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Toyota Rav4 2.2 D-4D SR180 Road Test Report

2.2 D-4D SR180

The first RAV4 hit the streets way in 1994. Initially in 3-door guise, it bravely pioneered the still highly popular soft-roader niche. Since then the ‘RAV’ has been completely re-designed twice and grown in size, but along the way has become not only Europe’s best-selling SUV, but the world’s best-selling compact SUV.

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Performance

Today’s RAV4 comes with either a 2-litre 150bhp petrol 4cyl engine or a 4cyl 2.2-litre D-4D with either 134bhp or 175bhp. I tested the 175bhp SR180 diesel (introduced July ’08) which also boasts a substantial 295lb/ft of torque from as low as 2,000rpm and so, almost regardless of which of the six gears you’re in, there’s always really energetic acceleration available with just a light touch of the throttle. In common with other really punchy turbodiesels – this, incidentally, is the most powerful in its class – the bare bones of the SR180’s performance figures really don’t tell the whole story. For the record they’re 0-62mph in 9.3 secs with a 124mph maximum.

Ride & Handling

One of the main reasons for the RAV4’s enduring popularity is that it doesn’t drive like the bouncy, agricultural 4x4s of yesteryear, but like a compliant and composed modern saloon. The ride height of the all-wheel-drive RAV is a little higher than a saloon’s, but you have to drive the wheels off it to notice any difference in steering and handling, and even then it’s only a tad more body roll. Compared with other 4WDs with off-road pretentions, the RAV drives as well as any, and better than most. Speaking of off-road, I didn’t go there. With road tyres on 18-inch alloy wheels and tinted rear glass, it didn’t seem right.

Build Quality & Reliability

No car can or will ever be everlasting, but the RAV4 comes about as close as it’s currently possible to get. This D4-D engine sees service in other Toyota and Lexus models so it’s tried, tested and proven. Everything about the RAV4, inside and out, looks and feels solid, well-built and durable. Couple this with top-notch customer service and it’s easy to see how Toyota continues to shine in independent ownership surveys.

Safety & Security

With 4, 4 and 3 stars for occupant, child and pedestrian safety respectively, the RAV4 fares pretty well in the EuroNCAP tests. The SR180 version has a long list of safety features and equipment as standard, which includes: front airbags and front side airbags for driver and passenger, front and rear curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front and rear seatbelts with Electronic Load Retractors, whiplash injury lessening front seats, Isofix child seat brackets, ABS, EBD, VSC+, Active front/rear Torque Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, a limited-slip differential and run-flat tyres with a tyre pressure warning system. There’s also remote central locking with double locks and a sophisticated alarm.

Space & Practicality

As we all know, most people don’t buy soft-roaders to actually drive off-road; they buy them for space and practicality, and in the case of the RAV4, here’s why. Without moving or removing the rear seat cushions and headrests, the rear seats can be easily folded down to reveal a flat, 1,469-litre loadspace. The rear seats are split 60/40 and can be individually reclined and slid fore and aft. There’s also a 50-litre storage space under the boot’s floor, while up front there are two gloveboxes (one of them cooled), large door pockets with bottle holders, a mobile phone holder and illuminated cupholders.

Ownership & Value

Being the most powerful and consequently the fastest RAV4, the £23k SR180 isn’t either the cheapest or the most economic RAV4 model to run, but with CO2 emissions at 185g/km and a combined figure of 40.4mpg, there’s a long list of SUVs that do a whole lot worse. A 20,000 mile major service interval, a 60,000mile/3yr warranty and Toyota’s strong reputation for trouble-free motoring do it no harm either, and that’s without mentioning the standard-fitment cruise control, electric sunroof, 6-speaker/6-CD stereo and dual-zone climate control. All things considered it’s little wonder that the RAV4 sells as well as it does.

Submitted: 27/11/2008 14:38:44

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