Buyer’s guide to the Toyota RAV4

Toyota’s striking SUV is packed with features, but what else do you need to know about it?

Toyota’s practical and good-looking RAV4 has been a hit with buyers for many years, offering genuine robustness and family-friendly build quality with a healthy dose of go-anywhere capability thrown in. 

 

The latest version is by far the most striking to date, while an ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain remains a key part of the RAV4’s setup. If you’re thinking of buying one, then there are some things to know - let’s take a look at what they are. 

 

What engines are available?

Things are pretty simple when it comes to the RAV4’s choice of engines as there’s just one. It takes a 2.5-litre petrol engine and combines it with an electric motor. Driven through a CVT gearbox, the RAV4 can also be specified with either front- or four-wheel-drive via a second electric motor placed on the rear axle. 

 

Power comes out at 215bhp for front-wheel-drive versions or 219bhp for four-wheel-drive variants. It means that the latter is capable of delivering a 0-60mph sprint in just eight seconds. Of course, a by-product of this electrified powertrain is excellent efficiency. In fact, Toyota says that the RAV4 will emit just 102g/km CO2 in its cleanest form, while fuel economy sits at a respectable 50mpg. 

 

What trim levels are offered?

There are a variety of different specifications available with the RAV4, ensuring that it appeals to all manner of buyers. Let’s take a look through them.

 

Design - £32,645

 

Design trim kicks things off for the RAV4, bringing high-end features such as rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. You also get classy-looking 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, which do help to brighten up the exterior of the car. 

 

Inside, there’s an infotainment system which brings full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

 

Excel - £35,375

 

Move up to Excel trim and you’ll find those alloy wheels increased in size to 19 inches, while they also incorporate an eye-catching 10-spoke design. Those who aren’t fans of the cold will also enjoy the heated steering wheel which comes as standard on the Excel.

 

Rear cross traffic alert is also added at this point, bolstering the RAV4’s level of safety tech. 

 

Dynamic - £35,953

 

Dynamic cars are easy to pick out thanks to their gloss-black 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as the high-performance LED dual-beam projector headlights which help to provide an impressive amount of illumination.

 

A gloss black roof is also included at this level, helping the RAV4 to stand out from the crowd.

 

Black Edition - £36,170

 

At the top of the pile is Black Edition, which brings all manner of standard features. A JBL premium sound system is one of the key additions. 

 

Intelligent rear parking sensors are also added to Black Edition cars, while automatic braking brings the car to a halt should it detect an obstacle in the way.

What about personalisation?

 

There’s plenty of scope for personalisation with the RAV4. A variety of different ‘packs’ allow you to tailor the extras fitted to your car, with highlights including roof crossbars, chrome detailing for the rear lower boot trim and a dog guard divider for the boot. 

 

There are up to nine exterior colours to choose from too, though Black Edition cars - predictably - are only available in black

 

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