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2009 Toyota RAV4 |
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Price Range $21,500 to $27,810 |
suitable for:
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19 to 22 |
26 to 28 |
5 Seats |
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Safety
Some manly men like dangerous stuff. This might explain why the men I know have classified the RAV4 as a chick car - because it’s safe. The 2009 RAV4 was named a Top Safety Pick for 2009 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn this distinction, a car must receive Good ratings—the highest possible—in front, side and rear crash tests, and offer electronic stability control, which is standard on the ’09 RAV4.
The RAV4 also has standard traction control, antilock brakes, active head restraints for the front seats and child-safety locks. It has front, side and side curtain airbags for both rows. I also really liked the optional backup camera and daytime running lights on my test car.
In the backseat, the Latch connectors are easy to locate and use. The top tether anchors, however, are totally confounding because they’re at the bottom of the seat backs. I had to fold the rear seats (which fold flat with one hand, incidentally) to access the anchor, then put the seat back in its regular position to finish the installation. Weird. This seems to counter Toyota’s normal attention to detail in the family friendliness department.
FAMILY LIFESTAGE
In Diapers: The top tether anchors were incredibly difficult to access. If you can work around that, you’ll have all kinds of room for child-safety seats.
In School: There’s enough room to keep kids comfortable.
Teens: The room in the backseat is good for teens; this could be a good first car for teens and college students.
shopping around: At cars.com
safety: Ratings
Front, Passenger's |  |
Front, Driver's |  |
Other, Rollover Resistance | |
Side, Rear Seat | |
Side, Front Seat | |
Rear overall test | {Good} |
Front overall test | {Good} |
Side overall test | {Good} |
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