RAV4 Takes On Costa Rica's Mountain Roads

Mountain trip demonstrates impressive results

By Jon Hood
ConsumerAffairs.com

August 26, 2009
Yours truly was fortunate enough to stop by Costa Rica in July, taking a week to check out the white-faced monkeys and double overhead waves that are so sorely lacking on the east coast of the U.S.

After spending a couple days in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital and largest city, my traveling companions and I grew restless. We decided to head west to Montezuma, a tiny beach town on the country's Pacific coast. Montezuma is only about 90 miles from San Jose, but the trip involves a ferry and a dearth of main roads, bringing the average travel time to around five hours. All three of us had had interesting bus trips in foreign countries before, which meant there were no objections when it was suggested that we rent a car.

We found a car rental center run by Toyota, apparently common in Costa Rica; unsurprisingly, the fleet was limited to cars made by a certain Japanese manufacturer. When we told the gentleman at the counter that we were headed to Montezuma, he was blunt. "You're going to want an SUV," he told us. "That's a tough drive." His warning was seconded by another American tourist who had just returned.

We were given a gold 2009 RAV4, the smallest of Toyota's six-SUV lineup (and the cheapest daily rental). To my mild disappointment, the car was equipped with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission, rather than the 5-speed manual gearbox that comes standard. It did, however, come with 4-wheel-drive, an option that I assumed would prove invaluable in the hours and days ahead.

After around an hour on Route 27, the highway heading out of San Jose, we quickly found ourselves on the rocky dirt roads the Toyota rep had warned us about. A trip to Montezuma requires a foray through Costa Rica's mountains, and the roads, while technically two lanes, are really only big enough for a car and a half to pass safely. More than once, we came around a blind cliffside curve to find a tractor trailer bearing down on us in our lane.

Through it all, though, the RAV4 kept up. Steering was tight and responsive, a marked departure from my experience with several earlier-model Toyotas. It was a welcome change from a Saturn Vue I've had the pleasure of driving, which needs a 270-degree turn of the wheel just to change lanes on the highway. The RAV4 also handled surprisingly well, perhaps a testament to its relatively low, crossover-like profile. Unlike the many SUV's that cause your life to flash before you every time you take an exit ramp at 25, the RAV4 handled more like a car than a truck, able to take sharp turns at 40 without the need for excessive braking or a dozen Hail Marys.

The pickup was not great, but our RAV4 came equipped with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which only churns out 179 horsepower. Those who want more power--or towing capacity of any kind--should opt for the 2.5-liter V6, which boasts 90 additional horses. The brakes were tested repeatedly, mostly by stray dogs and Montezumans who had decided that the middle of the road was the best place for their daily 9:00 nap. Response was nearly instantaneous and the stopping distance--while not actually measuredwas short enough that I never had to call the local funeral home, or even an ambulance.

The 4-wheel-drive, while confidence inspiring, was of questionable value. I noticed little difference in performance after the on-demand system was activated. In the RAV4's defense, we experienced relatively few situations that would demand a bona fide off-road vehicle; the supposed need for an SUV seemed predicated more on ground clearance than anything else. (For the record, "RAV4" is shorthand for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel-drive." Who knew?)

The interior, while dull, was simple and well put together. Dash controls were clearly marked and took little time to figure out. Our car came with almost no options, but the gadget-minded can opt for such amenities as a touch-screen navigation system and a JBL in-dash six-disc changer. Long-haulers will be relieved to learn that the RAV4 has two jumbo-sized cupholders up front, obviating the need for the traditional rock-paper-scissors game that determines who has to sit with their soda on their lap for two hours.

All in all, the RAV4 was a very pleasant surprise. I still wouldn't buy one; I'm not an SUV guy, and I live in Manhattan, which, for better or worse, is lacking in the treacherous mountain road department. But for those who need an occasional off-road companion, or just want something bigger than a Fiesta but smaller than an Excursion, the RAV4 is definitely worth a look.

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