2008 Toyota RAV4 V6
October 15, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
With the Compact SUV segment the fastest-growing in the SUV market, and sales increasing 19.1 per cent for the nine months to September 2007, it comes at no surprise that Toyota has expanded its RAV4 lineup with a new V6 variant.
Toyota has been hard at work applying the 3.5-litre Toyota Aurion engine (2GR-FE) across its entire range. First it was the Tarago then the Kluger, and now it has found its way into the RAV4.
The 3.5-litre V6 engine delivers 201kW of power (6200rpm) and 333Nm of torque (4700rpm) using regular unleaded petrol (ULP). This puts it 76kW ahead of the 2.4-litre RAV4, allowing it to run from 0-100km/h in a very respectable 7.4 seconds.
“The launch of RAV4 V6 is the most significant step for the RAV4 brand since its launch in Australia 13 years ago,” said Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner.
It’s not just one V6 variant either, Toyota has added three V6 models, taking the RAV4 range to nine variants overall. The three new quad-cam V6 models – CV6, SX6 and ZR6 – all have five-speed automatic transmissions and active all-wheel drive.
Given the slightly increased weight, the V6 RAC4 uses marginally more fuel than the Aurion, coming in at 10.5 litres/100km (ADR 81/01), but thanks to the additional power, the RAV4 V6 can now tow 1900kg, a 400kg increase over the four-cylinder models.
The entry model four-cylinder RAV4 starts at $31,990 while the entry model V6 range starts with the CV6 at $39,990. The RAV4 SX6 retails for $43,990 while the top-of-the-line ZR6 has an RRP of $49,990.
The extra $8,000 doesn’t just buy you a bigger engine through, all V6 models have higher standard specifications than their four-cylinder equivalents.
All RAV4 V6 models have 17-inch wheels. The mid-range SX6 and range-topping ZR6 grades have the additional exterior features (over the entry model CV6 grade) of privacy window glass, five-spoke alloy wheels, front fog lamps, overfender flares, roof rails and moonroof.
All V6 models have factory-fitted air conditioning, cruise control, six-speaker audio systems with steering wheel audio controls and rear-seat heater ducts under the front seats. CV6 has manual air conditioning, while SX6 and ZR6 have dual front zone climate-control air conditioning with push-button controls and LED display.
The CV6 and SX6 have grade-specific fabric seat trim, while the top-of-the-range ZR6 gets leather seat trim. CV6 has a single CD player (MP3-compatible) which the SX6 has a MP3-compatible six-CD changer with BluetoothT phone compatibility and the ZR6 has AVN Satellite Navigation with a built-in MP3-compatible four-CD changer with audio input and Bluetooth handsfree mobile phone communication.
Additionally all RAV4 V6 models have a chrome grille, with a V6 badge and four-bulb headlamps, with projector-type low-beam lamps. At the rear, RAV4 utilises light-emitting diode (LED) tail lamps (nine LEDs in each lamp) and centre high-mount stop lamp.
Toyota has equipped all RAV4 V6 models with Vehicle Control Management System (VCMS). This includes the all-wheel-drive system as well as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC – ESP), Traction Control (TRC) and the ABS anti-skid braking system.
VCMS is a specially developed system that can put Active AWD, Electric Power-assisted Steering (EPS) and ABS, including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), VSC, TRC, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) technologies to work together for greater safety.
All three V6 model grades have dual-stage driver and front passenger SRS airbags, front-seat side airbags and side curtain-shield airbags – making six in total.
The 10 colours are: Glacier White, Storm Grey, Silver Pearl, Ebony, Wildfire, Dune, Envy, Mist Green, Blue Storm and pearlescent Crystal Pearl.
