Toyota RAV 4

9:28am Friday 16th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Motoring Editor STEVE NELSON finds out why a new model in the Toyota RAV 4 range is proving such a huge success.

FOURTEEN years ago, at a time when "soft-roaders" had not even gained acceptance, Toyota unveiled a vehicle that was about to change all that.

Taller than a family hatch but shorter than some saloons, the peculiarly-named RAV4 (Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4-wheel drive) even presented opportunities to drive off-road.

We all thought that sort of thing was best left to farmers in Land Rovers, but here was the Japanese take on the 4x4 - a rugged, comfortable and immensely practical car.

And as more and more of us opted for this mode of transport, the RAV 4's own sales graph went into orbit. Worldwide, we've now bought more than two million of them.

I first came across it in the late nineties when a dear friend, disabled through cancer, chose one under the Motorbility scheme. She loved "the Rav", particularly the ease of access and egress which went hand-in-hand with the higher driving position. There was plenty of room in the back for her wheelchair, and she found the transition from small sports car to high-riding 4x4 an easy one to make.

She - like many owners - was never going to take it off-road, and she treated it as nothing more than a bigger, more practical form of hatchback.

That conventional car feel is even more evident in the latest version, the third generation, which is longer and wider than its predecessor and has set new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment with premium levels of driving performance, quality, passenger comfort and equipment.

But two changes stand out from all others. Firstly, the interior is more flexible with the adoption of Toyota's Easy Flat system, which allows the rear seats (split 60/40) to be folded flat into the vehicle floor. A single lever action is all that's needed to do the job - headrests and the seat cushions can be left in place.

Secondly, two of Toyota's new generation 2.2-litre D-4D common rail diesel engines which first appeared in the Avensis and Verso were offered in RAV4 for the first time. Previously, only a 2.0-litre diesel was offered, and Toyota was now able to offer more power, better economy and a lower CO2 emissions figure.

The changes didn't stop there, of course. The exterior styling is less intimidating and the cabin feels even more like a well-built family hatch with all mod cons.

Then at the start of this year Toyota identified a gap in its four-model range and brought out the RAV4 XT-R to give added customer value and choice. It was a smart move, given the increased competition from the likes of Honda, and the diesel version of this model has become the most popular version of the lot.

What might be baffling to the customer is that even though XT-R goes far beyond the equipment level provided in the more expensive XT4 model, the XT-R actually costs less. Toyota calculates that it has a total added value worth £1,540 and and it comes in at £21,245.

One look at the XT-R will confirm that Toyota has gone to town on this model. It is distinguished by dark-tinted privacy glass, six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, a chrome-finished grille, front under-bumper protection plate and bespoke badging.

In place of a spare wheel is a tyre repair kit, and that has allowed for the rear-mounted spare to be deleted and a wide-opening tailgate, with side opening, put in place.

So far, so good, then. And it is just as inviting on the inside, where the specification includes dual-zone climate control, a six-speaker audio system with six-CD autochanger, Bluetooth for hands-free phone operation, steering wheel-mounted controls and sunroof. There are parking sensors, front fog lamps and heated retractable door mirrors, too, and leather upholstery is available as an option.

Unlike some off-roaders, body roll is minimal and thanks to its turbocharger engine never feels stretched. Combined with the new front suspension, it makes for excellent progress across all road surfaces and surprisingly good cornering for a vehicle of its type.

The drive system - Active Torque Control four-wheel drive - diverts the engine's power to the wheels that need it in an instant, providing optimum grip and handling. Far from being a gimmick, it's a clever piece of kit, distributing torque to both front and rear wheels when moving off from standstill but switching from four to front-wheel drive in normal driving conditions. And when the going gets tough, a 4WD lock button on the dashboard can help free the vehicle should an individual wheel lose grip in off-road conditions.

No one should be surprised at the sales success of such an accomplished car that shows great credentials for reliability, build quality and driving enjoyment. But the extra value to be found in the XT-R model means that it is now accounting for 81 per cent of sales across the range. Somehow I'm not surprised at that, either.

At a glance

Model: Toyota RAV4 XT-R 2.2 D-4D 140 5dr, from £21,245.

Engine: 2.2-litre diesel unit.

Power: 134bhp

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving all four wheels.

Performance: 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds; top speed of 112mph

Economy: 42.8mpg

CO2 Rating: 173g/km