Review
The Toyota RAV4 has always appealed strongly to people looking for an urban off-roader that majors on image and on-road manners rather than extreme off-road ability - and the third generation model is no exception.
The biggest difference is the increase in size. The RAV has moved up almost a whole segment, certainly in terms of interior space, and the three-door version has been dropped, with buyers now only able to opt for the very sensible five-door. Externally the styling is handsome without being too adventurous - it should blend into the school run perfectly.
Inside the cabin the good news continues. The RAV is spacious and well-finished, with decent quality materials and a well designed, well equipped cabin. Bootspace is respectable with the rear seats in place - and something approaching cavernous with them collapsed.
Driving manners are well-composed, with decent refinement and respectable enthusiasm on a backroad - although the high driving position and the extra sensation of roll this adds acts to discourage really fast progress. The 2.0 litre petrol engine can't muster too much urge - better to go for one of the excellent turbodiesels, with the basic 133 bhp version making a better case for itself than the expensive, range-topping 175 bhp D4D diesel. And in the unlikely even that the RAV takes a wrong turn and finds itself in a muddy field, it's even moderately talented off-road thanks to a clever lockable four-wheel drive system.
All but the range-topping version benefit from competitive pricing and decent standard equipment. Residuals should also be strong, helping to strengthen the RAV's case further.