Toyota RAV4 a Fun Drive in Tight Traffic, Good All-around Crossover

On a recent trip to Los Angeles I had the opportunity to drive a 2010 Toyota RAV4 for three days, courtesy of a car rental. I found it fun to drive in tight traffic and outfitted with good amenities for the price range. The fuel economy seemed to be at least as good as rated, and the ride was comfortable.

If you have ever driven the freeways of the Los Angeles area, you know they can be a challenge, especially when traffic is at the edge of gridlock. Just before everything starts really getting slow, traffic is heavy, but moving fast. That's when L.A. freeways are fun to drive. The Toyota RAV4 is great for those circumstances.

I found the response quick and the handling nimble for a small SUV. Most of the time, they perform like their larger cousins. The difference was refreshing. Visibility is good all around, making parking easy.

The 2011 model is virtually unchanged from the 2010, once again offering the base, sport, and limited editions. My rental was the sport. With a starting MSRP of 23,725, it's more affordable than might be expected. With a mileage rating of 22 city and 28 highway, you won't have to break the bank to take a road trip.

The RAV4 comes with either a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine or a 3.5 liter V6. Unless planning on towing, the 4 cylinder model, which I drove, seems to have plenty of power for almost all driving needs. If you will be towing, there is a 3500 lb. rated tow package available for V6 models.

The interior, while more spartan than top-end SUV offerings, is sufficient. Options include 6 disc CD changer, satellite radio, Bluetooth compatibility, roof rack, moon roof, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and touch-screen DVD navigation.

The 2012 RAV4 will have some design changes, possibly including a hybrid drive train. On the really exciting fuel economy front, the "Phase Zero" RAV4 EV Prototype is currently on the road for testing. Promising real driving range of 100 miles or more, it could be the ideal vehicle for getting around a city like Los Angeles.

The Phase Zero is shooting for engine performance comparable to the RAV4 with the V-6 engine. The electric motor used for the Phase Zero is designed by Tesla, the company behind the Tesla Roadster.

I like the Toyota product, and currently own a 2009 Tacoma. When it comes time to make our next automobile purchase, the Toyota RAV4, and especially the RAV4 EV, will most definitely be under consideration.