The latest model Toyota RAV4 takes a significantly different direction from older ones. It's larger all previous models and is now aimed at the family car market rather than at singles and couples. Our road test of the 2010 Toyota RAV4 found showed it to be a capable family machine.

In previous road tests of the Toyota RAV4 we have tended to look at the upmarket V6 engine, the one with 200 kilowatts being developed from 3.5 litres. Also at models with all-wheel drive. While these are enjoyable vehicles to drive, a RAV4 with the works carries a $49,990 price tag, so can be out of reach of many families. This time around we have gone for the four-cylinder RAV4 with a five-speed manual gearbox and drive only to the front wheels. Costing $28,990, plus on-roads, it's within reach of many more potential buyers.

As we said, the Toyota RAV4 is now a family car. Four adults can get comfortable inside, and remain that way even on long Australian outback trips. There's excellent legroom in the back seat and headroom for all but the tallest.

Luggage space is good and the area is reasonably easy to access. That's partly because the spare wheel sits on the rear door instead of under the floor. This not only makes for a significantly larger boot, but also provides a low loading height. In fact the boot floor is not a lot higher than that of many conventional station wagons.

However, the rear mounted spare wheel can hide relatively large objects when reversing.

The RAV4 is a little soft in suspension and the steering lacks feel in the straight ahead position. But it can be argued that this light and easy feel goes with the non-sporting nature of the vehicle. Those more interested in comfortable riding than in attacking corners will like the way this family Toyota feels on the road.

Driving only two wheels can result in fuel saving benefits. In previous tests of the Toyota RAV4 V6 automatic we criticised it for using as much, if not more, petrol than a six-cylinder family car. The four-cylinder with 2WD is significantly better than the V6. Typically the 2.4-litre four-cylinder RAV4 will use seven to eight litres per hundred kilometres on easy country roads and on motorways. Around town this will probably sit in the nine to eleven litre range.