|  The RAV4 for 2007 is a striking SUV with sleek styling and lots of comfort and room inside. For 2007, the RAV4 gains an important safety system as standard equipment. Driver and front passenger front-seat-mounted side airbags, along with first and second row roll-sensing side curtain airbags, are now standard (formerly optional).
The Toyota RAV4 returns for 2007 with some minor updates. It is available in three trims: Base, Sport, and Limited in either 2WD or 4WD configurations. Engine choices include a 166 horsepower 2.4L in-line four-cylinder engine and 3.5L V6 engine that produces 269 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque. The 2.4L engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission while the 3.5L V6 engine gets paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. All models receive driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and two row side curtain airbags with roll-over sensor as standard equipment. The RAV4 is now offered with an optional JBL audio system that features MP3 capabilities, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and steering wheel mounted controls.
Design, construction, and judicious use of soundproofing materials keep the RAV4's interior noise levels pleasantly low. The interior restyle is similar to the exterior - evolutionary - and there is noticeably more leg, head, and shoulder room for everyone. Standard upholstery is a grippy middle-class synthetic cloth, although leather is available in the Limited; the steering wheel rim and shift knob are leather-trimmed. Bright "Optitron" instruments (in all models) are easily visible in all lighting, and there are plenty of storage spaces and cup and bottle holders throughout the cabin - even for third-row passengers. Both the standard and optional JBL sound systems play MP3 and WMA CDs and accept input from an external audio player via a jack in the console box. The Limited gets dual-zone automatic climate control. The high-eyepoint seating position gives everyone a good view, helped by a "theater-style" increase in cushion height toward the rear. The front buckets provide good comfort and support. The second row is split 60/40, with each side separately adjustable fore-and-aft and for back angle. Each side also folds flat, with the cushion automatically moving down and forward for a flat floor. With the second row seats fully back, legroom is excellent, although nonexistent for the third row. All the way forward, and three medium-sized people can fit in row two, with two more in row three. Still, as in any three-row vehicle under extra-large size, the third row is best thought of as seating for small people and short distances. With the third row down, there is plenty of cargo space. The seats can be raised and stowed easily and quickly from the rear, and when up, the wells in which they are stored are available for cargo storage.
Standard features are plentiful across all three grades, including air-conditioning; a tilt and telescopic steering wheel; AM/FM CD stereo with six speakers, a universal mini-jack port, Satellite Radio ready and MP3/WMA playback capability; outside temperature gauge; remote keyless entry; ten front and rear bottle/cup holders;
power windows and door locks; foldable power mirrors; illuminated entry system; rear privacy glass, and three 12-volt auxiliary power outlets.
If you order the Limited version, you get some real luxury, including dual zone automatic climate control with air filter; leather seats; eight-way power driver seat with adjustable lumbar; AM/FM six-disc in-dash CD changer with six speakers, a universal mini-jack port, Satellite Radio ready and MP3/WMA playback capability; engine immobilizer system; interior footwell lighting; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; leather-wrapped shift knob with metallic insert; cargo area tonneau cover and a multi-purpose cargo net (two-row models).
The 2007 Toyota RAV4 adds more standard safety features. It has more power, more room and more seats than models built before 2006. The presentation is seamless, the driving pleasurable and the packaging delivered with the usual Toyota aplomb. The RAV4 and the Honda CR-V essentially created this class. With the availability of a V6 engine, three rows of seating and the virtues mentioned above, Toyota has now climbed back into the lead.
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