Faults:

Initially, the four wheel alignment was off and I had to replace all four tires after 5000 miles. The Toyota company paid to replace three of them, but not the fourth. I felt the dealership should have pitched in for the fourth tire.

After 65000 miles the coil packs started going bad, and I had to replace all three of them during the next 35000 miles.

The V6 engine is great, and I wish they would have carried it over to the 2013 RAV4 models.

General Comments:

V6 engine is great, and the truck handles and rides pretty well.

The interior sound is a bit loud, and the standard sound system stinks.

Faults:

(1) The Fujitsu-made audio system was soon to be out of order. Replaced with a new one. No problem after that though.

(2) Occasionally it smells bad, something burning. I need to open the windows to drive out the smell.

(3) Given that it's just 4-cyl, it may not be a problem. Yet, it lacks enough power when it climbs up the hills. Quite noisy and dull.

(4) A little noisy on the highway (not so comfortable for a long and high-speed driving). The surface noise comes in. Wind noise has developed recently, at around 35,000km.

General Comments:

There are several problems stated above with my 4-cyl limited Rav4.

Still, it's a reliable car overal. Especially I like the agility or exactness of the steering wheel. The simple instrument panel design is also my favorite.

It's not good enough to make me the a fan of Rav4 or Toyota. However I may recommend it to others, since no car is perfect.

Faults:

Nothing so far, other than the simple hood adjustment mentioned in the previous 2006 RAV-4 review.

General Comments:

My three-person family just took a 1500-mile round-trip vacation in our 2006 RAV-4, AWD V-6 Sport. I had to write this review because the vehicle was fantastic throughout the entire trip! The RAV was comfortable, roomy, held our entire luggage for a week-long jaunt (without blocking the back window view and without even using the roof rack!), got incredible gas mileage (26.6 mpg at average 80 mph highway speed) and just drove flawlessly on the mountain roads (with the downhill assist control and push-button lockable AWD). Just awesome!

I was amazed that after 12 hours on the road in a single day, I was not fatigued at all from the driver's seat! The RAV had ridiculous passing power, with "fighter jet, afterburner-like" thrust from the 270 hp V-6. Spend your hard-earned money on the V-6 RAV! You'll love it. I guarantee it!

Faults:

The hood was wiggling up and down (By the smallest of margins) at speed on the interstate. All that was needed was an under-hood adjustment of the cylindrical rubber bump-stops near the top engine frame in the underhood compartment. I did the adjustment myself and did not have to go to the dealer.

General Comments:

Availability of the V-6 RAV: It was difficult to get exactly what you wanted and the South East U.S. regional dealer admin fee of $693.00 was absurd! That's in addition to haggling over all the other local dealer fees and using invoice cost to work from. We paid $800 over invoice cost, plus tax, tag, and title fees.

The AWD V-6 Sport is very, very quick. It's faster than the VR-6, VW Jetta 6-speed we traded in (Which is a quick car!). It makes for effortless punch on the highway (passing maneuvers, or merging). Before you know it, you'll be doing 80 mph.

The RAV is very comfortable. Even with the 18-inch rims and tires plus "Sport" suspension. Tire noise, depending on road surface, does intrude slightly into the cabin, but is easily drowned out by the stereo. We got 22.8 mpg in the city recently with the 3.5 Liter V-6!!! That's great!

This vehicle will probably win a lot of SUV awards in 2007 as it is very practical, roomy, fun, fuel efficient, and the exterior dimensions are not large.

Faults:

No problems to report!

General Comments:

The V6 is incredibly quick and definitely doesn't lack any "get up and go". The 5-Speed transmission really helps keep the car running efficiently and quietly... and of course helps on the gas mileage!

I have the 17 inch tires on it and they ride very nice... there is also moderate to little wind noise and would be less I'm sure if it wasn't so windy around here in the last few days!

It has TONS of space in the back - it will definitely serve its purpose when it comes to trips! The back row of seats is comfortable and conveniently fold down to create even more room in the back!

I like all the safety features and the fact that it has a low field of gravity, making roll-overs less likely.

Overall, I love the car and after 100 miles on mine and 2 other test drives, I can't complain!