This was the car that had so few potential rivals, even motoring magazine Autocar was forced into comparing the puckish RAV4 with the Ford Escort RS2000 of the day. While now into its fifth generation, it has bucked trends and expectations by offering 2WD, 4WD and both diesel and petrol power units, latterly in hybrid and, for some markets, even fully electric forms.
In its earliest guise, it was a cheery, compact runabout, an image it has now shed in the latest variant. Based on the TNGA-K platform, which it shares with the latest Camry and Lexus ES models, it is produced in North America and Japan for a world market that is highly receptive to its broad appeal.
For the UK, it is available in both front and all-wheel drive forms, in Design, Excel and Dynamic trims. The test example is the most expensive (priced, pre-discount, from £36,945) and there is not much else that needs to be added to its complement of high-end detailing, latest driver aids and semi-autonomous features, as well as modest connectivity, although it lacks both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a sizeable omission. This RAV4 almost has it all.
Of course, Toyota is the world-leader in hybrid technology and the test car is powered by its latest 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine that develops a healthy 219bhp and a decent slug of torque (221lbs ft, between 3,600-5,200rpm). While it does not need to be encouraged to despatch the 0-60mph benchmark in a zesty 8.1s, or to reach its posted (and restricted) top speed of 112mph, it seldom feels as though its reserves of punch are enough. It is a factor exacerbated by Toyota’s reliance on CVT (constantly variable transmission) technology.
Hit the ‘loud’ pedal, which is a misnomer, because the car is actually very refined and well insulated, and the engine revs soar, as they wait for the car to catch-up. Around town it is virtually silent and the way its hybrid system works (totally imperceptibly) means that the driver never needs to intervene. Yes. You can modulate the throttle to reduce its revvy insistence but it can be annoying at times. Yet, I could never state that I was upset by its fuel economy, returning 45mpg almost regardless, against a stated WLTP figure of 47.8mpg, while emitting a mere and tax-friendly 101g/km CO2. It is almost as frugal as my 1.0-litre Suzuki Vitara!
Personally, I love RAV4’s exterior detailing and style. It looks like and is the big brother to the charming C-HR model and does possess a 4x4 system that works properly. Its interior is spacious, being significantly roomier than the previous generation model and it possesses a cavernous boot capacity from 580-1,690 litres, depending on whether the rear seats are being used or not.
