2006 Toyota RAV4 User Reviews

Pros

Ergonomics, fuel economy, handling

Cons

Road Noise

Purchased As Used

This is an amazing vehicle. It has plenty of storage and a place for everything. It handles well in snow and mud and has plenty of ground clearance for any reasonable road obstacle. It is very comfortable to drive, gets 23 to 24 mpg with street tires (slightly less with all terrain tires). I have had my car for 45K miles and no problems at all, just scheduled maintainance....read morehide

Pros

Best gas milege SUV, very reliable, very safe

Cons

Slow acceleration, little bit to loud on freeway

I had my RAV for almost 4 years, and never regret that I bought it. It has best gas milege for SUV except Hybrids. If the size is matter and you don't care how much you spend on gas every month go for Sequia or Hamer and good luck to you. RAV is a small SUV, and that was perfect for me. I am single mom who does a lot of home improvements, and I never had a problem to transport something from Home Depot, and I still could park this car in compact parking spaces.
Even it is SUV it feels and rides like a car, but still great on rough mountain roads. The acceleration is little bit slow, but it is not a racing car after all. I liked the full 3d seat belt on the back seats.
I was in car accedent in this car: hit solid rock wall at 45mph and flip to the side. I had not a single scrach or bruse, that surprised paramedics a lot, but that tell me something about that car.
Anyway now I am shopping for new vehicle, guess which one it is going to be......read morehide

no mention of price over 27,000.00/16 miles to the gallon/rather rough ride/my experience on my 2007 ltd. rav4

good guel economy and it has a really cool shape and is really comfortable yeah

Pros

Nice looking, good ride, interior nice

Cons

Gas mileage just under 25 on a 4 cylinder, speakers hard to hear quality, blinds spots

I am just not impressed with the mileage on this 4 cylinder car. I keep hoping for improvement, but nothing yet. Not as impressed with this auto as I have been with other Toyota products.

Pros

functionality, responsiveness, reliability

Cons

tire noise at higher speeds is more than I would like. Minimal passenger seat adjustment

My wife has worked at a Toyota dealer for more than 20 years; we got a smokin deal, so we never looked at the competition. The RAV is for my wife to haul around our grandsons, but I like driving it as much as my 5 series BMW.

Drive by wire throttle and electronic controlled transmission take just a little getting used to.

In very congested NVa. driving we get 19/21 - even with oxygenated winter fuel, and a very active cold start enrichment system. I expect mpg to improve, but A/C use may offset somewhat.
We never go over 70 on the highway, so we see 28+ mpg regularly. We use 89 octane (top tier fuel) because at 10.8 to 1 compression, the knock sensors/ECU are busy detuning the engine on anything less.

As a whole, it's a great multipurpose vehicle; it tries to do a lot of things well, which it does, but you must expect trade-offs. A firmer ride, a bit of road noise, etc.

People that complain of gas mileage must have a lead foot....read morehide

Pros

Good Fuel Economy, GREAT IN SNOW

Cons

Limited should come standard with Leather Seats

This car has great fuel economy, I can fill up one time and it lasts a good week+. It is great in the snow! Used to drive a Jimmy SLT before this and I think the RAV4 handles better in the snow that the Jimmy did! Just very impressed with the whole package. Would have expected to see the Limited with Leather Seats and not cloth. Still very happy with it though....read morehide

The very first moment i was about to drive this car out of the showroom, i already had trouble starting the darn engine only to realize it was out of gas. 5 months after, I have been in and out of Toyota trying to have some weird rattling sound get fixed. They said it has something to do with the steeing shaft and they need to replace it. Unfortunately they have to order the darn defective part in Japan , thus i have to wait for 45 days before they can fix it. To make matters worse, the sound worsens every passing day and im worried to death that i might lose control of the steering wheel as im cruising down at break neck speed. Still the mechanics and them geniuses at Toyota insists its still safe to drive. It just burns me inside to pay for something that cost this much and have some steering noise everytime i make even a slight turn of the wheel. Frankly, I wished I bought a Nissan Murano instead. If somebody out there have the same problem as i have.. pls shed some light on my plight....read morehide

Pros

Excellent pick up--smooth riding, very quiet cabin, great cup holders!!

Cons

Accelerator a bit too sensitive...not a really bad thing but...gas mileage is lower than I expecte

I trade my 2006 BMW 325xi in for this and I am not at all sorry! This is a terrific car, good electronics without the confusion of the BMW Idrive ..much better ride, just as good acceleration. Very nice finish...I don't miss the lousy German cup holders either!! It's a winner.

Pros

stability,cargo capacity, road clearance

Cons

noise, windsheild wipers don't defrost

I don't like this car---I LOVE it. I had a 2004 RAV4 and it doesn't compare to this one. I am having problems when there is ice on my windshied --getting it off, and the wipers becoming pliable enough to funtion well. I would like more room in the front to put my purse and I would prefer a tailgate rear door like the Honda Element for hauling long pieces....read morehide