It’s hip to be square
Earlier this year Toyota released an all-new Rav4 – in fact
there are four models in the revised range with prices starting from
R279 900 (2.0 GX) rising to R399 900 for the flagship 2.5 VX AWD A/T
derivative.
Nestling inbetween is quite possibly what is going to be the
volume seller is the 2.2 GX AWD, with its lusty turbodiesel powerplant, one that
develops 110kW at 3 600 rpm, and 340 Nm of torque from a rev baseline of
just 2 000 rpm.
First impressions are everything, they say, and for me,
within a few short kilometres it was quite obvious the build quality and NVH
(noise, vibration and harshness) levels are quite superb. Yes, there is a
little diesel “clatter” at tick over – but this soon fades away as the revs
rise.
Speaking of which, this particular Rav4 also boasts lively
performance figures if need be: the 0-100 km/h traffic light grand prix
can be completed in 10 seconds – not too shabby for a genuine (non-poseur), all-wheel drive, SUV.
This, the fourth generation Rav4 thus far, represents
something of an entirely new approach from this bespoke Japanese car
manufacturer. It’s stylish and for me justifiably stands a little aloof among
its peers in the South African SUV marketplace.
Today, one doesn’t buy a vehicle without being very aware of
its fuel consumption figures – here, the 2.2-litre GX shines through strongly,
with offerings around 5.6 litres per 100 km/h – OK, these are ‘perfect-world’
figures bandies around from the factory – but in real life won’t be that wide
of the mark … especially in six-speed manual guise and a gentle right foot.
Toyota’s tried and tested philosophy of ensuring everything
works well in a vehicle once again rings true and is pretty much ‘bombproof’ in
the 2013 Rav4 range – isn’t that something we’ve come to expect from this
manufacturer for a number of years now?
To sum up, the Rav4 as tested over a recent weekend proved
to be something a ‘breath of fresh air’ by offering brilliant cargo-carrying
abilities, ultra-comfortable seating for all passengers, along with great
legroom for those seated in the rear – along with other great levels of
creature comforts to be found wherever you care to look.
