2011 Toyota RAV4

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 can be had in three trims - Base, Sport, and Limited - with the range kicking off $22,475 for the Base and going all the way up to $28,785 for the Limited. The trims’ features list is rather expansive, with the Base trim being well-equipped for the price. From the 2011 model year, this trim can also be equipped with Upgrade Value Package that adds in various features like a six-disc CD changer, XM Satellite Radio, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. There are many other packages as well which group various other features to make the RAV4 a more lucrative offer. 

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Given all the features on offer, the RAV4 is the best had in the Sport trim wherein all the necessary features are added on. Since there are two engines on offer, the V6 fits the bill better due to the higher power output and the effortless nature irrespective of the powertrain. 

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 is available with two engines - a 2.5L Inline-4 as the base and a 3.5L V6 as optional across the range. The base 2.5L engine is capable of producing 179 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque whereas the bigger engine produces 269 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque. Both the engines can be had in an FWD as well as a 4WD configuration. The base engine is paired to a 4-speed ECT automatic gearbox while the bigger engine gets the same gearbox but with a 5-speed setup. 

Both the engines are very smooth units that are very capable off-road as well, with the V6’s extra grunt being a welcome addition. Both the gearboxes complement their respective engines well, while the suspension setup ensures a smooth drive both in the city and out on the highway. While on a highway drive, the cabin is quiet, and the noise is canceled well. 

The RAV4’s higher output does lend it an advantage in the acceleration, both to 60 MPH and to the quarter-mile as well. The 4-speed transmission on the base engine proves to be super smooth and also helps in shifting seamlessly, providing the peak torque at comparatively lower RPMs for a better launch. The top speed of the RAV4 remains the highest, only to be matched by the Escape. The 2011 Nissan Rogue assumes the second position in the segment in terms of acceleration clocking 8.9 seconds to the 60mph mark, where the Toyota shines taking 8.2 seconds, only.

Out of the two engines available on the 2011 Toyota RAV4, the smaller engine does help when fuel economy is taken into consideration, with an EPA estimated figure of 22 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, for a combined figure of 24 MPG from its 15.9-gallon fuel tank. The surprise comes with the bigger engine wherein the EPA-estimated figure remains at 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway, for a combined of 21 MPG. The upgrade to a bigger engine and increased output is well-worth in terms of the fuel efficiency on offer. 

The base engine on the RAV4 is as frugal as the competition, with the exception of the Rogue’s impressive figures that are rated 16% better than the RAV4’s. That said, the RAV4’s bigger tank does give it an advantage over the Nissan but brings in second-in-line when compared to the Mitsubishi Outlander that has a 4.4% bigger tank for more range. 

The 2011 Toyota RAV4’s interior can be best described as practical with plenty of space in the cabin along with sturdy materials and hard plastics covering most of what the occupants can see. The door panels have soft-touch materials in the armrest with some of them present in the center armrest and some on the dashboard as well. There are a lot of cubby spaces inside to aid with the practicality of carrying small items on a daily basis. 

Talking of the seats, they’re very supportive and do come with very soft upholstery on the base trim, which can be upgraded to leather via the Premium package that also adds in various features like an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and power lumbar support. Some packages like the Upgrade Value package also bring in upgraded cloth upholstery and steering-mounted stereo controls. 

In terms of space, the RAV4’s cabin provides the most space inside with class-leading headroom and shoulder room in the front row. The one thing where Nissan Rogue one-ups the RAV4 is the legroom, that it has more but feels similarly spacious. In terms of cargo capacity, the RAV4 can carry the most load, making it a very ideal for long-distance travel, with the Mitsubishi Outlander matching its prowess having a trunk volume of 36.2 cubic feet. The interior is decently comfortable and has a rugged appeal, with some of the highlighting features beings:

• Cloth upholstery
• Full power accessories
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• height-adjustable driver seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Keyless ignition/entry
• Optional sunroof
• Optional privacy glass

Infotainment system

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 comes with a premium audio system that has features like AUX jack, XM radio, and CD player, as standard. Higher trims get features like a six-disc CD changer and satellite radio that enhance the music experience further by a lot. The standard speaker setup is a six-speaker one which is upgradable to a 10-speaker setup on the higher trims. The display is a basic one and shows the radio channel tuned in to and also the track currently playing. The stereo can be controlled via the buttons on the center console or via steering-mounted controls, available as options. That said, some of the highlighting features are:

• Six-speaker stereo
• Six-disc CD changer
• Auxiliary audio jack
• Satellite radio
• XM radio
• Optional premium nine-speaker JBL stereo 
• Optional Bluetooth

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 looks well-built and rugged right from the get-go, with muscular body lines and a heavy stance. The front houses the headlights with the front grille and a color-matched front bumper that also houses extra vents and a couple of fog lights. The sides have visible arches and the cladding adds a tough look to the overall theme of the crossover. At the rear, the most visible characteristic is the hatch-mounted spare wheel that adds to the rugged characteristic, while the Sport trim’s spare-wheel delete does give a refreshing look. 

The RAV4 weighs in the lightest of the segment and the compact dimensions do help in city maneuverability, while the shorter wheelbase of 104.7 inches helps in off-road situations as well. The compact dimensions and the higher ground clearance of 7.5 inches also help in negating the discrepancies on the road, making the overall drive smooth. The competitors like the Ford Escape enjoy a higher clearance of 7.9 inches, while the Nissan gets the best wheelbase of 106.5 inches. That said, the RAV4’s exterior styling is simple and doesn’t have complex lines which are also highlighted by the following features:

• 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels
• Roof rails
• Hard-shell cover
• Heated mirrors
• Chrome exterior details
• Sunroof

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 does have all the necessary safety features that are expected of a car in this segment while the excellent crash-test ratings are a testament to the build quality and the overall functioning of the safety aids on offer. Some of the features on offer include cruise control, emergency trunk release, LATCH anchors, and a collapsible steering column. That said, some of the highlighting safety features on offer include:

• Tire pressure monitor system
• Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 
• Brake assist
• Smart stop technology
• Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD)
• Vehicle stability control (VSC)
• Traction control (TRAC)

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 is the perfect crossover for someone who’s into a reliable crossover that can do hundreds of thousands of miles while being super comfortable for long drives and carrying potent off-road capability. The base engine is pretty powerful for daily drives but the bigger V6 provides better performance on the highway and also being pretty fuel-efficient for its class.