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22/09/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
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The latest model Toyota RAV4, launched in Australia early in 2006, is significantly bigger than previous models and is now aimed at the family car market rather than the trendy singles and couples that its honourable ancestors serviced.
These days four adults can get comfortable inside a Toyota RAV4, even on long trips. There's excellent legroom in the back seat and headroom for all but the tallest. Wearing a hat is no problem, which is good news for those out there enjoying the great outdoors.
Luggage space is good and the area is reasonably easy to access. The spare wheel sits on the rear door and keeping it away from the underfloor area in the boot certainly pays dividends, not only in a larger boot, but also in providing a low loading height that’s not a lot higher than that of many car-based station wagons.
On the downside, the spare wheel and its cover can hide relatively large objects when reversing so drivers have to take extra care not to run over objects left on driveways.
The typical family load of two adults and three kids, with a pile of luggage will travel with room to spare in a Toyota RAV4 V6 wagon. This carrying capacity may surprise owners of the previous generations of Toyota RAV4s, but the new model really is in a completely different class to the ones it supersedes.
 We found the RAV4 to be a little soft in suspension and the steering to lack feel in the straight ahead position. But this light and easy feel goes with the cruisy nature of the engine so those more interested in comfortable riding than in attacking corners will like the way this family Toyota handles the endless ride-handling compromise.
Some complain the RAV4 is getting close to the Toyota Kluger in size, but new Kluger has grown as well. So the two are balancing one another out. On the other hand there is no longer a small 4WD in the Toyota range. Which is a surprise for a company that has dominated the 4WD market in Australia for many decades. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a smaller vehicle than the RAV4 introduced one day in the not too distant future.
Toyota RAV4 V6 uses a 3.5-litre engine producing 200 kilowatts. A high-tech unit, the V6 has twin overhead camshafts and variable valve timing to maximise efficiency, which includes reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. There's plenty of grunt at all times from this engine, indeed some may find it has almost too much off the line.
The inherent balance of a V6 makes it much smoother and quieter than a four-cylinder, so this RAV4 V6 is smooth and refined, with a real feeling of class and quality wherever it goes. There are times when we felt as though we were in a luxury sedan rather than a 4WD family wagon.
The RAV4 continues to be offered in four-cylinder format, at a lower price than the V6.
Rather than using fulltime 4WD, the latest RAV4 normally puts drive only to the front wheels. When there's too much slippage at the front some torque is transferred to the back wheels to help the vehicle maintain progress. Progress that lasts a lot longer than some oldtimers amongst four-wheel drivers might believe is possible. The recent advances in electronic assistance in all-wheel traction really are impressive in their ability to gather the maximum in traction.
This RAV4 comes only with a five-speed automatic transmission as Toyota feels there's now little interest in a manual gearbox in this vehicle class. But there's still a manual on offer in the RAV4 four-cylinder range.
Driving only two wheels can result in fuel saving benefits that are much appreciated in this day of seemingly endless petrol price rises. However, we found the RAV4 V6 to be thirstier than anticipated. Even on easy paced motorway running its consumption was typically in the 10 to 11 litres per hundred kilometres range. Around town it wasn’t unusual to see the fuel use climbing to the wrong side of 13 litres per hundred. Many six-cylinder family sedans will consume less fuel than this, showing the advantage of having a low-slung vehicle with better aerodynamics than an SUV.
If you are going to suffer the downside of owning a 4WD, such as the aforementioned higher fuel consumption, why not use this Toyota SUV for the purpose its designers intended. Instead of treating it purely as a people mover, why not explore some interesting forest trails, perhaps take it for a run on a beach, or even go for that long dreamt of expedition to the real outback? This Toyota is tougher and more capable than at first might appear obvious, hardly a surprise from a car maker that has dominated the 4WD scene in Australia for many decades.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
RAV4 CV 2.4-litre petrol five-door wagon - $31,990
RAV4 Cruiser 2.4-litre petrol five-door wagon - $37,490
RAV4 Cruiser L 2.4-litre petrol five-door wagon - $41,990
RAV4 CV6 3.5-litre petrol five-door wagon - $39,990
RAV4 SX6 3.5-litre petrol five-door wagon - $43,990
RAV4 ZR6 3.5-litre petrol five-door wagon - $49,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2000 option in four-cylinder mdoels, standard in V6 models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Not offered in CV, standard in all other models
Stability Control: Not offered in CV, standard in all other models
Traction Control: Not offered in CV, standard in all other models
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota RAV4 CV6 3.5-litre petrol five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 3.456 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Bore/Stroke: 94.0 x 83.0 mm
Maximum Power: 201 kW @ 6200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 333 Nm @ 4700 rpm
DRIVELINE:
4WD Type: Part-time
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Five-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4600 mm
Wheelbase: 2660 mm
Width: 1815 mm
Height: 1695 mm
Turning Circle: 10.6 metres
Kerb Mass: 1655 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (1900 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, double wishbones, lower trailing arm, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel Type: Petrol 91RON
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 10.5 L/100 km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km |
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