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Specifications for each V6 model is available below:
|
CV6 |
SX6 |
ZR6 |
|
| Quad-cam V6 engine |
X |
X |
X |
| Five-speed gated-shift automatic transmission |
X |
X |
X |
| Four-wheel all-coil independent suspension |
X |
X |
X |
| Active AWD |
X |
X |
X |
| Electric Power-assisted Steering |
X |
X |
X |
| Four-wheel disc brakes |
X |
X |
X |
| 17-inch steel wheels |
X |
|
|
| 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels |
|
X |
X |
| Overfender flares |
|
X |
X |
| ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist |
X |
X |
X |
| Vehicle Stability Control with steering assist |
X |
X |
X |
| Traction Control |
X |
X |
X |
| Hill-st art Assist Control |
X |
X |
X |
| Downhill Assist Control |
X |
X |
X |
| Two-stage driver and front passenger SRS airbags |
X |
X |
X |
| Front-seat side SRS airbags |
X |
X |
X |
| Side curtain-shield SRS airbags |
X |
X |
X |
| Manual air conditioning |
X |
|
|
| Climate-controlled front dual-zone air conditioning |
|
X |
X |
| Dial-type heater control panel |
X |
|
|
| Push-button heater control panel |
|
X |
X |
| Power driver’s seat |
|
|
X |
| Power driver’s seat lumbar support |
|
|
X |
| Heated driver and front passenger seats |
|
|
X |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment |
X |
X |
X |
| Urethane steering wheel with audio controls |
X |
|
|
| Leather steering wheel with audio controls |
|
X |
X |
| Leather gear shift knob |
|
X |
X |
| 60/40 split fold rear seat |
X |
X |
X |
| Fabric seat and door trim |
X |
|
|
| High-grade fabric seat and door trim |
|
X |
|
| Leather seat and door trim |
|
|
X |
| Six-speaker audio with single CD player |
X |
|
|
| Six-speaker audio with six-CD player |
|
X |
|
| Six-speaker audio system |
|
|
X |
| Satellite navigation with built-in four-CD player |
|
|
X |
| Footwell illumination |
|
X |
X |
| Rear spoiler |
X |
X |
X |
| Rear side and qu art er privacy glass |
|
X |
X |
| Roof rails |
|
X |
X |
| Foglamps |
|
X |
X |
| Tilt and slide moonroof |
|
X |
X |
| Chrome radiator grille with V6 badge |
X |
X |
X |
| Darkened quad headlamps with projector-type low beam |
X |
X |
X |
| 1900kg braked towing capacity* |
X |
X |
X |
Print it: 
The name of the site is Car “Advice” TP. NO ONE has an encyclopeadic knowledge of everything, you included.
May we all be contented of what we are driving now. The fact is that we can only afford much on the AWDs with much to say.
After having a 2006 RAV4 manual for 2 years with not a problem we upgraded to 2008 RAV4 auto. The gears shift up and down erratically and feels like the transmission is going to drop out of the car when in cruise control going up hills.
Toyota Local Service will not acknowledge problem and neither will Toyota Australia when we told them. America has also noted this problem and they have a tech bulletin that they released mid February this year to fix the problem.
I sent this to my dealership and Toyota Aust who promised to get back to me within the hour. that was 2 days ago.
Hi Guys,I have the same problem as Anne with my 2008 rav4 and it is much worse in the heat (wa). I have taken it back to toyota on numerous occasions all they said was that yes the vehicle does have flat spots but there is “no fix”. I think it is quite dangerous as sometimes there is no power on acceleration (low speed). It’s worse from a stopping position or at a roundabout. They told me to try 2 full tanks of premium petrol and to take it back if it didn’t fix the problem which it didn’t. Don’t know what to do except keep hounding them.
Hi Gill, Back in January I made mention of this problem on this page. It certainly is much worse in the heat. I too live in WA. Having phoned Toyota’s customer line with nothing other than, “we acknowledge the fault, there is no fix…” I am going to pursue this again tomorrow, see if I can get onto someone higher up in the organisation.
attn TP, attn TP….Toyota fault I don’t believe it. In fact I refuse to believe it!!!
Naahhh Can’t be true. Its an illusion. Dodgy Toyota products with lousy customer support. ‘Oh what a feeling’ as they were let down on the side of the road.
Imagine 200 killer TP’s…………….
So it’s now 09/04/08.
