Toyota RAV-4

Some cars have natural theme tunes. The Toyota Prius always sparks a mental rendition of ‘She’s Electric’ by Oasis while the Lamborghini Gallardo tinkles “Fit and You Know It” by the Streets in the old cortex. If I was to attribute a record title to the latest Toyota RAV4 it would probably be “You’ve come a long way, baby” by Fatboy Slim. Okay, it’s an album not a tune but it pretty much sums up the RAV4. From rather humble beginnings, Toyota’s compact 4x4 has grown into a very accomplished proposition.

With each successive iteration the RAV4 has got bigger and better equipped. The third generation model represents the most radical change yet. Cute and chunky has been replaced with bold and aggressive. The frontal styling is still recognisably RAV4 but move aft and the new vehicle is a whole lot more angular and a good deal more spacious. There isn’t a three-door version, Toyota reasoning that a smaller leisure-oriented models weren’t making the numbers in the UK market. Break-out the tape measure and you’ll find the latest RAV4 is a whopping 145mm longer and a hefty 80mm wider. Couple that with smarter packaging and you end up with a car that’s way bigger on the inside, offering some 25 per cent more luggage space. If you’re worried that this will make it a nightmare to park, be reassured by the fact that it’s still shorter than something like a Honda CR-V or a Land Rover Freelander.

The cabin is smartly-styled with an unusually curvaceous fascia that’s quite unlike any other production car in its execution. While the main instruments are quite conventional, the centre console features a twin tiered design with metallic inserts and a circular theme for the minor controls. Higher quality plastics are used than is the compact 4x4 norm and a start button is included.

Prices start at £19,095 and as far as the oily bits go, you’ll have a choice of three powerplants. Likely to prove most popular is the 134bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel, an engine that’s not shy of muscle and yet which will average a creditable 42.2mpg. Business users will prick up their ears at the prospect of 177g/km emissions, which mean that they’re not about to get a wallop in the wallet when it comes to benefit in kind taxation. Naturally, it’s also Euro IV compliant. If your pockets are a little deeper or your right boot a little heavier, there’s also a 175bhp version of that engine which will still eke 39.2 miles from a single gallon of diesel. If you’re still not sold on the benefits of the black pump, Toyota also offer a 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine that may struggle when the car’s fully-loaded but features an average 32.1mpg fuel economy figure.

Toyota look to have hit the nail squarely on the head with the latest RAV4. Bigger, smarter but still resolutely pragmatic, it’s a tempting proposition. We’ll have to wait for a proper road test to get to grips with its driving manners but the revised suspension and sharper steering points in the right direction. A hybrid option would have been welcome but otherwise the RAV4 looks to have covered a good few bases.