2005 Toyota RAV4 2WD (Manual)

Performance: 2005 Toyota RAV4

Powertrain

The RAV4 is only available with one engine: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit that makes 161 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. It can be mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The optional autobox is smooth shifting, with quick downshifts. The DOHC engine ably motivates the 3,186-pound 4x4 RAV4 and is more than sufficient to propel two-wheel-drive models, which weigh 200 to 300 pounds less. Some buyers may be surprised at the lack of an available V-6, but the smallish RAV4 weighs less than most of its competition. The lightest Honda CR-V, for example, is more than 130 pounds heavier than the heaviest RAV4, and the Hyundai Santa Fe outporks the Toyota to the tune of anywhere from 360 to nearly 800 pounds. It's no wonder, then, that the Hyundai only comes with a V-6.

Behind the Wheel

The RAV4 is easy to drive, and, along with the Ford Escape, is one of the more nimble and sporting vehicles in its class. Its low center of gravity, carlike construction, and firm damping--which sufficiently suppresses body roll and allows for fairly aggressive cornering--combine to create an agile, sporty feeling. That firmness and short wheelbase, however, means that the RAV4 can get a little choppy over rough pavement. The brakes are vague and lack feel, and the low-effort pedal doesn't allow for an accurate assessment of remaining pedal travel. Vagueness also describes the on-center feel of the slow steering. Once you begin turning the wheel, the steering system becomes more communicative.