I just got a quote from Toyota for a Rav4 SX6 and mentioned this forum to the sales agent.
He said he’d never heard of any problems with the car.
Obviously, the safest best is not to buy?
…sorry made a typo…should read…
Obviously, the safest bet is not to buy?
Hello Guys
I bought my RAV4 SX6, 3 months ago. After 1700 km engine gas a distinct ticking sound (one per revolution) when cold. It is reduced after warming up. It sounds like a hydraulic lifter or something else. This problem is also indicated in several other forums, and Toyota have tested the car and the verdict was ” it is normal”. It was definitely not there when car was new, and fuel consumtion has also gone up slightly.
Anyone else has this problem, or is it just me?
Hi all,
have owned a RAV4 V6 ZR6 for 5 months now. Just hit the 10K. To date, apart from the ‘hesitation’ when planting the foot in taking advantage of the killer wasps, the car has performed well and have not noticed any rattles or other probs. I have used it in the city and travelled to coffs a couple times. Still cannot get comfortable in the leather seat (reminds me of an old bench seat in an EH I once owned) and it eats the juice when calling on those wasps. Hope to get the hesitation problem corrected at the 10K service.
ok well that pretty much sums it up for me. there’s no way I’m going to buy a brand new Rav4 SX6 if the engine clicks and Nos can only ‘Hope to get the hesitation problem corrected at the 10K service.” and Toyota keeps saying that eveything is OK, even when I direct Toyota salesmen to this forum and they tell me that you all are a bunch of whingers.
Instead of a brand new Rav4 SX6 I will buy a 2nd hand car that has already proven itself. In my opinion there should be no ‘hoping’ to fix what to me sounds like a potentially very serious problem. When you push your foot, the car should go. I am a product designer and by the sound of things (and the lack of sound from Toyota) the vehicle clearly has a design flaw that cannot be ‘fixed’. The only logical thing for me to do is pick a different car to buy so thankyou Ehsan and Nos for the nail in the coffin for me and the Rav4 V6.
Too bad Darren – I guess its all a matter of what you seek. Even with problem indicated(I was assured by Toyota PR that it can be fixed at next service) the vehicle is exciting to drive – the acceleration when floored throws you back into the seat. Its good to know its there – a very quick SUV styled vehicle. I dont need an SUV however considered the RAV4 V6 as an alternative to the aurion allowing easier access in/out, more room for business clients/passengers plus it stands taller than all sedans. An SUV does not necessarily need to be aimed at the family man – a quick SUV for the single man wishing to use it for business and also for fishing/golfing trips with mates where a true FWD in most cases is an overkill.
Thanks for the reply Nos. The truth be told is that i WAS seeking a Toyota Rav4 V6. This is the first time I have been in the position to buy a new car and I am being naturally cautious about ruining the experience by buying a lemon. Both my girlfriend and I have had out hearts set on the rav4 V6 for some time because, as you say, the car seems to possess the ideal formula for both business/clients and for camping holiday trips with my girlfriend). I was on the verge of buying one 3 weeks ago and went as far as getting finance but then I came across this thread and this niggling doubt has crept in.
I WOULD buy one tomorrow if I could be sure that this ‘hesitation’ on acceleration wasn’t going to piss me off, de-value the car, or even worse, cause an accident. I am 31 years old with an impeccable driving record and I’d hate to be involved in accident that I felt was because of an electronic fault.
I mean, I drive a 1989 VN Commodore Berlina and when I push the pedal it goes.
I am itching to get into a new car, so Nos and anybody else out there – am I being unreasonably cautious or what?
Im assuming you test drove the Rav V6 Darren… did you experience any of these problems? The thing you have to appreciate is these kind of blogs attract people who have had bad experiences, while the majority who may not have had problems dont see the need to search for a blog to vent their anger. That said there is a possbility you could have these problems, but thats the case with EVERY car.
ehsan I had a problem like yours in a Mazda v6 I once owned.
Noise is either a faulty lifter or piston slap. Goes away when engine is warm I assume.
This noise will only get worse over time to the point where it is noisy all the time.
