You'll forget the funky design outside once you're inside the RAV4. You'll quickly notice Toyota's traditional attention to quality and safety. Its cockpit is more like a sporty sedan, with a new three-spoke steering wheel. Unibody construction
lowers the step-in height, making it easier to get in and out, yet it carries a higher ride height than a sedan for
traversing obstacles.
The sloping hood and generous greenhouse front and rear make visibility excellent. Our only caveat on the visibility score
is the tailgate-mounted spare, which blocks rear vision just a bit.
Door trim panels are freshened and four-door models receive upgraded fabric trim. Cloth seats are contoured and comfortable
and controls and gauges are well located. The revised instrument cluster incorporates a digital odometer and dual trip
meter and upgraded radio features.
Our test car had full carpeting with carpeted floor mats. Standard are dual outside mirrors, intermittent front and rear
wipers and a rear window defogger. Front door pockets provide storage, while dual cupholders are integrated into the lower