One of the biggest automotive stories, literally, in North America is currently unfolding in Ontario.

Four of Toyota's best selling vehicles, the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Toyota RAV4 and the Lexus RX 350 are all produced here.

While the Corolla, Matrix and RS 350 are all built in Cambridge, the RAV4 is the first vehicle to come out of its new production facility in Woodstock. The name comes from Recreational Activity Vehicle Four-wheel-drive, thus RAV4.

If you have driven by it along Highway 401, the Woodstock plant is gigantic.

The current generation RAV4 and the Woodstock plant site were both launched in 2006. In fact, the Canadian debut of the 2009 RAV4 took place where the facility now stands.

With RAV4 North American production shifting to Ontario, a few changes have been made in what amounts to a mid-life refreshing that results in two engines/transmissions and three trim level (Base, Sport, Limited) choices for six basic combinations. If you add in optional packages, there are 14 ways to order a RAV4.

The biggest change for 2009 is an all-new 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine that produces 179 hp (up 13 hp) and 172 lb/ft (up 7 lb/ft) of torque over the 2.4-litre engine in the 2008 RAV4. And better, the new engine is almost five per cent more fuel efficient at 9.6/6.9/100 km city/highway compared to 10.1/7.7/9.0L/100 km for the 2.4-litre.

Standard transmission on the four-cylinder car is an electronic four-speed automatic. There is no manual available which is probably a good thing as those who still drive a stick are an increasing minority.

We'll be looking at the Base RAV4, but for the record, the other engine is a 3.5-litre, DOHC V6 with 269 hp and 246 lb/ft of torque delivering 11.1/7.7/9.6L/100 km city/highway/combined. The transmission here is an electronic five-speed automatic, again no manual.

All RAV4s come with what Toyota calls its Active Torque Control four-wheel-drive that is actually more of a "slip and grip" all-wheel-drive system that has a coupling placed just in front of the rear differential.

Based on where the sensors find traction is the best, the coupling is electromagnetically activated if torque to the rear is needed. In most cases, the RAV4 will be running in a front-drive mode and that, in turn, helps conserve fuel consumption.

The four-cylinder can tow up to 1,500 lb and the V6, 3,500 lb.

Late last year at the press launch of the four-cylinder, one of the exercises to show off how much more virile the new 2.5-litre is, involved a closed stretch of road with a 2.5-litre in front of a 2.4-litre. The object was for both drivers to hit the gas pedal at the same time to see how much better the newer engine performed. It wasn't dramatic, but the 2.5-litre did have the legs on the 2.4-litre.

Held in the Muskoka region, roads in this part of the world are heavily crowned so all the water from snow and rain can wash off swiftly. But this also means you can't lose concentration because frost heaves and rashes of cold patching can yank the steering out of your control.

Luckily, all 2009 RAV4s are equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) incorporating traction control. This is integrated with electric power steering for surprisingly precise steering. With all systems working, there was no sense of getting out of shape.

In adverse conditions like heavy snow or ice, a switch can turn off the VSC.

Braking is by four discs with ABS, electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

On the wet Muskoka roads, that RAV4 stopped and cornered as you expect but with the short wheelbase and the relatively high seating position, taking hard corners at anything above the speed limit would have been foolhardy. There was slight body lean but nothing untoward, such is the sophistication of today's road holding technologies.

Nevertheless, the suspension system is fairly sophisticated for an entry-level CUV with coil springs over MacPherson struts with a stabilizer bar at the front and double wishbones with coil springs, trailing bars and a stabilizer bar at the rear.

Not only does this system soak up the bumps better than the simple torsion bar rear setup as you might suspect, but it also greatly opens up the rear cargo area because there are no shock towers intruding into cargo space.

With the 60/40 split/fold second row of seats that also recline, there is 73.2 sq ft (2.07 sq m) of cargo space. The cargo floor is carpeted but flips to expose a hard plastic side for easier loading of heavy or wet goods. As it is, the RAV4 has an interior payload of 875 lb (375 kg).

The base RAV4 tested here has a starting price of $24,295 which is actually less than the $26,500 when I drove the vehicle last year. The only other charge was $1,490 for shipping which seems like a lot from Woodstock.

The 2009 RAV4s are in what the industry calls "mid cycle" which means a replacement is now being readied.

There are some visual external changes for 2009 that start with different grille and front bumper designs to distinguish the Base and Sport models from the Limited. Fog lamps found on the Sport and Limited are not available on the Base. The fender-mounted antenna on the 2008 has been replaced with one on the roof that looks better and reduces cabin noise.

At the rear, the door-mounted full-size spare on the Base now has a moulded plastic cover instead of fabric.

I noted on my tester that it is wired for Bluetooth connectivity just in time for the new hands-free law here in Ontario.

Lastly, it is a good thing that all RAV4s are fitted standard with active front seat headrests and six airbags.

As this is being written, I see the 2010 models are now out (Base price $50 more) which means your local Toyota dealer has got a flock of 2010s on the way and he/she may be interested in dealing on a "new" 2009 like the Base tested here.

Either way, the made-in-Canada Toyota RAV4 is a very serious consideration when it comes to buying a compact SUV/CUV.

(TOYOTA RAV4 BASE 2009 AT A GLANCE)

BODY STYLE: Compact SUV.

DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-wheel-drive.

ENGINE: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC (179 hp, 172 lb/ft torque).

FUEL ECONOMY: 2.5-litre, 9.7/L/100 km (29 mpg) city, 6.9L/100 km (41 mpg) highway

PRICE: 2.5-litre: Base, $24,295; as tested, $25,785 including $1,490 shipping fee.

WEBSITE: www.toyota.ca