What Car? says
For Good on-road ride, decent specification and strong diesel engines make the Toyota RAV4 a great all-round SUV.
Against Side-hinged back door can hinder practicality, while petrol versions are noisy and expensive to run.
Verdict The RAV4 is no match for prestige models, such as the Land Rover Freelander, but it's a real 4x4 that's good to drive and reasonably practical.
Go for… 2.2 D-4D T140 XT-R
Avoid… 2.0 VVT-I XT-5
- 1. The RAV4 is refined, with little wind- or road noise intrudin. It's still a real off roader, though, with four-wheel drive, and a lockable centre differential.
- 2. Average fuel economy for the diesels is 42.8mpg for the lower-powered version, and 40.4mpg for the more potent unit - compared with the petrol's average of 32.8mpg.
- 3. The diesels are also cheaper for road tax thanks to CO2 emissions of 173g/km and 185g/k. The petrol engine pumps out 202g/km.
- 4. Servicing costs aren't particularly low, but franchised dealers are held in high regard by owners and traditionally do well in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey.
- 5. The run-flat tyres can slowly deflate over time despite no obvious puncture or fault. Replacing the tyre is often the only answer, and it's not cheap, either.
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Reader test team says:
Toyota RAV4 Crossover 2.2 D-4D T140 XT4 5dr
I owned this 56 reg Rav4 for two years and 80k…
5
out of 5 stars
Toyota RAV4 Crossover 2.2 D-4D T140 XT-R 5dr
I have owned this car for 8 months now and have…
3
out of 5 stars
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