Twenty-one years later, Toyota’s RAV4 goes from strength to strength and is today a very formidable adversary to any of the SUVs currently available on the market.
The fourth generation Toyota RAV4 is pitched right in the middle of the ever growing mid-size SUV class of vehicles that have become so popular in these past years, not only in Malta but all over the world. The first generation RAV4, which was launched in 1994, was one of the first pioneers within this car segment, and this was the start of a trend that would grow in the following years to what it is today. All major carmakers tend to have a mid-size SUV within their offerings and many have excelled in this fast growing segment, one that has become so important in today’s motoring world.
Falling squarely within the mid-size SUV sector, the Toyota RAV4 has many formidable vehicles to challenge. Some buyers may compare it to the Nissan Qashqai, the Hyundai ix35 or the Mitsubishi ASX, but I firmly believe that this car is in better company when compared to brands and models such as the Mazda CX5, the Honda CR-V, the Ford Kuga, the Jeep Renegade and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
I also dare say that this is a car that can actually also feel pretty comfortable in the company of the more premium offerings such as the BMW X3, the Volvo XC60, the Audi Q5 and the Range Rover Evoque.
The build quality and solid feel of both the RAV4’s interior and exterior inspire a feel good factor and a sense of longevity. In a nutshell, it’s a car that is built to last. If one had to measure the length of all the cars mentioned above, from the ASX at one end to the Kuga at the other, the RAV4 would fall squarely in the middle.
Ever since its introduction, Toyota’s RAV4 has always been very easy to handle and not at all cumbersome to park, and this latest model has managed to keep up this very successful formula. Toyota’s own research has shown that customers value in no small way the car’s compact yet spacious dimensions.
The RAV4 can take on many guises and is suitable for a myriad of motoring needs. It can find its way very comfortably into family life and is great for weekend breaks, picnics and trips to the supermarket. What is also outstanding about it is that it can also be a very practical option for those business executives who require both style and space for their daily commute. The car’s excellent driving position, firm ride, supple suspension and driving dynamics are perfect for Malta’s awkward roads.
The RAV4 can take on many guises and is suitable for a myriad of motoring needs
Indeed, the RAV4 is very easy to drive and one can quickly get comfortable within the spacious and excellently designed cabin. The car boasts of a class-leading 10.6 metre turning circle, offering easy and stressless parking and manoeuvring opportunities.
The exterior design of the new RAV4 offers very sharp and modern lines which look great in any colour. The car’s large boot can take substantial luggage and vast amounts of shopping bags. The model on test also had an electrically operated rear tailgate which is definitely a very convenient extra to have. It was also equipped with a net that could be used to keep hard items from rolling about while driving... a rather neat addition.
While on the subject of options, the RAV4 has a lot to offer. Starting at just over €32,000, it is available in four option levels which would easily suit the requirements of most drivers. The model I tested also had heated leather seats, while the driver’s seat was also electrically operated. The well designed dashboard had all the switches in the right places, with many falling within the steering wheel as is the case with many of today’s vehicles. The interior was also clad with carbon fibre on the doors and stitched leather on the dashboard which adds class to what is already a very smart interior.
The RAV4 range comes in a variety of 2.0 litre petrol and 2.0 litre or 2.2 litre diesel engines. These can be combined to either front wheel-drive or an AWD set-up which are coupled with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. The CO2 emissions start at a reasonable 127g/km and the power output ranges from 124bhp for the 2.0 litre diesel up to 150bhp for the 2.0 litre petrol and 2.2 litre diesel engines.
Mechanically, the engines are very sound and the 2.2 diesel version driven for this test-drive was very smooth, both in terms of power delivery and most importantly, on noise levels. The engine was coupled to the six-speed automatic transmission which boasted a paddle-shift manual setting which was very quick in changes and very neat to use.
With the new RAV4, Toyota will clearly manage to keep traditional SUV buyers loyal to the brand and, simultaneously, attract a whole new fan base. Job well done!