2015 Toyota RAV4 XLE: Most Things To Most People

The upshot of the RAV4's four-cylinder-only configuration was surprisingly respectable fuel consumption.

The model I drove was the XLE, which opens up the option of all-wheel drive.

My tester's 50th Anniversary Special Edition package also installed navigation, spiffy red stitching on the vehicle's leather dashboard and door panels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and chrome 18-inch rims.

Of course, only the Limited gets you access to advanced safety equipment such as a blind spot monitoring system and a lane departure warning system.

I recommend disregarding the Limited, because if you're looking for high tech gear and a touch of luxury, you'd be better served elsewhere.

More interested in hauling drywall and painting supplies home from the hardware store?

Toyota's decision to back away from the V6 that was previously available in the RAV4 in favour of the more efficient four-cylinder hasn't been universally popular.

There are three versions of the 2015 Toyota RAV4 out there: LE, XLE, and Limited.

In my eyes, the XLE is the happy medium that straddles the line between affordability, features, and utility.

The interior's design makes it easy to take advantage of all of the RAV4's available space.

At the end of my journey, it was clear that the 2.5-litre, 176 horsepower four-cylinder engine that comes with each and every edition of the RAV4 was up to the task of motivating the small SUV.

The vehicle's six-speed automatic transmission was only occasionally perceptible.

I wasn't always sure the truck had enough gumption to see me clear with an acceptable margin of safety.

How many vehicles get to claim status as one of the 'default answers' for their respective class?

Count yourself lucky to be shopping for a small crossover in what is certainly a buyer's market.

The Toyota's 2,081 litres of total storage space (more than half of which is still accessible with all five passenger spots occupied) place it near the top of its class.

I took the 2015 Toyota RAV4 on a 500 kilometre road trip.

If you want to go whole-hog, the Limited will net you the most equipment.

Given that there are so many excellent compact SUVs to choose from, it's also a good idea to drive the RAV4's rivals.