2008 Toyota RAV4

Even as competitors flood the already saturated “cute ute” SUV marketplace, the RAV4 remains the most popular of them all. Much credit goes to its most recent redesign, which abruptly transformed the RAV4 from a cute – but tiny and underpowered – SUV into the bigger, more powerful, seven-seater of today.

Some miss the simple fun of the old model, but there’s no debate that the new RAV4 can serve more demanding lifestyles. There’s Camry-size seating in the back row and a massive 73 cubic feet of cargo room. There’s even an optional third row that, while useless to adults, is a rare feature among compact SUVs. The RAV4 is also a little fun to drive – either with the 166-horsepower 4-cylinder or the super-fast 269-horsepower V6 – thanks to quick and communicative steering and a willing feel. And of course, there’s optional all-wheel-drive if you need it.

Still, it seems like Toyota misfired on a number of details. Its quest to make the RAV4 sporty resulted in a touchy gas pedal and a transmission that too often jerks down into lower gears. The interior has certain controls and materials that feel cheaper than anything in the Yaris, and the RAV4’s back seat is mounted unusually close to the floor. Not everyone favors the RAV4’s side-opening back door, either: it’s heavier to move and can be more of a daily hassle than a traditional upward-opening door.

There’s definitely more good than bad here, and the RAV4’s big V6 and third seat are important options to consider. Just remember that the RAV4 has lots of great company, and that little annoyances can make all the difference.

What’s new for the 2008 Toyota RAV4: No major changes.