Old-school RAV4 still the most enjoyable
Even in entry-level specification, the RAV4 diesel has all the right components, says David Linklater.
First, the facts: this is an entry-level GXspecification Toyota RAV4 with a clattery diesel engine and AWD.
Second, my humble opinion: driving this seemingly very traditional iteration of New
Zealand’s best-selling SUV made me wonder whether the old ways might still be the best. I rather liked it. Looked forward to driving it every morning, even.
I couldn’t help but compare this RAV4 to the last one I drove, the top-specification Limited with the 2.0-litre engine and 2WD, because it’s within $1000 of the GX diesel. That’s probably applying unfair circumstance to the former, because there are nine different RAV4s from $38k to $61k. There’s no shortage of choice.
Nonetheless, what strikes me about the Limited 2WD in this context is that although it’s a very 2016-SUV and makes perfect sense (luxury equipment with the entry powertrain for urban drivers), it isn’t a package that gets the best from the RAV4 platform. It has lots of goodies but it’s lacklustre to drive. No character.
You might think that an everyman model like RAV4 and ‘‘character’’ are mutually exclusive. But the GX has it.
I’m a sucker for the businesslike tick of a turbodiesel anyway, but Toyota’s 2.2-litre engine makes a useful (if not class-leading) 340Nm at 2000rpm, and drives through a proper six-speed gearbox. It makes the Limited 2WD’s 187Nm/3600rpm and continuously variable transmission seems turgid at best.
The RAV4 – any RAV4 – has an accomplished chassis, but you need a decent powertrain and AWD to appreciate it. That’s two ticks for our test car, then. True, you can get Toyota’s compact-SUV with a 2.5-litre petrol engine that also boasts a six-speed ‘box and AWD, but it can’t match the diesel for sheer verve.
The oil-burner does cost an extra $2000 over the equivalent 2.5 petrol, but it’s almost as quick to 100kmh (there’s only 0.6sec in it) and it sips two litres less fuel per 100km (notwithstanding the dreaded RUCs, of course).
There’s not as much new equipment to get excited about in the GX, as there is with the rest of the facelifted RAV4 range. There are new selflevelling LED head- and tail-lights which are pretty swish, the 17-inch steel rims have a new design of ‘‘wheel cap’’ (I think that’s 2016-Toyota-speak for a hubcap), a sunglass holder, an extra accessory power outlet (total: three) and static guidelines for the reversing camera. You’ve already got sensors as well, but you need them because you can’t see a thing out the back of this SUV.
The GX doesn’t have the latest Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package of driving aids fitted to other RAV4 variants, which surprises me because I thought TSS was being rolled brand-wide out as new models appeared. I guess you can argue this isn’t strictly a new model.
But the GX does have hill-start assist, hill descent control, steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio and excellent six-way adjustment for the driver’s seat. It doesn’t feel bargain-basement.
It’s tempting to say that this is a good, honest compact-SUV. But that’s underselling it a bit. It’s also quite an engaging one.
TOYOTA RAV4 GX DIESEL Price: $46,990. Powertrain: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four, 110kW/ 340Nm, 6-speed automatic, AWD. Performance: 0-100kmh 10.0sec, Combined economy 6.6 l/100km. In a sentence: There’s something in SUV tradition.