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Toyota RAV4 Estate boot space, practicality and safety

2006 - 2012 (change model)
Practicality rating: 4 out of 54.0

Written by Richard Kilpatrick Updated: 13 February 2024

  • A good blend of large family hatchback and 4x4
  • Easy access to boot and rear seats
  • Sliding rear seat adds flexibility

As it’s close to the ground, it’s easy to put luggage into the boot of the RAV4 and to get in-and-out of the back seats. There’s no three-door option, as on previous generations, so all buyers will benefit from the better accessibility of a five-door. It is very flexible too with fold-flat seats, similar to ones fitted to the Verso and Yaris. Pull one of two levers in the boot and the seats fold flat into the floor – there’s no need to remove the headrests or any of the cushions.

The seats have a 60/40 split and slide for extra legroom or more luggage space while the load area itself is wide. Other cabin cubbies include a double glovebox, bottle holders and illuminated cupholders. One thing to be aware of is the rear door – it’s hinged to the right-hand side rather then opening upwards like a conventional hatch. This can be tricky to open in tight parking spaces or multi-storey car parks. Cars with a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate have a restricted opening angle as well.

Toyota RAV4 (2006-2009) safety

  • Average safety for a car this age
  • More airbags than many rivals
  • Euro NCAP scores only relevant at time of test

Like other recent Toyotas, the RAV4 performed pretty well in the Euro NCAP crash tests, receiving four stars overall and scoring maximum points in side impact and pole tests. However, plenty of other similar size 4x4s have achieved the maximum five stars. Note that a five-star score in 2006 is not the same as a five-star score now, and Euro NCAP results are only comparable with cars tested to the same standard. Newer tests are stricter and have higher expectations of safety technology.

All models come with nine airbags, including dual front, side and curtain airbags and – unusually – a kneebag for the driver.

There are also five three-point seatbelts, ABS and vehicle stability control with traction control on top models.

Euro NCAP rating

What is Euro NCAP?
Adult Occupant: 4 out of 5
Child Occupant: 4 out of 5
Vulnerable Road User: 3 out of 5

Equipment and options

Each trim level will have different equipment offerings.
Basic equipment (18)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric mirrors
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Heated mirrors
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Side airbags
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
LE Standard Equipment (6)
  • Air conditioning
  • Alloy wheels
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Roof rails
LE Optional Equipment
  • n/a
SR Standard Equipment (8)
  • Audio remote
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Front fog lights
  • Heated seats
  • Parking sensors
  • Traction control
SR Optional Equipment (5)
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Leather seat trim
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
SR180 Standard Equipment (9)
  • Audio remote
  • CD Multichanger
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Front fog lights
  • Lumbar support
  • Traction control
SR180 Optional Equipment
  • n/a
T180 Standard Equipment (11)
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Front fog lights
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Sat Nav
  • Traction control
T180 Optional Equipment
  • n/a
XT-R Standard Equipment (4)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • Cruise control
  • Front fog lights
XT-R Optional Equipment (14)
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
  • Traction control
XT3 Standard Equipment (6)
  • Air conditioning
  • Alloy wheels
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Roof rails
XT3 Optional Equipment
  • n/a
XT4 Standard Equipment (8)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • CD Multichanger
  • Electric sunroof
  • Front fog lights
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Leather seat trim
  • Traction control
XT4 Optional Equipment
  • n/a
XT5 Standard Equipment (13)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Front fog lights
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Sat Nav
  • Traction control
XT5 Optional Equipment
  • n/a
XTR Standard Equipment (4)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • Cruise control
  • Front fog lights
XTR Optional Equipment (10)
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
  • Traction control

Dimensions

Length 4315mm - 4395mm
Width 1815mm - 1855mm
Height 1685mm - 1720mm
View full specs