I would persist and get the dealer should replace the faulty part(s) under warranty.
Lifters are usually replaced as a set(24 in this case).
If u have to do this at a later date to stop the noise this will cost several thousand dollars just for the parts.
good points TS. and yes i did test drive. but i will test drive again and if i am satisfied then there is a good chance i will buy
I will post a message on this web-site within a couple of weeks updating the result of the Toyota service in addressing the ‘hesitation’ problem I have been experiencing – FYI, On another forum, a RAV4 V6 owner (since Oct) has blasted Toyota concerning a couple of problems one being a whining sound coming from the transmission which they cannot seem to solve – I have not experienced this – maybe an isolated problem?
Do you all realise that the flasher, premium and larger Mazda CX7 is around the same coin?
Cheers
F-0
Nos: Great, I look forward to your post.
Fugal-One: Are you suggesting in a round about way that I may expect to purchase similar problems with the CX7?
I’m no mechanic but maybe the delay could be caused by the fly by wire excelerator .. ? My Nissan Navara was the same very dangerous trying to negotiate a round about. Add turbo lag with a fly by wire and its very interesting to drive
Hi all,
Am I right in assuming that this acceleration problem is only with the RAV4 V6??
I recently bought an 8month old 2007 Cruiser Auto and despite being told by people that they are guttless, I have had nothing but good response when I accelerate, even uphill, which I do regularly.
Darren, I am looking forward to hearing if you bought one or not. And I think Frugal-One meant that the CX7 costs the same……
As an update: I had the hesitation problem attended to by Toyota. They claimed at the time there is NO such ‘known’ problem (even though the problem had been confirmed to me by their Customer Relations Manager some months back) however on my test drive with the mechanic it wasn’t evident nor has it re-appeared a week or so since the service. So according to them now, I must have dreamt the whole thing up.
Obviously they have done something which has cleared the problem – Apart from being a ‘dreamer’, I am now one happy RAV4 ZR6 owner and enjoying the driving
Hi All, we have been contacted by our Toyota service centre to say there is a fix for the hesitation problem. Our Rav is booked in for the upload mid next week. Will post an update.
Charles, indeed interesting that toyota confirmed this as known problem to you. After the service, pls advise if you perceive that they may have reduced the acceleration or torque to get around the problem – changing a computer chip or similar?. I say this because since my service, the intermittent hesitation problem has disappeared however at the same time, it does not take off the way it did when I floor it, like before. I doubt very much now that it could reach the stated 7.4 secs for 0-100km/h.
Hi all, I have late 2007 Rav4 SX6 and its fantastic.
It has no problems and goes extremely well, with very reasonable fuel ecomomy. I have not experienced any hesitation my SX6, its super responsive.
This is a far better car than the VE Calais it replaced…
Nos, we have had the mod done to our Rav4, 4 cylinder version, so far the car is responding well and a pleasure to drive once again.
in case anybody is interested, i just couldn’t bring myself to buy the 08 SX6 even though I was offered a very sweet deal. i bought a 2006 subaru outback 3.0 6cyl premium for 30k and i couldn’t be happier.
“0-100km/h in a very respectable 7.4 seconds” unless your after a drag race why is it important for a car to reach that speed in a short amount of time and why can’t they have the spec’s in a common lingo that every one can understand.
does it have good fuel efficiency????
Posted the following figures on another web-site a few months ago -
“Just some updated fuel usage figures I calculated on my RAV ZR6 -
91RON:
1. Stop/start city driving: 13.4 litres/100km
2. Motorway: 9.6 litres/100km
95RON:
1. Stop/start city driving: 12.5 litres/100km
2. Motorway: 8.7 litres/100km
I do drive it hard – so I am quite happy with these figures and will continue to use 95RON since the vehicle appears to drive smoother.”
There seems to be a Rav4 V6 in the US that is made without the spare on the back and it has a smart key. I have asked Toyota if this model will be comming to Australia but they say they can not give information on future releases.
