Toyota RAV4 GXL 2013 Review

Toyota RAV4

What we liked:
>> Comfortable seating
>> Improved driveability
>> Capped-price servicing

Not so much:
>> Poor voice recognition software
>> No rear seat ventilation outlets
>> Interior creaks and rattles

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 132kW / 233Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel / CO2: 8.5L/100km / 198g/km
Wheels / Tyres: 17x7.0-inch / 225/65
Safety: Seven airbags / Five-star (ANCAP)

Incidentally, choosing a space saver spare ups capacity to 1866 litres. The Toyota also offered a cargo net and secure cover for the rear section and 60:40 split-folding seats.

Ergonomically, the RAV4 offered comfortable seats and a solid driving position, but was scored down for its clunky interface and switches hidden from view. These included the ignition button.

Small spaces in the rear doors limited RAV4’s storage of bottles and other odds and ends, though it did offer dual rear map pockets.

Rear-seat passengers found the tinted second-row windows made for a dark cabin, though the ability to adjust the vertical angle of the rear seat was a bonus.

The rear cabin was also narrow, as evidenced by the RAV4’s last-place ranking in rear shoulder space, and there was not a lot of toe room under the front seats.

On the road, the RAV4 let in noticeable tyre roar, however, the engine was refined throughout the rev range.

All-round visibility was good, though the rear centre seat-belt could distract when viewed through the centre mirror. The low-hanging front exhaust section was a concern off-road, as an obstacle could easily damage it – something that shouldn’t be an issue in this class.

With the notable exception of trim above a recess in the passenger’s side of the dash, there were few sharp edges to be found in the RAV4’s disjointed, designed-by-committee interior. It was, however, let down by the cheap and plasticky feel of the ventilation control knobs – especially when compared with the Kuga and CX-5. The rest of the switchgear generally lacked a positive feel.

Panel gaps on the RAV4 tested were not as consistent as the other contenders, with uneven spacing on the tailgate. Ggaps were generally tighter than the CX-5, although not at tight as those of the Kuga.

On the vehicle tested, the paintwork – including roof rails – was a gleaming shade of silver, its lustrous sparkle and shine making the Toyota the best of the bunch in this regard.

A thick chrome strip on the lower front bumper added to the classy feel, while the plastic wheel arch cladding was second only to the CR-V for solidity and looks.

Compared with all but the Forester, the RAV4’s engine bay presentation was lacking, with raw aluminium on the engine and no plastic cover.

The RAV4’s doors felt light but closed with a satisfying thunk and the boot floor was carpeted, with the covering seamlessly continuing onto the back of the rear bench.

ON THE ROAD
If there was a surprise pack in this group, it was the RAV4 which, like the Corolla recently reviewed in our 10-car Small car mega-test, seems to have found a new level of dynamic finesse over its predecessors.

The RAV4’s combination of disciplined handling and impressively peppy 132kW/233Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine made it one of the more spirited and entertaining performers.

The free-revving engine combined nicely with a six-speed automatic to deliver better response than the Honda CR-V, and a more energetic feeling, if not necessarily quicker performance to the Subaru Forester.

The RAV4's claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km ranked it as one of the thirstier SUVs, bettering only the Honda CR-V. But in real-world conditions it did slightly better, managing best and worst figures of 8.3 and 20.0L/100km respectively, ranking it mid-field.

While it lacked the ultimate handling finesse of the Ford Kuga, and the nicely measured compromise achieved by the Mazda CX-5, the compact Toyota was definitely an engaging and fun drive that rarely put a foot wrong.

Its steering lacked the accuracy of the Kuga, with a tendency to go wooden when loaded up mid-corner, but was otherwise decently weighted, accurate and capable of transmitting a semblance of road feel.

The handling came at some expense to ride quality, though, and here the Toyota trailed the more compliant and better judged Mazda.

Some judges noted excess noise from gravel flicking up into the wheel arches on our gravel test loop, although this wasn’t confined to the Toyota.

Similarly, the sometimes erratic intervention of the RAV4’s stability control on gravel also drew some criticism, but this again was a fairly commonly-shared trait.

A clear 6.1-inch touchscreen was home to audio, telephony, and vehicle information and settings, though much of this could also be controlled from the multi-function steering wheel – except cruise control, which was operated via a stalk at the steering wheel’s lower right-hand side.

Although the RAV4’s eclectic design aesthetic drew criticism from some of our judges, it did allow simple navigation of many buttons and dials. Not simple, however, was the incoherent voice control system whose multiple steps and commands saw our patience run out.

The Toyota RAV4 was our only vehicle on test to offer both downhill assist control and a differential lock as standard. As in the Forester, the RAV4 also offered additional drive modes, ECON and Sport in the case of the Toyota. It also offers keyless entry and a push-button ignition.

Sadly, omissions such a lack of second-row air vents and satellite navigation saw the RAV4 lose pace with some of its peers.

Again with an industry-standard three-year/100,000km warranty, the RAV4 did not rise to the top of the class. Service intervals were, like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, short at six months/10,000km (whichever comes first). Roadside assistance was not included.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The Toyota capped price ‘Service Advantage’ scheme sees the RAV4 covered by a $170 flat fee during the warranty period (three-years/100,000km).

The RAV4 also proved strong in retained value. Redbook tells us that a similarly specified three year old RAV4 Cruiser holds a median private sale price of $25,150 – or 65 per cent of its ‘as new’ price.