Toyota RAV4 Video Reviews

At the top of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 range is the Edge variant, which - this time around - is sold both with a petrol powertrain and a hybrid option.

Toyota RAV4 hybrid vs MG HS PHEV comparison

Do you want a mid-size SUV that looks nice, drives well, has impressive fuel economy and will help you single-handedly save the world? Meet the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD hybrid.

Toyota's RAV4 has turned 25, and in its new, fifth-generation, very much all grown up.

This week CarsGuide family editor, Nedahl Stelio, drove the Toyota RAV4 GXL AWD 2.5L petrol SUV, and there wasn't a whole lot to complain about. But there wasn't a lot to sing about, either.

Never underestimate a cat -- they're surefooted, sleek and agile. The words come from Makoto Arimoto, charismatic chief engineer of the totally restyled Toyota RAV4. And he should know, he has 18 cats.So it's no surprise that the compact SUV has more than a touch of feline in its looks and performance. The fourth generation of the super-popular RAV4 has just launched with two four-cylinder petrol engines: a 2.0 and a 2.5-litre, and its first diesel a 2.2 litre.VALUEDespite big improvements throughout, most models are at the same level, or less than the outgoing version. The GX 2.0-litre 2WD manual is $28,490 ($500 less), the all-wheel-drives are from $31,990 (same as superseded models) and the top of the pops Cruiser AWD automatic is $48,990 (a saving of $1000). There are 16 models, three up from 2012. Gone are the three-door and the V6.All models get Bluetooth phone and music connectivity, a 60/40 split-fold reclining rear seat, roof rails, rear spoiler, cargo net and tonneau cover. Here's another thing about Makoto Arimoto: he was once a guitarist and vocalist in a Tokyo rock band, so the Rav4's six-speaker audio system should not to be underestimated.The entry GX grade is pretty well spec'd with 17-inch steel wheels, projector headlights, a CD thingo and fabric seat coverings. The GXL has alloy wheels, reversing camera, display audio, sports seats, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, keyless smart entry and push-button ignition and Cruisers add Satnav, a blind-spot monitor, power cargo door, high-intensity discharge headlights, eight-way power driver's seat and a glass sunroof.Most also get a sport button, which sharpens torque distribution and steering and auto transmission response.TECHNOLOGYThe petrol engines are a 2.0-litre 107kW/187Nm and a 2.5-litre 132kW/233Nm, while the debut turbo-diesel is a common-rail 2.2-litre unit producing 110kW/340Nm. All three come standard with new six-speed manual transmissions. Interestingly, the GX 2WD has the option of a seven-step CVT, said to be best for economy, but AWD models get a six-speed auto. Difference is 7.4 litres/100km with the CVT, 8.4 with the auto.The diesel is rated at 5.6 manual and 6.5 with the self-shifter. There's new suspension too, Macstruts up front and a sophisticated double-wishbone set-up at the rear. Oddly, the high-torque diesel has the poorest tow capacity: 550kg as opposed to the GX's 800kg and the AWD 2.5's 1500kg.How so? It's new and we'd rather be conservative, was the unconvincing answer.DESIGNThe car has a dynamic look, which Toyota calls the `strong athlete'. But with its bright, narrow, slanted eyes and flared nostrils, it looks rather like a cat about to pounce. It has a rearward-sloping roof and a character line, and the top-hinged tailgate and 17-inch wheels, alloys on all but GX - which add to the action image.DRIVINGThe new RAV4 has a stiffer frame that, with the new suspension, helps in the handling section. The car, slightly bigger inside than before and a smidgen smaller outside, has 577 litres of cargo capacity. It is a pleasure on the road, and can also handle a fair degree of offroad action.Yes, the AWD did display surefootedness and agility on the twisty ups and downs of the Sapphire Coastal roads. Looked jolly good too, with its LED daytime lights aglow and with a gentle purr from its diesel motor. The windscreen pillars are thinner, the bonnet edges a bit higher, which make for better forward vision and more precise parking.The RAV4 has the latest in stability control and the safety package includes traction control, ABS, hill start assist and the rest of the electronic aid alphabet.VERDICTThe cat's whiskers of the compact SUV class.

Toyota’s RAV4 has long been a major player in the Australian market, with tens of thousands having been sold over the years. Though it began life as a cheeky little vehicle for the young at heart it has grown in size in the current generation and is nowadays a family wagon rather than a toy.Toyota Australia has released a special edition of its popular RAV4 compact SUV with what it describes comes with over $3500 worth of extra-value features.The recommended retail price for the special edition Toyota RAV4 Altitude with a manual gearbox and two-wheel drive is $29,990. This is an increase of just $1000 on the RAV4 CV on which it is based. Features beyond the standard CV model grade include satellite navigation and 17-inch alloy wheels (in lieu of steel wheels). Note that the spare wheel is also an alloy unit, something that’s not always the case. Exterior features also include silver roof rails, front fog lamps, rear-quarter, rear-door and rear privacy glass, and an 'Altitude' exterior badge.Inside, the RAV4 Altitude SE also has a premium steering wheel and premium gear-shift knob, 6.1-inch LCD touch-screen audio unit, satellite navigation with 3-D display and Suna traffic warnings, as well as voice recognition for audio controls, Bluetooth phone control and navigation control.The 40-Watt audio head unit includes a single CD player, an SD Card slot, rear camera input capability, USB connectivity, iPod control, and Bluetooth audio-streaming.The RAV4 'Altitude' Special Edition is based on the 2WD and AWD RAV4 four-cylinder CV models, but at this stage at lease, there is no V6 variant in this format. Toyota won’t confirm or deny speculation that the big power V6 will also be introduced as a special edition.All RAV4 models, irrespective of their grade have electric power-assisted steering to trim fuel consumption. It is offered in 2WD with manual or automatic transmission, but the all-wheel-drive (AWD) comes only with the automatic. Automatic transmission models have the additional feature of Downhill Assist Control.Safety features include vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and Hill-start Assist Control as standard equipment. Toyota RAV4 Altitude also has the added security of two reverse parking sonar sensors.With Toyota’s expertise in 4WDs behind it the RAV4 is much more competent off-road than most owners realise. In 4WD format it can go well into the bush or onto beaches and even tackle pretty severe rocky slopes in the hand of a competent driver. Even the 2WD versions of the RAV4 can do a fair bit of all-road work thanks to their good ground clearance and reasonably long suspension travel.Only 2000 of this special edition RAV4 will be built for Australia, so get in touch with a dealer soon as this market is booming and supplies may not last.