Toyota Rav 4Andy Enright reports: The latest version of thew RAV4 was wheeled out to a broadly appreciative press at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and first impressions suggested that Toyota had retained many of the core strengths of the existing RAV4. With a taut ride and peppy engines, the first RAV4 was designed around the realisation that at least 90% of its life would be spent on-road. Dubbed the GTi of 4x4s, the RAV4 soon became the hot ticket in town. The second generation RAV4 was better in every respect. Better to drive, with an intriguing array of engines and layouts, it also cribbed a number of ideas from MPVs that made it more practical as well. The chunkier exterior looks went down well as did the sportier interior, the extra equipment and the choice of 1.8-litre two-wheel-drive three-door models as an alternative to the established two-litre four wheel drive. In late 2003 a far-reaching facelift was unveiled with the revised headlamp clusters and grille being the most noticeable alterations. With each successive iteration, the RAV4 has got bigger and better equipped. The third generation model represents the most radical change yet. Cute and chunky has been replaced with bold and aggressive. The frontal styling is still recognisably RAV4 but move aft and the new vehicle is a whole lot more angular and a good deal more spacious. There isnt a three-door version, Toyota reasoning that smaller leisure-oriented models werent making the numbers in the UK market. Break-out the tape measure and youll find the latest RAV4 is a whopping 145mm longer and a hefty 80mm wider. Couple that with smarter packaging and you end up with a car thats way bigger on the inside, offering some 25 per cent more luggage space. If youre worried that this will make it a nightmare to park, be reassured by the fact that its still shorter than something like a Honda CR-V or a Land Rover Freelander. The cabin is smartly-styled with an unusually curvaceous fascia thats quite unlike any other production car in its execution. While the main instruments are quite conventional, the centre console features a twin tiered design with metallic inserts and a circular theme for the minor controls. Higher quality plastics are used than is the compact 4x4 norm and a start button is included. The range-topping XT5 also comes furnished with leather upholstery, climate controlled air conditioning and satellite navigation. The RAV4 has long had a reputation for being impeccably built and the latest model bolsters that reputation with class-topping equipment levels. Rear seats that fold flat to the floor with one pull of a lever are one reason why the RAV4s load capacity has risen so dramatically and it also helps that the rear seats can be slid backwards and forwards over a range of 165mm, optimising either luggage space or rear passenger leg room. The seat folding action is particularly slick. Whereas some rivals may also claim flat folding rear seats, the reality is that you will often have to spend time dismantling the head restraints or risk a hernia from flipping seat bases up before the operation can be completed. Theres none of that palaver in the RAV4, a one-handed operation seeing the seat vanish flush with the load bay floor. As far as the oily bits go, youll have a choice of three powerplants. Likely to prove most popular is the 134bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel, an engine thats not shy of muscle and yet, which will average a creditable 42.2mpg. Business users will prick up their ears at the prospect of 177g/km emissions, which mean that theyre not about to get a wallop in the wallet when it comes to benefit in kind taxation. Naturally, its also Euro IV compliant. If your pockets are a little deeper or your right boot a little heavier, theres also a 175bhp version of that engine which will still eke 39.2 miles from a single gallon of diesel. If youre still not sold on the benefits of the black pump, Toyota also offer a 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine that may struggle when the cars fully-loaded but features an average 32.1mpg fuel economy figure. This generation RAV4 runs in front-wheel-drive mode most of the time but when slippage is detected, the car instantly switches to four-wheel-drive mode. A switch can lock the vehicle in all-wheel-drive and theres hill start as well as downhill assist controls but dont expect hardcore features like a low-range transfer box. Horses for courses and all that. Facts At A Glance For information on the history of Toyota cars, visit the website: www.toyota.co.jp/en/history/index.html |