Of all the things that matter when it comes to buying a vehicle, of all the talk of power, handling, price, and fuel economy, perhaps the most important area when it comes to SUVs is space – usable, friendly and smart interior space that helps make day-to-day tasks easier to manage. Up to now, the knock on small SUVs has largely been that these vehicles don’t accommodate growing families. You can buy a Honda CR-V, but once little Charlie and Charleena come along, all that convenient elbow room suddenly gets pretty darn cramped, and the next thing you know – poof – you’re off to minivan-land.

The 2006 Toyota RAV4 changes that. And in a big way, with big room inside for drivers and passengers. There’s even an available third-row seat, though it’s little more than a jump seat. Smart buyers will purchase a RAV4 that offers underfloor storage instead of the optional, teeny-tiny third row.

No matter. It’s the first two rows, and available cargo space, where the RAV4 makes its name. Sit in the back and enjoy headroom and foot room that borders on mid-sized SUV territory. Back here, you’ve got cupholders where they ought to be (there’s ten in all), and reclining seats that are among the best offered in the second row of a small SUV. Okay, so maybe it’s not fair to even call the RAV4 a small SUV. After all, it’s 14 inches longer than its predecessor. So to compare it in size to its traditional competitors, well, that’s a bit like stacking the deck. Like a lightweight fighter who moves up a class, the 2006 RAV4 suddenly looks smaller – but not by much. How’s this for irony: Toyota’s own Highlander, which costs a little more than $4,000 over the RAV4, is only four inches longer and is virtually the same width-wise. Headroom and legroom up front is actually more expansive in the RAV4 than it is in the Highlander.

Look for Highlander rebates coming soon, at a Toyota dealer near you.
It’s as if the RAV4 was everybody’s little brother, grew up, spent some time at the gym, and started taking names. The fact that all this interior space is well used should come as no surprise, for it’s safe to say that Toyota has pretty much nailed down the making of practical, convenient cars. Shoot – the thing has a dual glove box and illuminated cupholders. And though the models under evaluation were pre-production, you can assume that the 2006 Toyota RAV4 will get as much attention to detail regarding component quality and gap tolerance. As for interior layout, there are some interior changes from the Toyotas we’re all used to, such as the center console and larger door grips. All are easy to use, and attractive in appearance, though those big and beefy door grips look faintly like the ones in the Honda Ridgeline.

With chrome-brushed inserts throughout the cabin and quality materials on the seats, living in the RAV4 is pleasant. The seats are well-bolstered and comfortable, and the material is pleasant to touch. Headrests in the second row are set into the seatback, which improves visibility and convenience when lowering them for cargo. When you need to drop the second row for a home improvement errand, the RAV4 provides a nice, large area that has smooth walls with few intrusions.