30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Heading West
Our 30-Day 2013 Ram 1500 has made its way safely to our Little Rock bureau. If you're following our... Read More
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“modern-rugged theme”
“contemporary but conventional good looks”
“organic, two-tier dash”
“no longer a cute ute”
STYLING | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
“modern-rugged theme”
Cars.com
“contemporary but conventional good looks”
Kelley Blue Book
“organic, two-tier dash”
Car and Driver
“no longer a cute ute”
MyRide.com
The 2008 Toyota RAV4 is fresh and inoffensive on the outside, polarizing and modern on the inside.
“Toyota says the third-generation RAV4's exterior styling follows a ‘modern-rugged theme,’” reports Cars.com. Kelley Blue Book decides this makes it “more substantial and less 'cute'” than the previous generation, but discovers that typically clean, play-it-safe Toyota styling is the rule, with the exception of “the triangular rear C-pillar and vertically-wrapped taillamps.” MyRide.com notes that “fewer superfluous curves and less cladding” than the previous RAV present “a more finished appearance.”
Toyota opts for carefully modern on the inside, with a sweeping two-tier dash whose “swollen protuberances at first look Jetson-ish,” says Car and Driver, “but in fact break up what would otherwise be a dull sea of plastic.” MyRide.com is critical, calling it a “horizontal gash running the width of the car,” and finds its only redeeming feature to be “a bi-level glove box.” Kelley Blue Book explains that “the center cluster, door trim and steering wheel spokes are brushed metallic-look plastic,” again lending the RAV4’s interior an air of modernity.
Conclusion
Once past a few avant-garde interior details, the 2008 Toyota RAV4’s styling comes off as successful and interesting.
