Toyota RAV4
Ratings
4 stars
Summary
Recommended. The new RAV is bigger, faster and roomier than the car it replaces - so where does it fit into the hard-fought softroader segment?
Review
The Toyota RAV4 has always appealed strongly to people looking for an urban off-roader that majors on image and on-road manners rather than extreme off-road ability - and the third generation model is no exception.
The biggest difference is the increase in size. The RAV has moved up almost a whole segment, certainly in terms of interior space, and the three-door version has been dropped, with buyers now only able to opt for the very sensible five-door. Externally the styling is handsome without being too adventurous - it should blend into the school run perfectly.
Inside the cabin the good news continues. The RAV is spacious and well-finished, with decent quality materials and a well designed, well equipped cabin. Bootspace is respectable with the rear seats in place - and something approaching cavernous with them collapsed.
Driving manners are well-composed, with decent refinement and respectable enthusiasm on a backroad - although the high driving position and the extra sensation of roll this adds acts to discourage really fast progress. The 2.0 litre petrol engine can't muster too much urge - better to go for one of the excellent turbodiesels, with the basic 133 bhp version making a better case for itself than the expensive, range-topping 175 bhp D4D diesel. And in the unlikely even that the RAV takes a wrong turn and finds itself in a muddy field, it's even moderately talented off-road thanks to a clever lockable four-wheel drive system.
All but the range-topping version benefit from competitive pricing and decent standard equipment. Residuals should also be strong, helping to strengthen the RAV's case further.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
3 star
Handsome but unimaginative - the RAV looks like a slightly bigger version of the previous model.
Handling
4 star
Composed and refined, although driver enthusiasm will be limited by the high seating position. Numb steering takes the edge off dynamic appeal.
Comfort
4 star
Comfortable and well-insulated, the RAV is an excellent motorway companion. The cabin is spacious and rear occupants benefit from a sliding back seat.
Quality & Reliability
4 star
Toyota wrote the book on quality - and the RAV is no exception. Plasticky rivals could learn plenty from studying its cabin.
Performance
3 star
The petrol engine has to be worked too hard to make decent progress - and the range-topping 175 bhp diesel is too expensive considering the performance on offer. More basic 134 bhp D4D diesel is therefore our recommendation.
Roominess
4 star
Spacious, well-finished cabin is packed with useful features and cubby holes.
Running Costs
4 star
Diesel engines turn in excellent fuel economy, and servicing costs should be reasonable too.
Value for money
3 star
Pricey range topper knocks the RAV's value for money credentials, but more basic versions offer plenty of kit for the outlay.
