Toyota RAV4 2010 review

Just how torturous on a vehicle is a private school driveway? As tough as a week competing in the Dakar, going by the arrivals at the kiss `n' ride bay at any well-funded school.  Few vehicles in the history of man have been so over-engineered as Mums' taxis. Even the Trojan Horse pales by comparison.

But a few manufacturers have smartened up. Their 4WDs are actually 2WDs, saving money on the purchase price, fuel consumption and even tyre wear.  Hyundai did it with the Tucson City, though train spotters note the City logo as being the cheaper model.

Toyota now adds a 2WD RAV4 to its line-up, dispensing with any badge changes so from the outside at least, the driver basks in the adventurist glow that inspires all SUV sales.  Beneath the soft lines of the little wagon is the same 2.4-litre engine and choice of four-speed automatic or five-speed manual. Basically, the driveline to the rear wheels is removed, saving about 60kg over the all-wheel drive version.

Shedding a few kilos picks up all the athletism enjoyed by a successful Biggest Loser contestant. But it does change the way the RAV4 handles.  It feels more nimble and smarter off the lights. Cornering prowess is about the same, with the new wagon feeling like what it is - a front-wheel drive car.

Pushed through a corner will reveal typical understeer. In comparison, the all-wheel drive's rear end can be felt driving through the bend and so feels more confident.

Which one's better? They're both pretty good but just feel different and need a different approach.  However, in its role as a suburban taxi the handling dynamics are unlikely to become the subject of intense debate over a latte.

What will interest buyers is the versatility of the new RAV4 model and its starting price of $28,990. That's $3000 cheaper than the all-wheel drive model and there's no difference in the feature list.

I don't have to tell you that $3000 is a lot of money. In the automatic version tested, the $30,990 price - plus on-road costs - makes it an affordable, durable and versatile family wagon.

Styling

The Toyota RAV4 has been around a long time. That's the good news and the bad news.  Up against the latest arrival in the compact SUV segment - the strikingly-chiseled Hyundai ix35 - the RAV4 looks very conservative, almost dated in appearance.

People like trendy things and, unfortunately, to many the RAV4 is considered conservatively styled.  That styling simplicity slides through the doors and impregnates the cabin and, though neat and functional, is a bit plain.

The upside is that the Toyota is like a really good facelift - it will last for quite a while and disguise the intervening years. Your friends may never know the true age.  That's good for resale value and one look at second-hand car market will prove the point that the RAV4 remains in demand and commands strong prices.

Size and space

Though it's classed as a compact SUV, the RAV4 range is not puny. The latest models seat five adults and come with neat features like a sliding rear seat that expands or diminishes the cargo area depending on the size of the back seat passengers.

It means that carrying toddlers on booster seats will allow the seat to be rolled forward and so expand the boot to absorb a pram or two. It's a handy feature that will endear the car to young families.

There's also plenty of personal storage space including two gloveboxes, one being lockable, and a height adjustable driver's seat that combines with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel to find that perfect driving position.

Fit-out and equipment

Controls and switchgear are big and bold for ease of use and there's controls for the audio on the steering-wheel spokes. Cruise control is standard on all models, including the base CV tested here.

Also standard is stability control and ABS brakes, a four-star crash rating (out of five) and two airbags. Optional packs are available for more airbags which are very desirable.