Does anybody know the Answer
Coming.. would be good if I could spell
Hi all, i have spent hours reading different reviews on this car. It seems to me that Toyota’s are reliable vehicle’s in Australia and some ford and holden fans just have to put their useless two or three words in to try and bad mouth the true quality of a Toyota. I have owned my Holden commodore for 4 years now and love the vehicle for its power and typical aussie muscle looks but it seems to fail over and over again mechanicaly. it has cost me way more than i bought the car for ($3000). Over all with all that aside, i have test driven the 2008 Rav4 and as a 24yr old male it is a very attractive car. i am next month going to purchase the new 09 model SX6 and cant wait! i have done countless hours research on the rav4 and read too many reviews. the negative ones make me a little cautious however for every negative blog there is, there is a excellent explanation elswhere if you look hard enough. I believe the rav4 is hitting the market it seems to be intended for (young males and young familys) and not much is going to get in the way of us buying a sporty and powerful suv like the rav4 over another holden or ford.. no offence to the diehard ford and holden lovers!.. by the way if i did not know better…. the bitchyness in these blogs from the regular bloggers is hilarious! thanks for reading!
All these message are fine & good. Most writers seem to be satisfied with their choice of vehicle after the flat sport was fixed.
Can anyone out there let me know where I can get a copy of a roadtest of a V6 RAV4. I have just purchased the SX6 model.
There has been a couple of RAV4 V6 road tests published – this forum is linked to one of them. Just google it.
Just took my RAV4 ZR6 to QLD and back – cruising at 120km along freeway in comfort then gunned it to overtake some cars up a hill – it kicked back and just sailed past them. It is such a pleasure to take away.
So far we are we happy with our RAV V6. Not so happy with the Sales Manager, but the salesman was great.
I have googled ad nauseum, but can’t find a roadtest that gives performance, on test. I would also like to find a comparison between the RAV V6 & other similar sized vehicles.
I would also like to find a site that gives the interior dimesnions, leg room, head room, luggage capacity etc.
Anyone with any suggestions?
Interesting? I again just googled both RAV4 & RAV4V6 which presented a list of different reviews. There are reviews on the V6 without comparison (there is no other similar sports SUV to compare to -perhaps only the mazda CX9) while on the otherhand there are reviews on the RAV4 4 cylinder with plenty of comparisons to other 4cyl SUV’s.
Just a note from an “under 40 something” on the Kluger vs Rav4 debate. Personally, I think the Kluger looks like a very boring soccer-mum car while the Rav4 has sporty good looks. Yes, they are similar in some respects, but I think it’s really apples and oranges.
Agree. The Kluger is a tank imo but has its dedicated followers especially those with large fams looking for an SUV with 7 seats but not wanting a 4WD like the Prado. The RAV 4cyl/4d is ideal for a young fam of 4 or less; The RAV 4cyl/3d is ideal for young ladies while the RAV 6cyl is one for the blokes.
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!!!
quiesiera saber el precio de una rav4 nueva y de una rav4 usada porfavor responder a este correo estoy con la idea de comprar una
Well I’ve currently got an old RAV4 with 220k on the clock. It’s still going but it’s now costing about $1.5k/year in repairs – some idiot borrowed it and did a drift into kurb bending the front crossmember (how can anyone drift an AWD? I’ve tried when it’s wet & slippery and it still hangs on). Plus it is a bit underpowered going over the mountains every few weeks on LPG and with all my gear plus a pod on the roof.
Anyway – I thought this last shape RAV was way too big (I like being able to park in a normal/small carspace and with only a 2.4L it’s too gutless to do anything for me – but then they put the 6 in there and wow! – I’m going to definitely get one (SX6) in the next few months. The closest to it in every way is a BMW X3.
I’m hoping to use the storage space under the rear load area to locate an LPG tank as the one in the old RAV means it can’t carry much.
I really like that the RAV still has the full size spare on the back – it’s great for stopping touch parkers from getting too close & as I’ve got it locked on, never had any concerns about someone pinching it.
Has anyone herd if rav 4 is comming out with a 3.0 litre turbo diesel engine and it is about time toyota should do this