“Nice car. It’ll probably see you out,” I told him. He sputtered “I’m only 60!”
But in reality, it probably will. Not just because Toyotas have a reputation for reliability that ensures a premium price new and used, but also because this type of vehicle – the small SUV – is designed to be everything we need in a car. You can load the back with kids, dogs and gear or happily pop to the shops or the beach or much further afield and it will be just as comfortable and capable as you would wish for.
This class of vehicle is the way the industry is headed – practical all-rounders. They offer great visibility and are easy to drive but they are getting families and reps out of their mid-size and large cars and into the do-all ‘lifestyle’ vehicles. Most will never go off road and to be honest, with a couple of exceptions, aren’t designed to but people love the handgun-type reassurance it offers. “I hope I never have to use it but…”
The RAV4 is a fine example of this type and one of the biggest sellers. Power is dependent on your fuel type, abundant for the 2.2L diesel versions (110kW and 340Nm) and adequate for the 2.5L petrol versions (132kW and 233Nm) despite having to haul 1600kg. The petrol version is predictably smoother and quieter but I would consider forking out the extra few thousand for the diesel version. You may not get your money back for some years but the extra power gives a more relaxing and enjoyable drive.
I didn’t like the leather-clad wave design of the new dash, but I’ve been out-voted on this. Everyone – even people I hadn’t asked – thought it looked stylish. To me it just seemed out of step with what I thought was a conservative wheel and gauge layout: easy to read and comfortable to use it just seemed to have come from another vehicle.
The seats are great, even on a long trip, and though the front seems cosy for two people, the back seat looks enormous; and there’s 506-577L of boot capacity – depending on whether you opt for the space-saver or a full size spare under the boot floor.
Outside, the new design is chock full of scoops, flares and curves combining to make this mid-size vehicle look smaller than it really is. It will fit easily into a carpark at the supermarket, but this is no mini you can’t see in the back row.
The new and unusual colour range will help too, if you’re always losing your car and pressing the unlock button to fire the indicators – that is if you’re brave enough to actually choose a colour rather than cheat and go to a silver default.
Only the basic models are shamed with steel wheels: most come with nice 17” or 18” alloys. The range is comprehensive and starts with a 2WD for under the important $40,000 mark, to an all leather, heated seat, moon-roofed diesel version with Sat Nav among other goodies for an hilarious $62,790 plus on road costs.
If you are happy to pay that give me a call, I own a section on the moon that you can see though the glass roof – and it’s for sale at a bargain price.
www.rav4.co.nz or call 0800 TOYOTA
