We are seriosly considering the new RAV-4 to purchase next year. However, our current 2000 Venture tranny is making some strange noises and we are now considering a purchase in the near future. I have read quite a bit of info about this new model and loved it at the Auto Show. We are looking at either the base model or Sport model. Don't really want the moon roof nor any other expensive extras. Have two kids and a small dog so we are looking at this vehicle due to its a very good size and almost the same size as our Standard WB Venture. Love the Toyota high quality and it is a good looking vehicle. I guess what I am looking for are thoughts from others that may have already seriously looked at one and or bought something else or already bought one. The only thing I saw at the Auto Show that I did not like is the top glove box door seemed very cheap and looks like it could easily break. What do owners or people that have test drove it think of the 4 cylinder vs. the V6 ? I am sort of leaning to the 4 cyl due to high gas prices and we typically use it for in town flat city driving and no serious hauling. However, I do NOT want an underpowered 4 cyl like we had in our '94 Voyager. Any other comments on the '06 RAV-4 are greatly appreciated !

my family owns one. im the 17yo kid that drives it everywhere. We have the 4cyl base model with the optional 4x4. Overall i find the car to be a very good value at only 18K, my brother has an 03 model and hes put about 90K on it and it still runs like its only done 20K. Also the new Rav4 is the only one that is made 100% in Japan. Thats mainly why we bought it. as for the 4cyl it produces a good ammount of torque and horseys to pull you up a hill no problem.

i would say go for it :)

If I was going to buy I would get the V6 with 268 HP. 268 HP is pretty good for a V6 in my opinion.

If you're not a leadfoot, 4 cyl will do fine and also get 2mpg better city mileage than V6 according to Consumer Reports July 2006, 4 cyl got 17/29 and V6 got 15/29 mpg. The 4 cyl Chrysler uses in the minivans are underpowered except for all city driving.

I am a musclecar owner and I purchased the RAV4 with the V6 option on my '06 and I'll tell you that this engine "puts you in the seat". Very impressive acceleration and torque. The option also gets you the heavy-duty towing pkg. and tranny cooler. Better re-sale down the road too.

Just test drove RAV 4s with both engines yesterday. I was not impressed at all with the V6. If I buy one it'll have the 4 banger. Can't see blowing $2 grand for what you get.

0-60mph in 7 seconds......
I-4...166HP
V-6...269HP

Try pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy feeder road with a stampede of vehicles coming your way.... or merging onto the freeway, passing on a two-way road, etc.
$2K extra cost on a $25K vehicle?..... I'll take "MORE POWER"!!

Been driving 4 cyclinder engines for years. Never had a problem. Then again I don't have a huge ego to feed either. Can cost big bucks to keep it happy.

Me , I would wait in that parking lot till that stampede of vehicles went by then pull out nice and easy. I never feel the need to be in front of anybody on the road. Saves gas, wear and tear, and hospital bills.

Been driving 4 cyclinder engines for years. Never had a problem. Then again I don't have a huge ego to feed either. Can cost big bucks to keep it happy.
Me , I would wait in that parking lot till that stampede of vehicles went by then pull out nice and easy. I never feel the need to be in front of anybody on the road. Saves gas, wear and tear, and hospital bills.

ahhh, yes I see. I own a musclecar(s) so I am labeled an ego-manic!?! BBWAHAHAHAHAH. Nice try zeke!
YOU may not feel the need to be in front of anybody but most likely the driver putting around in the fast lane or driving with a phone in your ear......THAT impedes the flow of traffic.
Also, from the initial post from redtrain65, prefers a V6. Evidently from your earlier post, you have determined that the V6 is NOT your preference because you've driven 4 bangers for years.
I see you are VERY objective. LOL

:cheers:

Just bought a 2006 RAV4, V6, 4WD. The second tank of gas we're getting 25.5mpg in mixed driving, (highway and city), with the air on about 50% of the time. It hasn't been run in 4WD, other than the test drive. I'm curious what folks with the 4 cylinder are getting for mileage?

My wife and I just bought an 07 base model
Only options we got were roof rack and 17" styled steel wheels
Test drove both a V6 and the 2.4L 4cyl
IMHO the 4 cyl has plenty of power.
I was leaning toward the 6 cyl because I hate having a car that isn't able to get out of it's own way if asked to, but the V6 was almost scary fast and I didn't want my 16 and 17 year old sons driving it. It'll get to 60 without you even realizing it. I'm not an old fuddy dud, I have a Yamaha FZ1 motorcycle and it will get to 60 in just over 3 seconds and I've pushed it hard enough to pull a wheelie in third gear going 80mph, but that's not what I want in a family car.
Since the fuel economy isn't a noticible amount, It would have been easy to persuade me to go with the V6, but in the end we went with the 4cyl because it has more zip than our 04 Honda Civic and my 06 Tacoma (2.7L 4cyl) The 2.4L 4 cyclinder is based on one of the most proven engine designs in Toyota history. It's basically the same engine that was in my 1987 Toyota 4WD pick up, my 1998 Tacaoma and my 2006 Tacoma. They are all based on the 22R engine.:2cents:

Been driving 4 cyclinder engines for years. Never had a problem. Then again I don't have a huge ego to feed either. Can cost big bucks to keep it happy.

Me , I would wait in that parking lot till that stampede of vehicles went by then pull out nice and easy. I never feel the need to be in front of anybody on the road. Saves gas, wear and tear, and hospital bills.

Exactly!

Bought a 2006 RAV4 base model 4cyl new for the wife to drive on her 25 mile commute to work ... IMHO, this thing SUCKS!!!!
It can't get out of it's own way, the tranny won't downshift until you're all but stopped, and the Traction Control is WORTHLESS in the snow ... any other questions???