Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures owner satisfaction with vehicle quality after the first 90 days of ownership, the Toyota RAV4 received 4 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures owner satisfaction with performance and design attributes of a vehicle, the Toyota RAV4 received 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Vehicle Dependability – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner satisfaction with vehicle dependability after three years of ownership, the Toyota RAV4 received 4 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is equipped with one of two engines: a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder making 179 horsepower or a 3.5-liter V-6 engine making 269 horsepower, driving the front or all four wheels through a four- or five-speed automatic transmission. According to the EPA, the RAV4 gets between 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, depending on powertrain selection.

Our review vehicle, a RAV4 with two-wheel drive and the four-cylinder engine, is the most fuel efficient model with 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway EPA fuel economy ratings. We 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.

Safety – According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2009 Toyota RAV4 receives a 5-star crash-test rating for the driver in a frontal impact, a 4-star crash-test rating for the front passenger in a frontal impact, 5-star ratings for front and rear occupants in a side impact, and a 4-star rollover ratings for both front- and all-wheel-drive models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2009 Toyota RAV4 a “Top Safety Pick” because it comes with standard stability control and receives a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact test, a “Good” rating in the side impact test, and a “Good” rating in the rear impact test. However, because the 2009 RAV4 receives only an “Acceptable” rating in the roof crush strength test, and a “Good” rating in this measure will be required for a Top Safety Pick designation in 2010, the RAV4 is likely to lose this accolade.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 consumes between 14.3 and 16.3 barrels of petroleum annually, with resulting carbon footprint ratings ranging from 7.7 to 8.7 tons of air pollution per year. Regardless of powertrain choice, the RAV4’s national air pollution score is a 6 out of 10, and in the California and New England regions, it receives an air pollution score of 7 out of 10.