Toyota RAV4 Crossover full 9 point review

  • Performance

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad Just two engines are now on offer; a 148bhp 2.2 D-4D diesel and the 156bhp 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol. The diesel is strong when you’re in the power band, but slightly lazy when you’re not. Still, it’s definitely the one to pick if you plan to tow regularly, and it comes with the option of an automatic gearbox.

  • Ride & Handling

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad The RAV4 doesn’t handle as neatly as many more modern crossovers. The steering is vague, the body leans over in bends, and the whole car feels cumbersome and unwieldy for its size. The ride is firm, too, which means the RAV4 doesn’t feel very civilised when you’re cruising, either.

  • Refinement

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad The diesel engine can be rather loud and harsh when worked hard, and there is more than the odd creak from the interior. The manual gearbox is stiff and awkward, too. It’s all slightly crude, and not on a par with the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 3007 and Nissan Qashqai. Some wind- and road noise penetrates the cabin, too.

  • Buying & Owning

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership Prices aren’t cheap, but they’re pretty competitive compared with other SUVs, and resale values are decent - especially with the diesel engine. The diesel’s fuel economy isn’t too bad, either – the four-wheel drive car does 48.7mpg and emits 154g/km, while the front-driver does slightly better. Tax and insurance premiums are relatively low, too.

  • Quality & Reliability

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership The RAV4 is backed up by a fine five-year warranty, but Toyota has an excellent record for reliability and build quality, and the RAV4 is as tough and durable as its best products - it was in the top 10 overall in the 2011 JD Power survey. The dealers have a good reputation, too, so RAV4 ownership should be hassle-free. Some of the plastic and carpeting used in the cabin looks a bit cheap, but that's the only disappointment as far as quality is concerned.

  • Safety & Security

    5 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership Even entry-level models have nine airbags - including a driver’s knee airbag - plus stability control, hill-start assist, downhill assist (on automatic models), ISOFIX child seat fixings, an alarm and deadlocks. The four-wheel drive models have good grip, and torque is automatically diverted to the rear wheels if the fronts lose traction.

  • Behind The Wheel

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin The Rav4 has the ‘Toyota Touch’ touch screen infotainment system as standard, but it’s fiddly to use because the on-screen icons are small and hard to hit. The new top-grade Touch and Go infotainment system includes sat-nav and a Google search facility, but it’s no easier to use, Still, the driver’s seat and steering wheel are multi-way adjustable, so you can find the right driving position.

  • Space & Practicality

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin The sliding rear seats allow for extra rear legroom – so long as you don’t have too much luggage. With the seats forward, there’s a big boot, and the seats fold nearly flat to create a generous loadbay. There are two under-floor compartments for odds and ends, too. The side-hinged rear door is heavy, though, and requires a wide space to open.

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin All RAV4s come with alloy wheels, Bluetooth, electric/heated door mirrors, dual-zone climate control, a six-CD player as well as automatic lights and wipers. AWD models also have leather and Alcantara upholstery. To this you can add a variety of options, including the Style Pack and the Navigation pack, the second of which is standard on the SR-trimmed model, along with smarter, sportier looks.

RAV4 rivals

RAV4 used car reviews