If Toyota’s RAV4 still lingers in your mind as that rather small, trailblazing but bland, friendly, bulbous and practical runabout that had a certain ‘toy town’ air about it, think again.
The latest, fifth generation model is a world apart; hugely stylish, grown in stature and visual attitude, it’s more presidential-carrier than people-carrier, right down to its meaty twin exhaust pipes and fancy black alloy wheels.
What’s more, the latest version is, of course, a hybrid and a well-integrated one at that; so well integrated it’s easy to drive, easy to live with. It also demolishes all those preconceptions about ‘Chelsea tractors’ – not least as this one actually emits less CO2 than a 1.0-litre Ford Fiesta.
So what is the latest RAV4 all about? It’s a full five-seater family SUV with plenty of space inside, a nice big boot and that high-up riding position beloved of nosy family such as my own, who like to peer over walls, hedges and fences - and other traffic – as we drive around.
It’s powered by a four-cylinder engine of 2,487ccs developing – together with its electric motor – 219bhp, propelling it to a top speed of 112mph and from 0-60mph in just 8.1 seconds. You’d describe its performance as brisk, rather than fast and for the record, rivals include Honda’s CR-V, the Peugeot 5008 and the Skoda Kodiaq although unlike the last two, the RAV4 doesn’t offer seven seats.
As a regular hybrid, you get the best of both worlds; it self-charges as it drives along, so you don’t plug it in although, of course, you do still have to visit the filling station to top up with petrol.
The downside – as with any non plug-in hybrid - is that you can’t go very far on electric power alone but that was never the intention, the electric motor mostly being used to work in tandem with the petrol engine, producing more power, helping to keep emissions low, and MPG high.
You can select the EV button to proceed on electric power alone – but only for very short distances. Really, it’s better to let the car make up its own mind about switching between the two sources of power, a job it does very smoothly (almost unnoticeably) via its equally smooth automatic electric CVT gearbox.
One – minor – downside of the extra batteries this vehicle has to carry, with all the attendant extra weight, is that its ride is perhaps not as serene as some family SUV competitors, though this is by no means a deal breaker. It’s just that over rougher, potholed surfaces you are aware of the extra ‘stiffness’ dialled into the suspension to compensate.
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It’s not the nimblest in its class – for the same reasons – but is nevertheless easy and smooth to drive. The model we tested did have all-wheel-drive so grip was never an issue. Alongside the EV, all-electric button, is a ‘Trail’ button, for venturing (a short way) off-road.
The Dynamic AWD came packed with equipment, including Toyota Safety Sense (pre-collision system with night/daytime pedestrian detection and daytime cyclist detection, lane departure alert and so on) as well as blue ambient lighting, rear cabin air vents, very smart indeed 18-inch black five-spoke alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. It also had a powered tailgate and a power opening panoramic roof.
A particularly useful feature was a big, plastic ‘trough’ under the rear boot floor – great for dirty walking boots or wet, hairy dog blankets.
Refinement is not in doubt on this handsome SUV either; the RAV4 is particularly hushed in city stop-start traffic thanks to the hybrid set-up. Vision out is good too. Out on the open road it’s no sportster; it is best driven in a leisurely, laid-back fashion, especially with its tactile, fluid steering – just right for the new, post-lockdown zeitgeist and I rather like it.
Details: Toyota RAV4 Dynamic AWD
Price: £37,490 (range starts at £33,450)
Top speed: 112 mph
0-62 mph: 8.1 seconds
MPG (WLTP) 47.8 – 48.7
CO2 emissions: 101/1312 g/km
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