For anyone who has driven an older (pre-2006) RAV4, the most noticeable changes for the current model are increased stability from its wider track and a smoother ride from its extended wheelbase. In the Sport model, the suspension is tuned toward stability over smoothness. Steering response is confident, although understeer (where the car wants to go straight while the driver wants it to turn) is the dominant response during aggressive turns. There's moderate body lean in corners, but dive under braking and squat when accelerating are well controlled.

The brake pedal feels firm, and depending on the engine, response to the gas pedal is prompt or borderline overwhelming, even though this RAV4 weighs 500 pounds more than the previous generation. The four-cylinder delivers plenty of grunt, in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, with brisk, linear acceleration. Torque steer, that front-wheel-drive syndrome that tugs on the steering wheel, is minimal. The accompanying mechanical and exhaust sounds, although not intrusive, clearly identify the engine as a Toyota four-cylinder.

The V6, with its head-of-the-class 269 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque, is a different story. Acceleration is impressive. With this comes torque steer, particularly with front-wheel drive: Hang onto the steering wheel, because when you floor the gas pedal the engine feels like it wants to pull the wheel from your hands. You'll get used to it, and the V6 sounds much better than the four. Mechanical noise is more effectively masked, and the exhaust note is more soothingly tuned than in the four.

In general, the RAV4 is quieter inside than many small sport-utility vehicles, though perhaps not as quiet as the Honda CR-V. Some wind whistle crept into the RAV4's cabin around the side windows.