About 15 years ago, Toyota’s RAV4 was considered to be this cute little “ute” that made everybody go, “Ewww…you call THAT an SUV?” Well, it may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but at least you really get what you paid for; really. The Toyota RAV4 from the 1990s to the 2000s was considered to be everyone’s “commuter” SUV since they cannot afford to purchase a midsize SUV such as a Toyota 4Runner or a large SUV like the Toyota Land Cruiser. The RAV4 can get you the most gas mileage conservation in its class. Fast forward to 2010, and it seems like the RAV4 had been all grown up. The wheelbase is a lot longer, which is a plus for the consumer if he or she wants more rear legroom for his or her rear passengers; which is not to say, the 2010 RAV4 seats five passengers comfortably. Here is some unknown trivia for you: Did you know that for 2010 the Toyota RAV4 has an optional 3rd row seat for both the base and Limited models? The vehicle also has a swing-out rear door for easy cargo access instead of a regular swing-up hatch like most SUVs have. The redesigned RAV4 comes with two engines for 2010. There is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT-i, which produces 179 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 172 lb-ft. of torque at just 4000 rpm. A new V6 engine is all-new for 2010 which also has VVT-i, 263 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 246 lb-ft. of torque at 4700 rpm. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive control is standard for 4-cylinder RAV4’s, and a 5-speed automatic with overdrive control is standard for the V6’s. Straight-line acceleration may not be the 4-cylinder RAV4’s “4”-te (forté—never mind), but the V6 models can pounce up to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds; not bad for a compact SUV. Features such as cloth seats, power windows, door locks, air-conditioning, and 16-inch wheels are standard on the base RAV4’s while the Sport and Limited models get a little bit more bells and whistles. The Sport model comes with a chromium shifter, black sport fabric seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Limited comes with available leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped around 225/65R17 tires, and all RAV4’s come with optional aftermarket BLU-Logic Bluetooth, and a standard auxiliary jack for your iPod. Safety features cannot be skimped on the RAV4 when it comes with such features like Electronic Brake Distribution and 4-wheel ABS brakes. Vehicle Stability Control and traction control helps the car stay “on track” during inclement weather such as rainy days. Active front headrests are standard as well as a bunch of airbags to keep both the driver and his or her passengers safe in an event of a collision. So, now you tell me: Is the RAV4 considered a wimpy kid on the block? With the Honda CR-V and the Nissan Rogue, there is really no competition. The Toyota RAV4 is the only SUV in its class to offer an available V6 engine. Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11