Great value from Toyota RAV 4
EQUALLY AT HOME OFF-ROAD OR AS AN URBAN AND RURAL CRUISER Safety is key and this latest model, with a 5-star rating, has seven airbags.
With more than five and a half million sold over twenty two years, Toyota’s RAV 4 has undergone many changes and has been pushed hard by Korean competitors Hyundai and Kia for a share of the compact SUV market. Toyota’s latest incarnation is the generation 4.5 – and we tested the latest RAV 4 2.2 D-4D AWD GX version from the five model lineup.
The previous generation was larger than its predecessor and this trend continues, providing more passenger and cargo space.
Although not radically different, the face-lifted RAV 4 sports LED headlights, a large lower air intake flanked by recessed driving lights and a much bigger Toyota logo. The rear treatment features a restyled deeper tailgate, functional underbody valences and LED tail lights. Roof rails and alloy wheels complete the look.
The GX also features auto headlamp levelling, an overhead console, three 12 volt accessory connectors, a rear monitor, mud flaps, chrome grille detail, auto door locking and alarm and trailer sway control.
The interior reflects the most obvious changes with a more premium feel provided by soft touch materials complementing the conventional hard plastic trim. Standard equipment is the seven-inch Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system and the infotainment system is a lot simpler to use.
Passenger comfort is very good with plenty of leg, head and lateral space and good supportive seating all round. Luggage space is good at 480 litres with the rear seat backrest having a 60:40 split which means much greater capacity is available if you do not have to occupy all the seats.
The RAV 4 is five-star rated and feature seven airbags, with a driver’s knee airbag and front seat side airbags, ABS with EBD, BA, VSC and TRC. Being the GX and all wheel drive version, it also offers VSC+ integrating VSC and the electric power steering.
Having experienced this specific model on launch in the deep sand roads of southern Mozambique, this time I was more interested in the vehicle as an urban and rural cruiser rather than an off roader.
On and around varying surface roads of the western and southern Cape was a pleasure, as I have said comfort and ride quality are extremely good and offer relaxed motoring. But this does not compromise the chassis dynamics, the car handling well on all surfaces both wet and dry.
Although the six speed manual transmission has received some criticism, I found the shift positive and light. But it is under the bonnet that makes this a pleasure to drive. The 2.2 litre 16-valve, DOHC, turbocharged diesel delivers 110kW at 3600rpm and more significantly 340Nm of torque available between 2000 and 2800rpm.
Fuel economy was good with an average of 7.0 litres / 100km for the duration of the test period, that’s a tank range of over 850km.
The latest incarnation of the RAV 4 is proof that Toyota are still very strong in the compact SUV market.