2008 Toyota RAV4 CV6 review
February 6, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Toyota RAV4 CV6 review
“With 201kW of power in a hugely versatile SUV, there’s a lot to like about the 2008 Toyota RAV4 V6”
Model tested: 2008 RAV4 CV6 – it’s the entry level in the V6 line up.
Recommended Retail Price: $39, 990
CarAdvice rating: 
More versatile than the four cylinder, well equipped, increased towing capacity
Fuel economy, if you utilise all 201kW of power on a sustained basis
Options fitted: None
Where it sits: There are now nine RAV4 models to choose from. Six four-cylinder variants and three V6 powered versions. The CV6 we tested is priced just above the 2.4-litre Cruiser 4-speed auto. The lowest price RAV4 is the 2.4L-litre 5-speed manual from $31,990 up to the high spec ZR6 3.5L V6 5-speed auto at $49,990.
And the meaning of RAV4 – Recreational Active Vehicle, four-wheel drive (technically, its all wheel drive)
- by Anthony Crawford
No one likes crowds. Whether you’re on a beach, in a shopping centre or in a queue to buy a movie ticket, they’re just no fun unless; you’re getting paid to perform in front of one.
The compact SUV segment is getting crowded. Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3, Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-7, Holden Captiva, Subaru Forester, Kia Sorento, Ssangyong Kyron and whatever else I have missed.
And there are more players on the horizon. Volkswagen is soon to launch their own compact SUV the Tiguan, which will add even more choice for buyers.The pricing range for the above group starts at just on $34,000 and tops out at around $43,490. Overall, there’s a lot of value for money in this category, given the multi-purpose nature of these vehicles.
December 2007 vehicle sales put Toyota well in the lead with a massive 23.9% market share of all vehicles sold in Australia. To put that into proper perspective, Holden were second on the board, with a 12.1% share and Ford ran third, with 10.4 percentage points.
While Toyota doesn’t have a win with every new model it launches, their batting average, if you were into cricket (and I’m not), would be damn near a century.
Although X-Trail was the other option it drove badly and at virtualy the same hp I hope that I’ve made the right choice. The others ie. Kia, Hyundia etc although they ARE fantastic cars they loose more money than any of their competators, for now, when they build up their name for the great cars they are the other 4×4’s can look out. Being British isn’t it a shame that Landrover can’t keep up wih their rivals, as being British that is the car of choice.
Toyota NZ has released the Corolla with a 1.4TD engine and 2.0TD engine. The 1.4 has a 5-speed manual transmission, the 2.0 has a 6-speed manual. The RAV4 is available with a 2.2TD engine with a 6-speed manual. Toyota reckons the 1.4 will use 5.0 litres per 100km, the 2.0 – 5.4 litres per 100km and the 2.2 – 6.6 litres per 100km. Diesel is cheaper to buy in NZ than it is in Oz, however diesel vehicles are subject to a Road User Charge which for a normal passenger car is a bit over $30 per 1000km. Toyota Australia is lagging so far behind it is not funny.
20 somthing males like my self seem to be loving the rav4 especially the v6 range. i intend on buyin the Sx6 09 model I CANT WAIT!
I bought new SX6 V6 Rav in Dec 2008 – the first of the new model. The fuel consumption is 14.6l/100km so very thirsty. The smell is terrible not sure whether leak through back door. The car seat is very uncomforatable on long trip and took it out on the beach recently and it is hopeless – bogged it – and the old 96 rav powered past. I think I made a bad choice and don’t recommend this car!!!
Well I have been looking too long now the price has gone up by $1,895.00 to a RRP of $52,745 for the ZR6 the one I had my eye on.
My old RAV4 is on LPG and I’d like to equip an SX6 with the LPG fuel conversion – Yes I really do do enough K’s to justify it.
I’d like to get as much of the tank into that 70 Litre storage well as possible as if it were mounted above so I had the tank in the back plus couldn’t use the storage well would really suck. Hope that the conversion guys can find a solution to use as much of the space as possible!!
The Guys at the Toyota dealership inform me that the heads won’t take the strain from LPG – so looks like I’ll have to go for the 4-cyl. Just hope I can find a tank that fits in the 800×450 storage well without protruding too much (the old tank is 1m wide and 350dia.
We’ve had our RAV4 V6 for around 6 months and so far it’s all been good.
Our longest trip so far has been a run to Port Macquarie for a weekend. The fuel economy was very good. Keeping to the speed limits both ways we averaged around 8.8 l/100 km. The vehicle is comfortable for a tall driver and luggage room is suitable for a wife who likes to pack for every eventuality.