By Mike Askew

November 2002

We live in strange times. Thanks to modern technology we can now read a newspaper on the Internet, take pictures with our phones and listen to the radio on our televisions. However, the idea of multi-skilling - as those in the technology business are wont to call it - is nothing new in the car industry. Take the Toyota RAV4, for example. It was one of the first off-roaders to have the road manners and refinement of a traditional hatchback - without any of the usual 4x4 drawbacks.
Today, cars built to the RAV4's template are everywhere. However, while much of the machinery in the sector is reaching the end of its first model cycle, Toyota has already followed up with a second-generation design. And over the next six months, we'll be running a five-door 2.0-litre D-4D version to see just how far things have come.
In terms of cabin packaging, the new version is a big improvement. Aside from the new-look dash that comes as a breath of fresh air with its two-tone plastics and chunky feel, the whole design has been created with the outdoor lifestyle in mind. Flexibility - not a strong point of the old car - is the key to its appeal. An extra few inches into the seat runners and degree of reclinability to the back chairs make the interior as adaptable as an MPV's. To date I've already used the rear as both a makeshift office and a van - something that would have been a struggle in the old model.
But the star of the show is the engine, which feels perfectly suited to the rest of the car. Thanks to a race weekend spent commuting between London and the Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire, the RAV4 racked up its first 1,000 miles in three days and left me seriously impressed by its hauling ability. Although not especially refined on start-up, once cruising it quietens down to such an extent that it is virtually indistinguishable as an oil-burner. It seems that 45-50mpg will be the norm, too. Another plus point is the gearbox, whose precision would shame some hot hatches. Indeed, the only thing that I would add is a sixth gear. The engine feels more than capable of pulling it, and it would result in even better economy figures.
As for the rest of the car, the suspension set-up is first class and strikes a decent balance between refinement and agility. RAV4s have always had a sporty feel, and this version is no different. Thanks to generous wheel travel and chunky tyres, the ride quality is just as it should be - absorbent but never spongy - while the steering is direct and delivers surprisingly detailed feedback. It's not quite the four-wheel-drive hot-hatch that the three-door model is, but if you're looking for a decent and entertaining family motor, it's worth considering.
In terms of fit and finish, everything seems tough and hardwearing - although the cabin has yet to be pressed into full family-carrying duties. The plastics look pretty robust, and if Toyotas of old are anything to go by, we're not expecting any problems in this area.
Complaints? To date the only negative feedback concerns the tailgate. It is side-hinged, which in itself isn't a problem, but means it doesn't open far enough to admit really wide items. I tried to load a large coffee table, but was scuppered not by the size of the luggage area, but because the door opening angle wouldn't allow it. Elsewhere, the dashboard has developed a creak where it meets the windscreen. It seems to happen only when the car is cold, and looks like one of those annoying problems that will miraculously disappears the moment the Toyota goes anywhere near a dealer.
Otherwise, the RAV4 has made a big impression on everyone who has driven it. Even those who wouldn't normally consider a 4x4 have been coming back for more. And you can't get a better recommendation than that.

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