What they said when the Toyota Rav 4 was new… (Dec 24 2001)
WITH diesel sales soaring it was only a matter of time before we saw the popular Toyota Rav 4 add to its petrol powered line-up.
The model which literally started the trend of fashion 4x4 models, the Rav4 has kept up with times and often been a benchmark for competitors.
Now it is available in the same three and five door body styles fitted with a 114bhp 2.0 litre common rail diesel developed from the unit used in the Avensis and matched to a five-speed manual box.
It emits 190 g/km of CO2 and returns about 39mpg, which make it particularly attractive to company car users, although they will have to stump up an additional £1,000 premium over the petrol equivalent. That seems hard to justify.
But its not to decry the Rav4 D-4D, which retains all the sharp handling and good ride qualities in the £18,700 five-door GX model we tested.
Extremely comfortable seats and plenty of room for five is matched with a good luggage capacity, but oddments room could have been better.
Visibility was excellent and noise levels were low except when the diesel engine was really pushed to its upper limits and at this point its performance tailed off as well.
The usual 0-60mph sprint took a reasonable 12 seconds and the maximum speed a leisurely 106mph - but that was not so important as the ease with which the Toyota Rav4 D-4D did anything asked of it. The automatic 4x4 system demanded nothing from the driver and this is reassuring for many buyers.
Its on and off-road ride was also good and it is certainly one of the sharpest handling sports utilities on sale.
Good handling, good comfort, good economy and a long warranty make it a very attractive new model in the range.
Words: Robin Roberts
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