Toyota RAV4

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
On the road price: £22,415 - £25,315
For : Quality, reliability, capable drive
Against : Diesel noise when pushed hard, very little else

The latest Toyota RAV4 is very much an evolution of a theme started back in 1994. It's the original compact SUV and, while it has grown over the years with three-door models disappearing, it remains an affordable and popular choice. Competing against the Land Rover Freelander and Honda CR-V, the RAV4 isn't quite as big as the others dimensionally, but clever packaging yields decent interior room and a gigantic boot (with side-hinged tailgate). You can well imagine how useful longer-wheelbase American seven-seater models are, though it's only five pews here. Those in the front face a super-quality dashboard and an environment that's much more refined than before; you feel less perched, even though the commanding driving position remains. Equipment levels are good, particularly on the BMW X3-rivalling, range-topping T180 model, though even XT3 trim is hardly short-changed. It offers MP3-compatible CD player, air con and alloys as standard.

The clever new four-wheel-drive system continuously reapportions drive to the wheels that need it most. This, along with a very advanced stability control system, makes the RAV4 a very safe, secure compact SUV to drive. Steering is light but accurate and, despite comfortable suspension settings that yield a decent ride, it's not excessively soft through bends. The 2.0-litre petrol engine really struggles though; best go for the 2.2-litre diesel, in either 134bhp or 175bhp guise (the latter unique to the T180). Both are strong and torquey, while the latter is genuinely quite rapid, though they're smooth but not quite as refined as they could be under acceleration. But even this minor point can't detract from how capable the RAV4 is. Factor in competitive prices and strong residuals, and you've a first-rate compact SUV.