Toyota RAV4 (2006 - 2013)

An off-road car is a solution to a problem no one has. There are few deserts in the Europe, nature is largely asphalted, acute avalanche danger is negligible and landslides are also not an issue.

Though SUVs (Sports Utility Vehciles) are bought in huge numbers. Their off-road capabilities are hardly used, if at all. Only the space and great towing power for trailers are used occasionally. However, the SUV driver is always faced with high costs and heavy burden on the environment. This problem was the starting point for the new RAV4: the car has been adapted step-by-step to actually meet market demand.

RAV4: appearance

What has remained is the rugged look of an off-roader. While the RAV4 looks imposing, it is lower than most of its competitors, which naturally gives it a sportier look.

It is inside, however, where the RAV4 picks up the real gains. The car is as immaculately finished as, say, Toyota's business flagship: the Avensis. The style is very different with big robust knobs and "technical" looking displays. The new RAV4 goes along with all the new trends with mp3 compatibility, Bluetooth phone pairing and a DVD-based navigation system.

SUV: Four-wheel drive

Every RAV4 comes with four-wheel drive, but that is meant more as a safety feature than a means of conquering the jungle. That is why Toyota shows no splash of mud and no grain of sand in its commercials for the RAV4, but bad weather and slippery road surfaces.

Despite this, the test car was still taken off-road, where performance is reasonable. The car has no low gearing, but it does have an (electronically simulated) diff-lock. Without going into the technology, that means Toyota has given the RAV4 basic off-road technology that makes the car barely more expensive but somewhat off-road worthy. Also, a handy braking aid "Hill-start Assist Control" makes stopping and pulling off again on slopes easier, without unnecessarily raising the price tag. The RAV4 is not a full-blown off-roader, but thanks to these thoughtful additions it is certainly capable of getting off the beaten track.

Four-wheel drive is at the heart of the safety system that makes the RAV4 unique. Almost all SUVs are equipped with anti-skid control, stability control and an anti-lock braking system. In the RAV4, however, these all work together, which is new. Even the power steering is linked to the "Integrated Drive System".

By distributing power between the front and rear wheels depending on the situation, skidding is prevented. If that is not enough, the electronic safety nets intervene together with the power steering. When the driver makes the correct steering correction, the steering wheel turns lightly. In case of a wrong manoeuvre, the steering wheel turns more heavily to help the driver literally and figuratively in the right direction.

The steering and roadholding are remarkably good by SUV standards, but still inferior to that of a regular hatchback. The RAV4 tilts when cornering quickly (or when taking evasive action!). When the limit is exceeded, the RAV4 understeers.

The brakes have an excellent feel and even when decelerating sharply, the RAV4 does not feel heavy or massive, but rather extremely controllable. However, as good as the computer-controlled safety system is and as much better the RAV4 steers than its competitors, in a hatchback all these aids are simply not necessary.

Passenger car: engines

SUVs are naturally tall and heavy which makes a car inefficient. Despite the fact that the RAV4 has grown considerably (175 mm longer, 30 mm wider), the car is 35 kg lighter than its predecessor. The aerodynamics habe also been improved and the RAV4 records the best score in its segment with a Cw value of 0.31.

Much more important are the new engines. On the delivery programme are an entirely newly developed 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and two diesels. These diesel engines have previously proven themselves in other Toyota models and deliver outstanding performance with low fuel consumption and minimal emissions. The petrol engine can be paired with an automatic gearbox, while the diesel engines are always paired with a  six-speed manual gearbox.

The test car is fitted with the lightest of the two diesel engines, making it go like a jet. On paper the performance is modest, in reality the RAV4 D-4D is downright quick. In city traffic, the RAV4 can merge at lightning speed, with the driver involuntarily looking behind him to see if the bricks are still in the road surface. On the motorway, the power of this lightest engine is enough to send hefty sedans to the right-hand lane with the redness of their cheeks. It is noticeable, however, that this diesel engine does not pick up as well at very low revs and is less quiet than in other Toyotas. Apart from these minor criticisms, the Toyota D-4D diesel engines are by far the best in this segment.

MPV: space

In terms of space, the RAV4 has an edge thanks to a clever layout of the available space. The front seat is generous and there is also enough room for two adults in the back seat. The rear seat backrest is adjustable. The entire rear seat is on rails to create more legroom or more luggage space as required.

Thanks to the "Easy Flat" system, the entire back seat can be folded up in a jiffy, after which a large cargo space with a flat loading floor is created. In practice, such a system proves so easy that it is used more often as a matter of course. In short: from safety via technology to space, the RAV4 offers a suitable solution for every problem.

Conclusion

The Autozine editors have a love-hate relationship with off-road cars, but the new Toyota RAV4 manages to dispel many of the objections. Toyota has listened carefully to its customers and comes up with a car that solves everyday problems and does not lapse into fantasies of an adventurous life limited to commercials. The RAV4 has therefore become less of an off-roader and more of a versatile car.

The off-road capabilities are above average, albeit the average in this segment is so low that it is easy to score. The real strength of the new RAV4 lies in its advanced engineering, which makes its on-road handling far above average. The diesel engines deliver excellent performance while the burden on the environment and the wallet has been significantly reduced. A crafty safety system links all electronic safety nets for the first time, making it extremely effective. Perhaps an SUV is still a solution to a problem not everyone has, but the RAV4 offers by far the smartest solution to that problem.