Before the term “crossover” became a common term in the American automotive lexicon, the Toyota RAV4 had arrived on the market for the 1996 model year combining the look of an SUV, the ride and handling of a car, and impressive fuel efficiency blended with weather-beating all-wheel-drive capability. Automotive historians can argue whether the RAV4 or the philosophically similar ’96 Subaru Outback was the first modern crossover SUV for sale in the U.S., but one thing’s for sure: they sparked a massive shift in consumer preference away from truck-based SUVs to more fuel efficient and better handling CUVs. Today’s Toyota RAV4 is much larger and more powerful than the original, and the current third-generation design arrived for the 2006 model year.

Changes to the 2009 Toyota RAV4 include:

• Restyled grille, front and rear bumpers, LED taillights, and wheels
• Revised interior fabrics
• Larger, more powerful, and more fuel efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
• New four-speed automatic transmission for four-cylinder engine, with uphill and downhill shift control
• Standard Smart Entry System on Limited models
• Standard side-signal mirrors on Limited models
• New active headrests on all models
• New integrated satellite radio available on all models
• New reversing camera option for Sport and Limited models
• New, lower-cost navigation system option for Sport and Limited models
• New Charcoal leather exclusive to Sport models
• New Sport Appearance Package for RAV4 V-6 with 4WD includes run-flat tires, redesigned tailgate without a spare tire, side signal mirrors, upgraded interior trim, and availability of an exclusive Elusive Blue Metallic paint color
• New Blizzard White Pearl paint, exclusive to the Limited model

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is available in Base, Sport, and Limited trim levels. Standard equipment on the RAV4 Base includes 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, a full-size spare tire mounted to the tailgate, folding power mirrors, air conditioning, a CD player with MP3/WMA playback, an auxiliary input jack, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, power windows with driver’s automatic up/down feature, remote keyless entry, and exterior temperature and average fuel economy displays.

The RAV4 Sport is easily identified by its 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, smoked headlamp trim, color-keyed exterior trim, and rear privacy glass. The RAV4 Sport also has a sport-tuned suspension, unique Charcoal fabric upholstery, and is offered with a greater variety of options than the Base model.

The Limited builds from the Base model with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, upscale color-keyed and chrome detailed exterior trim, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, privacy glass, and a roof rack. Inside, the Limited includes a Smart Key illuminated locking and push-button ignition system, dual-zone automatic climate control, an in-dash CD changer, a 90-day free trial to XM satellite radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a tonneau cover, and a cargo net.

Options are determined by trim level. Exclusive to the RAV4 Limited is a JBL audio system with integrated Bluetooth technology, as well as a 120-volt AC power outlet. Both the Limited and Sport models can be equipped with leather, navigation, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and a reversing camera. When equipped with 4WD and a V-6 engine, the RAV4 Sport can be ordered with a unique tailgate that removes the spare tire and replaces it with run-flat rubber. Options for Base models are limited to the basics: alloy wheels, privacy glass, roof rack, in-dash CD changer, and XM satellite radio. The Base and Limited models can also be equipped with a third-row seat that’s not offered in Sport trim.

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is equipped with one of two engines: a new-for-2009, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 179 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, or a 3.5-liter V-6 engine making 269 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. Either engine drives the front or all four wheels through an automatic transmission, with four speeds on models with the four-cylinder and five speeds on V-6 models. According to the EPA, the RAV4 four-cylinder gets 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway while the RAV4 V-6 gets 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Add 4WD, and the figures are 21/27 mpg for the four-cylinder, and 19/26 mpg for the V-6.

Our review vehicle, a RAV4 with two-wheel drive and the four-cylinder engine, averaged 23.2 mpg in mixed driving with a highway emphasis. Combined with the RAV4’s standard 15.9-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 365-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Toyota RAV4 includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for both rows of seats (when equipped with a third-row seat, this area is not protected by a side curtain airbag). Additionally, the RAV4 comes Toyota’s Star Safety System: four-wheel-disc ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, a stability control system; and traction control. The RAV4 Sport and Limited models are also available with a reversing camera, and all RAV4s with 4WD include Downhill Assist Control and Hill-start Assist Control.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Toyota RAV4 competes against other compact multi-activity vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan.