here’s the beef

TOYOTA'S COMPACT SUV GETS BIG V-6 POWER

FOR Alan Greenspan, inflation is something to be met with resistance. But for Toyota's redesigned third-generation RAV4—now available for the first time with a V-6 engine—inflation may be just the ticket. While SUV buyers are shedding mega-'utes at the horror of $120 refuelings, the RAV4's expanded new size—a whopping 14 inches in length—converts what's been a compact SUV into a flexible alternative. With the driver seat positioned for this scribe's six-foot one-inch frame, second-row knee room is still a leg-crossing 3.5 inches. Surprising too are the split rear seats that can be slid approximately 4.5 inches forward to expand rear cargo room or tilted back 25 degrees. Optionally, there's also a new hyper-compact fold-in-the floor third-row seat that's basically a kid department, though roomier than a few we've recently visited. Steeply…

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MotorTrend (Digital) - 1 Issue, January 2006

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