KING OF THE SUBURBAN JUNGLE

It’s easy to see why this family-friendly hybrid SUV is hot property at the moment

VALUE

The cheapest ticket to a RAV4 is about $38,400 drive-away for the front-drive GX model, but our test car was the circa $50,000 Cruiser hybrid.

You pay $2500 extra for the hybrid engine, which has more power and uses considerably less fuel, especially around town. If you want the added assurance of all-wheel-drive, that adds another $3000 to the price tag.

The Cruiser is well equipped, with luxury items including heated and cooled leatheraccented seats, a sunroof, an excellent JBL sound system, in-built satnav, digital radio and a wireless phone charger.

The cabin doesn’t feel as hi-tech as the rival Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, which have digital driver display screens, but it’s userfriendly and spacious, with high quality materials and impressive fit and finish.

Services are cheap at $1150 for the first five years and the Toyota holds its value better than most rivals.

COMFORT

The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, with ample adjustment for all types and sizes of bodies. Ergonomics are sound and heated seats are a welcome inclusion for winter mornings and sore backs on long trips.

The aircon also delivers a wintry blast on hot summer days. There’s plenty of leg and head room in the back seats, while rear passengers have their own air vents and USB ports.

The rear load area is larger than most in the class and the tailgate can be opened and shut via the key fob, which is convenient if your hands are full.

The Toyota soaks up bumps and sharp edges better than most rivals and the cabin is quiet at speed on the freeway.

SAFETY

All RAV4s have an extensive range of active driver assistance tech including auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, auto high-beam, traffic-sign recognition and radar cruise control.

Rear cross-traffic alert is particularly handy when reversing out of the driveway while parking sensors front and rear add another level of protection when negotiating shopping mall carparks.

While cheaper models make do with a standard reversing camera, the Cruiser provides a “bird’s eye” view of the car and its surroundings.

The RAV4 was crash-tested in 2019 and scored a 93 per cent rating for adult occupant protection.

ON THE ROAD

A hybrid engine combined with a continuously variable transmission isn’t normally a recipe for driving joy but the RAV4’s set-up is surprisingly punchy.

While it lacks the grunt of a diesel and the punch of a turbo petrol, it is a smooth combination well suited to family cruising. Fuel economy is exceptional, particularly in stopstart traffic.

We managed roughly 5.4-5.8L/100km at freeway speeds, where the petrol engine will occasionally cut out when cruising to save fuel. Remarkably, consumption was roughly the same in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The engine will make itself heard under hard acceleration, but generally it’s quiet and refined.

The RAV4 is somehwat of a surprise packet on a twisting country road.

There’s the inevitable body roll you experience when changing direction in a highriding SUV but precise steering and well-sorted suspension inspire confidence through the bends.

The RAV4 is rarely unsettled by mid-corner bumps, providing a serene, controlled ride even on rougher surfaces.