We review the Toyota RAV4 from price to economy and all its features
IT’S RAV4 meets 4-4-2!
Toyota launched their new RAV4 in Barcelona this week and, for our first drive, we took it to the concrete coliseum Nou Camp, home of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Villa.
But, for all their attacking prowess, Barca could do with a solid back four just like Toyota. The Catalans’ European glory hopes hang by a thread after losing 2-0 at AC Milan in their first leg Champions League knockout stage.
Toyota’s status as the world’s No1 car firm is currently not under threat thanks to their big four — the Aygo, Yaris, Auris and Avenisis — which underpin the company’s 834,000 global sales, an increase of 12,000 on 2011.
As they aim for a million global sales a year, Toyota now have their flair player as well. The GT86 has racked up awards and is just as magical as Barca’s Messi — and there’s an even more exciting GT86 cabrio on the way.
The GT86 is boosting kudos and sales figures. In the UK last year Toyota were also up over 12 per cent.
This RAV4, alongside the Prius hybrid range, is very much one of their strong midfield stars and is part of the vital formation that makes Toyota such a difficult team to beat.
Barca’s Euro hopes may be on the line, but this new ballsy RAV4 will keep Toyota scoring big.
First Drive: Toyota RAV4
CAST your mind back almost 20 years to 1994. Wet Wet Wet’s annoying Love Is All Around was No1 for 15 weeks, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black president and Four Weddings And A Funeral was the top film. And Liz Hurley wore THAT dress to the premiere.
In the car world a new fashion model was also causing a big stir. The RAV4 made its debut and kicked off one of the most popular trends in recent motoring history — the compact SUV.
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The RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel-drive) only had one rival then in the Honda CR-V — remarkably it now has 19 — including big names likes the Land Rover Freelander, Evoque, Kia Sportage, Hyundai ix35, Ford Kuga, Vauxhall Antara, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and VW Tiguan.
No wonder this is one of the fastest-growing markets with sales rising by around 18 per cent between 2008 and 2012 with more than 800,000 sales in Western Europe.
Three generations of RAV4 have been sold in more than 150 countries worldwide with impressive sales of over 4.5million. European markets account for more than 1.2million, while in the UK alone 155,500 RAV4s have been driven out of showrooms.
Those figures underline how important this car is to Toyota. But with so many new rivals, it has its work cut out to stand out from the crowd.
This fourth all-new version follows the brand’s ‘keen look’ design language that made its debut on the Auris — and is so much more dynamic than the current model.
The RAV4 gets a low-mounted Toyota badge, angular lines and narrow headlights. There’s also a more muscular bumper with squared-off edges.
We had the audacity to turn up at the Nou Camp in the pure white hue of their greatest rivals Real Madrid. It takes something to distract the locals and tourists from their Messi Mecca, but they loved the RAV4 and even the local mascot wanted a picture with it.
I’ve never been a big fan of plastic cladding on cars, but it somehow works, giving the front end extra strength and road presence. In white, it looks like a Stormtrooper — RAV4 meets Star Wars.
It’s bigger and more spacious. At 4,570mm, it’s 205mm longer and 30mm wider than the current model and is an identical length to its chief rival, the Honda CR-V. This includes a wheelbase that’s 100mm longer — meaning better rear legroom.
Practicality is boosted with a new top-hinged boot that replaces the side-opening tailgate. The spare wheel is no longer mounted on the tailgate, either, so together the changes make it a lot easier to load in confined spaces. The boot is big too, with 547litres of space — a 137litre increase. There are plenty of hooks for hanging large items while a cargo net — for oddments weighing up to 10kg — is useful for the weekly shop.
The interior is now of higher quality and features a centrally-mounted touchscreen that will be standard across the range. The dash is a business-like and quality design and, although the plastics are a bit bland in places, the carbon-fibre effect trim and new clear blue dash back-lighting adds more of a premium feel.
There are three trim levels — Active, Icon and Invincible. The latter two are borrowed from the RAV4’s all-out 4x4 big brothers, the Hilux pick-up and Land Cruiser. The mid-spec Icon — predicted to be the top seller — has all the kit you need, including auto lights and wipers, sports seats and Toyota’s touchscreen infotainment system.
It’s not all about show — there’s a greater focus on driving dynamics. It has 10mm less ground clearance for a lower centre of gravity but maintains its off-road ability.
The RAV4 will be offered with a 122bhp 2litre two-wheel-drive diesel, which has stop-start and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s expected to be the biggest seller and, with 57mpg and 127g/km, it’s economical for an SUV.
A second diesel, a 148bhp 2.2litre with all-wheel-drive, is available along with a 149bhp 2litre petrol engine, which comes with a CVT automatic gearbox.
On the road, it’s more school run than rugged. It’s a comfortable ride. It’s neither dynamic nor drab, it’s just does the job.
The only annoying aspect was my version had Toyota’s lane keep assist that beeps incessantly when moving lanes, making you feel like you’re driving a smoke alarm.
The best thing is that thanks to the entry-level 2WD, Toyota have managed to slash the starting price by £1,745. It goes on sale next month, starting from £22,595 for the 2litre diesel 2WD, all-wheel-drive starts at £25,595 for the Valvematic CVT petrol - and it comes with Toyota’s new five-year warranty announced this week.
Like most of the Toyota range — GT86 apart — this RAV4 doesn’t leap out, slap you round the chops and say ‘buy me’.
However, Toyota have this knack of producing cars that are like your favourite chair at home — not the most eye-catching object in the house but comfortable, reliable and you’re always pleased to be in it.
The RAV4 may not be the groundbreaker it was in 1994 but it remains one of the major players.
Likewise, the Nou Camp has been the stage for some of the greatest footballing acts over the past 20 years and helped Barcelona rule Europe on three more occasions.
Toyota have climbed to the world’s No1 car firm during those two decades. Unlike Barca, with their strong back four and quality like the RAV4, they will be much harder to knock off their perch.