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2009 Toyota RAV4

How the 2009 Toyota RAV4 stacks up against the competition - by Nigel Cooper, Topanga, CA

Toyota RAV4 Review
2009 Toyota RAV4
Price Range: $21,500 - $27,810

Handling
With its tighter turning radius, the Toyota RAV4 is definitely more agile than the typical SUV, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; however, note that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The typical SUV's engine is tremendously more sizeable than the Toyota RAV4's. Keep in mind that more sizeable engines may use more gasoline than smaller ones. The Toyota RAV4 could learn a lesson or two from the typical SUV as far as pickup.

Utility
Drivers with frequent kid-duty might favor the Toyota RAV4 over the typical SUV. The typical SUV is likely a better choice than the Toyota RAV4 when it comes to hauling capacity, especially if you frequently need to carry a lot of equipment or massive animals. The average SUV outpulls the Toyota RAV4 by a big margin.

Convenience
The Toyota RAV4's fuel tank will need to be replenished more often than the unit in the typical SUV.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the RAV4 offers a bit more head room than the typical SUV, there frankly isn't much of a difference. While the rear of the Toyota RAV4 provides a bit more head- and leg-room than the typical SUV, there honestly isn't much of a difference.

Dimensions
The typical SUV is substantially heavier than the RAV4. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the typical SUV than the RAV4 because of its bigger tank. The Toyota RAV4 and the average SUV compete for the same parking spaces. The typical SUV's longer wheelbase will likely result in a smoother, more stable ride; however, the RAV4 may give a more maneuverable feel in daily traffic.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs about the same to get the RAV4 to the dealership as the average SUV. The Toyota RAV4 will save you money at the pump compared to the average SUV. The typical SUV will tax your gas budget substantially more than the Toyota RAV4 will. The typical SUV is tremendously more expensive than the Toyota RAV4 with respect to MSRP.

Overview
The basic after-sale protection that comes with the Toyota RAV4 isn't quite as generous as the typical SUV's.

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