2010 Toyota Rav4

The Rav4 has certainly made a name for itself in the mid-size crossover SUV market. Benefits of these vehicles include a great V6 engine and an optional third row seat. There have been minor changes both inside and out for the 2010 Toyota Rav4 making it an even more refined vehicle. With room for possibly 7 people it is capable of acting like a full size SUV while retaining it's wonderful fuel economy. Compared with vehicles like the Ford Escape, the Rav4 has been more adept to change. The new model is probably one of the most modern looking in it's class.

Trim packages available include the Base, Sport and Limited. Front or all wheel drive is choice for all these packages along with either a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. Base models come with standard features like limited slip differentials on front drive models, AC, full power accessories, remote keyless entry, CD players, electric power driver seats, and cruise controls. Base models that have 4 wheel drive come with 17 inch alloy wheels that are only offered as optional equipment on 2 wheel drive models.

Sport packages have standard 18 inch alloy wheels. Other features include different exterior accents, suspension designed for highway driving, different location for spare tires than the rear door, run flat tires, heated mirrors, and leather steering wheels. As a mid-level package the Sport models offer enough amenities to compete with high-end models of vehicles like the Ford Escape and Chevy Trailblazer.

Limited Edition packages have a regularly tuned suspension system and are reduced back to 17 inch alloy wheels. they have heated mirrors as well, roof rails, remote ignition starters, dual climate controls, upgraded audio systems that have a 6 CD changer, and optional satellite radio. The limited edition is offered with the V6 engine only. Another set of interesting features for these packages is a hill start assist, and down hill start assist system to relieve the transmission.

It is important to note that all these vehicles were mainly designed for highway driving. Though they do have capable 4 wheel drive systems, they will fair better in poor conditions on the highway than in mud. Overall handling characteristics are very nice and offer a great ride quality and limited road noise.

The engines offered are a 2.5 liter four cylinder that give 179 horsepower and 172 pound feet of torque, and a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 269 horsepower and a whopping 246 pound feet of torque. The smaller engine gets a fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The larger engine comes in with 19 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. Outfitted with a towing package these vehicles can haul up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2010 Toyota Rav4 comes with standard safety features like traction control, front head restraints, stability control, front and side airbags, and full curtain airbags. In crash tests these vehicles received mixed reviews. In frontal crashes, drivers safety got a perfect score, while passenger safety only received 4 out of 5 stars. Side impact tests were rather similar as well, receiving mostly perfect scores.

Rav4 models have become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer very classy bodies and interiors, along with more than capable 4 wheel drive systems. As a city vehicle they are well adept for parking in small places, and can hold their own out in the country as well. Consumers looking for an all around vehicle capable of handling poor driving conditions, and hauling a decent sized family should really enjoy owning one of these renowned Toyota vehicles.

About the Author

Dan Legal is on the team that runs the used car for sale website LemonFree.com If you're in the market for give LemonFree.com a test drive today!

3 of the more fuel-efficient compact SUVs on the market

In the current economic conditions, many consumers have decided that fuel economy is one of the more important factors involved in the car buying process. For those interested in purchasing a used SUV in New Jersey, there are several models that can offer you the benefits of a larger family vehicle that won't hurt your wallet at the pump.

In 2005, several car manufactures began specializing in the compact sports utility vehicle. Three of the highest rated, most moderately priced SUVs that also have the best fuel economy include the Honda CR-V, the Toyota Rav4 and the Toyota Highlander.

The 2005 Honda CR-V is one of the more fuel-efficient SUVs in its class. It gets a respectable 23 miles per gallon in the city and a very solid 29 mpg on the highway, according to About.com.

The '05 model is equipped with Honda's four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine that is more than capable of competing with various sedans on the highway. With 160-horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, the CR-V is able to outperform most any compact SUV in its class, Edmunds.com reports.

Honda's 2005 CRV comes standard with an "intelligent" variable valve timing system called i-VTEC, which allows the engine to generate plenty of power while maintaining an impressive fuel economy. It offers class-leading interior space, yet drives more like a sedan than a larger family car.

"If you're looking for a reasonably priced, all-purpose vehicle with a sense of adventure and fine foul-weather capability, the CR-V is hard to beat," says the news source.

Just behind the CR-V in terms of fuel economy for a compact SUV is the Toyota Rav4, which gets 23 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The two-wheel drive, manual transmission model is even more fuel-efficient.

In 2005, the Rav4 was reequipped with a more powerful engine and received significant safety improvements.

The '05 model has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161-horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. Similar to the CR-V, the Rav4 comes standard with a variable valve timing system that boosts torque at low- and mid-range engine speeds.

Outfitted with four-wheel anti-lock brakes and side airbags for front passengers, outshines its competition in terms of standard safety features. In government crash tests, the Rav4 earned four out of five stars for frontal impact protection and a perfect grade for side impacts, according to Edmunds.

The Rav4 is the first car to win the Best Pick designation for both front and side impact tests.

"Intended for a life on pavement, the RAV4 really shines in this environment, where its taut suspension, quick steering and tight turning radius come together to produce one of the best-handling SUVs we've ever driven," says the news source.

For consumers interested in a mid-size SUV with a strong fuel economy, the 4-cylinder Toyota Highlander may be of interest.

Highlanders are available with a 230-horsepower V6, but the V4 model gets significantly more miles per gallon. City mileage ranges from 18-22 mpg, but the Highlander can get up to 27 mpg on the highway.

It is available with four-wheel-drive and can seat up to seven passengers. The '05 Highlander sits much higher than the Rav4 of CR-V and has considerably more interior space. It costs a bit more than some compact SUVs, but is fairly priced for its size, strong fuel efficiency and smooth ride.

"The Highlander is so darn smooth it encourages the driver to make every trip a pleasure for his or her passengers," says Phillip Powell from About.com.

About the Author

James Dunsford is a New Jersey used cars specialist for New Jersey Auto Auction