2009 Toyota RAV4 Review – Prices, Photos & Specifications. Features for 2009 include a moderate facelift!

The Toyota 2009 RAV4 has a fairly modest update with this model. Most notable is the exterior with a new look grille, front bumper and restyled rear. New wheels, mirrors and fender flares fihish out the upgrades. A new Sporty Package is also available on the top model 4WD V6 RAV4 that gets a unique rear door with no spare tire and a set of run-flat tires. Toyota has increased the size and power of the RAV4’s base four-cylinder engine while achieving out a bit better fuel economy. With an estimated 22 city and 28 highway, the new front-wheel-drive base model goes one mile per gallon higher than the ‘08 model. The larger 2.5-liter four cylinder engine makes a healthy 179 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, an very decent improvement of 13 horses and 7 lb-ft over the 2.4-liter it replaces. Toyota opted for a brand new automatic tranny in the ‘09 RAV4 with only four ratios from which to choose.

The optional 3.5-liter V6 remains unchanged and offers EPA fuel mileage ratings of 19 city/27 highway for front-wheel drive models and 19 city/26 highway on models equipped with four-wheel drive. The six cylinder is matched to a standard five speed auto. Pricing for the base RAV4 remains the same at $21,500 while the rest of the range gets price increases and a 4WD RAV4 LTD V6 will start at $27,810.

Exterior
Aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto-off feature     
Aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps with blackout sport trim and auto-off feature     
Aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto on/off feature     
LED taillamps and stop lamps     
Integrated fog lamps     
Automatic Limited-Slip Differential
Chrome-accented grille     
Color-keyed front and rear bumpers     
Black foldable power outside mirrors     
Color-keyed foldable power heated outside mirrors with turn-signal indicators     
Color-keyed full-size combination hard/soft outside spare tire cover     
Color-keyed full-size hard-shell outside spare tire cover     
Color-keyed fender flares     
Color-keyed rear spoiler with center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL)     
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wiper     
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade     
High solar energy-absorbing (HSEA) glass     
Rear privacy glass  /  
Roof-mounted antenna with integrated XM  antenna and prewire     
Black door handles     
Color-keyed door handles     
Color-keyed back door handle     
Black grille
Electronic On-Demand 4WD with 4WD manual lock switch     
Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)   
Downhill Assist Control (DAC)   
Sport-tuned suspension (springs and shock absorbers)     
16-in. steel wheels and wheel covers with P215/70R16 tires and full-size spare tire on 16-in. steel wheel      
17-in. 5-spoke styled steel wheels with 225/65R17 tires and full-size spare tire on 17-in. steel wheel  /   
17-in. 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P225/65R17 tires and full-size spare tire on 17-in. steel wheel     
17-in. 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P225/65R17 tires and full-size spare tire on 17-in. steel wheel     
18-in. 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P235/55R18 tires and full-size spare tire on 18-in. alloy wheel     
Side-opening rear door with hold-open feature     
Unique rear door with chrome accents     
Rear window electric defogger with timer and intermittent wiper     
Rear-step bumper protector     
Black roof rails and cross bars  /   
Tow Prep Package (V6 models only) with 3500-lb. towing capacity — includes upgraded radiator, fan coupling and alternator

17-in. 5-spoke styled steel wheels with P225/65R17 tires and full-size spare tire on 17-in. steel wheel  /   
17-in. 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P225/65R17 tires and full-size spare tire on 17-in. steel wheel     
Tonneau cover with multi-purpose cargo net with support poles      
AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3/WMA capability, integrated XM Satellite Radio receive (includes 90-day trial subscription) and six speakers     
Black roof rails and cross bars  /   
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)  /   
Fabric-trimmed 50/50 Split & Stow 3rd Row™ seats with fold-flat-into-floor capability and height-adjustable headrests   
JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated XM Satellite Radio receiver [1] (includes 90-day trial subscription), MP3/WMA capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth and nine speakers (includes subwoofer)      
Touch-screen DVD navigation system with AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, satellite radio capability  and six speakers     
Integrated backup camera linked to an electrochromic mirror with integrated backup camera monitor     
Auto on/off headlamps     
Fabric-trimmed 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, height adjustment and seatback pocket     
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade     
     
PACKAGES
 
Premium Package — includes leather seating surfaces and 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat with power lumbar support and driver and front passenger multi-stage seat heaters     
Sport Appearance Package (V6 4WD only)  — includes one-year extended XM Satellite Radio complimentary subscription (in lieu of 90-day trial subscription), unique rear door with chrome accents, run-flat tires, unique RAV4, Sport, and V6 badging, stainless steel exhaust tip, color-keyed foldable power heated outside mirrors with turn-signal indicators, leather-wrapped shift knob with stainless steel insert, chrome interior door handles, parking brake tip and vent trim, and unique doorsill covers (deletes four standard tires, spare tire, spare tire cover from rear of vehicle and black rear bumper slip protector)     
Tow Prep Package [8] (V6 models only) with 3500-lb. towing capacity — includes upgraded radiator, fan coupling and alternator     
Base Extra Value Package (4-cylinder models only) (savings of up to $570) — includes 17-in. 5-spoke styled steel wheels with P225/65R17 tires and full-size spare tire on 17-in. steel wheel, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), black roof rails and cross bars, and rear privacy glass (on rear side, quarter and rear door window)     
Base Extra Value Package (V6 models only) (savings of up to $570) — includes Daytime Running Lights (DRL), black roof rails and cross bars, and rear privacy glass (on rear side, quarter and rear door window)     
Sport Extra Value Package (savings of up to $1000) — includes Daytime Running Lights (DRL), black roof rails and cross bars, power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade, AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated XM Satellite Radio receiver (includes 90-day trial subscription), MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers     
Limited Extra Value Package #1 (savings of up to $2000) — includes Daytime Running Lights (DRL), power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade, JBL® AM/FM 6-disc CD changer with integrated XM Satellite Radio receiver (includes 90-day trial subscription), MP3/WMA playback capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® and nine speakers (includes subwoofer), and Premium Package (includes leather seating surfaces, 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, driver and front passenger heated seats and 120V AC power outlet)     
Limited Extra Value Package #2 (savings of up to $2000) — includes Daytime Running Lights (DRL), power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade, touch-screen DVD navigation system with XM NavTraffic® capability AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, satellite radio capability [1], six speakers and Premium Package (includes leather seating surfaces, 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, driver and front passenger heated seats and 120V AC power outlet)

Specifications

2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve SFI Dual VVT-i 4-cylinder; 179 hp @ 6000 rpm/172 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm     
3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve SFI Dual VVT-i V6; 269 hp @ 6200 rpm/246 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm     
Emission Rating     
Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II)     
Ignition     
Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)      
Transmission     
4-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive (ECT)     
5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive (ECT)     
Body Construction     
Unitized body     
Drivetrain     
Front engine front-wheel drive     
Electronic On-Demand 4-wheel drive (4WD)     
Suspension     
Front: Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar and hydraulic shock absorbers     
Rear: Double-wishbone coil spring rear suspension with trailing arms and hydraulic shock absorbers and stabilizer bar (Sport model gets tuned shocks and springs)     
Steering     
Electric power steering (EPS): power-assisted rack-and-pinion with electronic power-assist     
Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.) (16-in. and 17-in. wheels/18-in. wheels)  34.8/NA   
Brakes     
Power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes with 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist      
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)  with Traction Control (TRAC)     
Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)      
Downhill Assist Control (DAC)