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. Next Page