112 wheelsmag.com.au
SCORE
7
TH
/
6.0 10
OLD GUARD DELIVERS COMPETENCE, RATHER THAN BRILLIANCE
Toyota RAV4 GXL
TOYOTA may have produced some unexpected gems
of late – namely the funky C-HR, and even the new
Prius if you appreciate nimble handling – but its SUV
mainstay, the RAV4, remains steadfastly linked to the
former regime. Bound by a platform dating back over
a decade, it represents the old guard of medium SUVs.
Yet there’s still plenty to like here. Relying on a
seemingly insipid 107kW 2.0-litre four that drives
the front wheels through a CVT transmission, the
1510kg RAV4 GXL is about as performance-primed
as a chamomile tea. But, lazy step-off aside, you tend
to forgive the RAV4’s anaemic on-paper acceleration
because its engine tries super-hard to please.
Toyota’s 2.0-litre sounds sweeter than Mitsubishi’s,
with a nifty manual mode that will keenly extend it to
6700rpm, and convincingly mimic a torque-converter
auto’s engine braking when downshifting.
Left to its own devices, however, Toyota’s CVT
inserts faux ratio steps, ‘shifting’ up at under six
grand and killing the accelerative buzz a little. It also
takes a tedious amount of time to build revs in Drive,
meaning you’re better off leaving it in Sport mode
(via a pushbutton buried deep in the dash centre) and
taking advantage of the RAV4 2.0’s fuel efficiency.
Drive the RAV4 hard and it rewards with surprising
chassis poise. It steers crisply and precisely (via an
arguably too-chubby wheel with inadequate reach
adjustment), it turns in with enthusiasm, and you can
feel its rear suspension ably assisting the front end to
promote its handling balance. Compared to the Haval,
the Toyota is paradise, but its ride is louder and more
pattery than its Korean rivals.
Despite a facelift in 2015 and several more updates
last September (see sidebar), nothing can save the
current RAV4’s ride quality, certainly not the GXL’s
18-inch wheels. It never settles, with abrupt reactionsto bumps and a jostling demeanour that leaves
passengers shaken, not stirred. The RAV4 has clearly
been tuned for handling, but unlike models on Toyota’s
new-gen platform, it doesn’t ride at the same time.
Our test GXL came with a $2500 Safety pack
(bringing collision warning, AEB, active cruise, auto
high-beam, auto wipers, lane-departure warning
with steering assist, front parking sensors, blind-spot
monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert), which unlocks
the option of a questionable dual-tone paint option
($1000) which includes black headlining.
Unfortunately, that last detail makes the RAV4’s
ageing cabin feel oppressively dark. And while the
GXL’s cloth front buckets are almost armchair-like for
comfort, facing an expansive windscreen that offers a
superb view, a too-high brake pedal skews the driving
position. The front passenger, meanwhile, misses out
on seat-height adjustment and has to contend with a
needlessly protruding lip on the dashboard that proves
a perpetual pain for anyone that’s seriously tall.
The Toyota’s rake-adjustable rear seat lacks the
armchair feel of up front, despite quite a long cushion,
because it’s mounted too close to the floor. Cranking
the driver’s seat low unleashes an unimpeded view
forward from behind, but rear toe room is marginal.
The RAV4’s strong air-con makes up for its lack of
rear air vents, however, and you get four huge door
grab handles. Pity the flimsy luggage cover guarding
its vast 577-litre boot (when there’s no full-size spare)
fails to dampen the continual drone from its tyres.
All of which leaves the Toyota down but not
completely out. If you’re an undemanding driver, you
could easily put up with the 2.0-litre’s performance,
and providing you can tolerate its ride, there’s much
to commend the RAV4 GXL’s driveability. But glory
in 2017 requires more than just competence. NP$38,890*
Engine
1987cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v
Power
107kW @ 6200rpm
Torque
187Nm @ 3600rpm
Transmission
CVT automatic
Dimensions
(L/W/H/W-B)
4605/1845/1715/2720mm
Weight
1510kg
Cargo capacity
577 litres
Tyres
Dunlop Grandtrek ST30
235/55R18 100H
Fuel consumption
10.4L /100km (tested)
0-60km/h
5.4sec
0-100km/h
11.5sec
0-400m
18.2sec @ 126.5km/h
30-70km/h
4.3sec
80-120km/h
8.0sec
100km /h-0
41.1m
3yr resale
54%
✔ Armchair front seats;
handling; economy
✘^ Unsettled ride; ageing
cabin
* Includes safety pack ($2500),
dual-tone paint ($1000)SPECS