2010 Toyota RAV4

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 does well in federal government crash tests, earning five stars for driver safety and four stars for passenger safety in frontal crash tests, as well as five stars for both the front and rear seats in side crash tests. It also gets a four-star rollover score, which is excellent for an SUV. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2009 model a "Top Safety Pick" for its good performance in both frontal offset and side impact tests and for its standard electronic stability control. That model also gets a score of "Good" in rear crash protection tests -- although parents should note that only the seat head restraints are tested, so this test doesn't necessarily assess the safety of rear rows where children may be sitting.

In addition to side airbags, the RAV4 comes standard with a Star Safety System. This includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC), an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. These features are expected on a family car, although some more affordable SUVs don't come standard with all of them.

• "Antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every ...Toyota RAV4. Vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seat also come with hill-start assist and downhill assist control." -- Edmunds
• "This comprehensive [Star Safety] system integrates five active electronic safety features -- enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Brake Assist -- to help avoid accidents, and one passive safety feature (multi-stage front airbags) to cushion occupants should a crash occur." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Visibility is good all around, with just one major blind spot in the usual rear quarter, despite having the spare tire sitting outside the gate (where it's low enough not to interfere)." -- A Car Place
• "The rear roof support pillar on each side is thick and combines with the high belt line to impede visibility somewhat when changing lanes." -- Newsday