RAV4 is bigger, more powerful than ever

It's getting tougher to call Toyota's entry-level, crossover sport utility vehicle -- the RAV4 -- a small SUV.

For 2006, Toyota officials lengthened the RAV4 by more than a foot, from bumper to bumper, and widened the vehicle by 3 inches over its 2005 predecessor.

Now 15 feet long, including the spare tire carrier on the back, the RAV4 is just 3.5 inches shorter than the midsize Toyota Highlander SUV. The larger, 2006 RAV4 is the first offered with optional third row seating, so drivers can carry six other passengers, if need be.

The third-generation RAV4 also is the first available with a V-6 besides the base four-cylinder engine. The new, 269-horsepower, 3.5-liter engine is a shorter stroke version of the 4-liter V-6 that's in Toyota's larger 4Runner SUV.

But prices also have been going up for the RAV4, though the base RAV4 remains the Toyota SUV with the lowest starting price.

Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $20,905 for a base, 2006 RAV4 with front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engine. This base model includes automatic transmission, manual air conditioning, remote keyless entry, traction control and stability control as well as tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

The lowest-priced RAV4 with the new V-6 is a base 4x2 starting at $22,940.

But the top 2006 RAV4 -- a 4x4 Limited -- starts at a considerable $26,475 and seems to push the envelope for an entry-level SUV. It comes with dual-zone air conditioning and chrome grille, but still leaves buyers to pay $2,400 for optional leather-trimmed seats, curtain air bags and the additional third row. Thus, this RAV4 price can rise to a lofty $29,000.

Competitors include the 2006 Honda CR-V, which starts at $20,945 for a base, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder model, and the 2007 Ford Escape, which starts at $19,805 for a base, front-wheel drive model with four-cylinder engine.

Neither the CR-V nor Escape offer third-row seating. The CR-V, which is being revamped as a new generation model for 2007, is not offered with a V-6.

The 2007 Escape with V-6 starts at $23,770.

Over the years, the RAV4 has been a noteworthy compact SUV, garnering attention for its awards and quality. This year, Consumer Reports magazine declared the new-generation RAV4 "our highest-rated small SUV" with predicted reliability of "very good."

Criticized by some auto critics in its early years as being a cute, little SUV that appealed to women, the new, more substantial RAV4 is likely to appeal to both sexes.

Styling is not fussy, but streamlined. Toyota stylists even eliminated some outer molding pieces from around the door glass and windshield for improved aerodynamics and less wind noise.

With a new platform underneath and revised MacPherson strut suspension, the RAV4 rides comfortably and still handles tidily.

The turning circle, for example, is as little as 34.8 feet. There are cars that have larger turning circles than this.

There was no truckish, heavy feeling in the test RAV4 with V-6, and passengers mostly noticed only slight impacts from road bumps.

The ride felt a bit stiff, though, and the 17-inch, Yokohama tires on the Limited model transferred considerable road noise into the passenger cabin.

Wind noise was less than in previous RAV4s, but I kept staring at the odd look of the center dashboard, where some controls looked like afterthoughts.

Second row seats slide back and forth on tracks, so if everyone in the RAV4 compromises some on legroom, there can be decent room for third-row riders. But the third row rests on the vehicle floor, so when I sat back there, my knees were up near my chest.

The RAV4 rear suspension is redone with shock absorbers positioned diagonally so cargo space isn't constrained. Maximum space back there, with second- and third-row seats folded down, is a generous 73 cubic feet.

But in trying to carry a long ladder, I realized the front seatback of the RAV4 doesn't fold forward, the way it does in some other SUVs so really long items can be problematic.

With V-6 power, the RAV4 now can tow larger trailers. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds -- the same as for the Highlander.

The V-6's 269 horses are tops in the segment, even surpassing the 265 horsepower in Nissan's Xterra SUV that's much heavier than the car-based RAV4.

Power came on quickly in the RAV4 tester, allowing me to merge into traffic gaps with ease. Torque is an ample 246 foot-pounds at 4,700 rpm and I could squeal the tires at times.

But Toyota officials expect most RAV4s will be sold with the slightly revised, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that puts out 5 more horsepower than last year, or 166 horses, and 165 foot-pounds of torque.

The V-6-powered RAV4 fuel economy rating from the federal government isn't as low as you might think. The rating of 22 miles a gallon in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway for a 4x2 model compares with the 20/24-mpg rating of a 2006 Escape 4x2 with V-6.

The 2006 RAV4 earned the top five out of five stars in all but one part of the government's crash testing. The RAV4 got four out of five stars for front passenger protection in a frontal crash.

I just wish that curtain air bags were standard safety equipment on all RAV4s.

Also be aware that anyone loading the cargo area has to walk around the tailgate door that opens curbside.

Curious about what RAV4 means? Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel-drive.