The Top Gear car review:Toyota RAV4

Name: Toyota RAV4
Item: RAV 4 Diesel Estate (2013)
Rating: 5
Author: Top Gear

n/a

Full screen

1/4

5/10

Overall verdict

Not a bad SUV, just a boring one. There are plenty more interesting contenders than this.

For:

Space, decent economy, reliability

Against:

Duller than the All-Norfolk Paint-Drying Championships

Overview

What is it?

The fourth generation of the soft roader that started the whole soft roader trend. Today, though, for an SUV that for so long traded on being – by Toyota’s standards, at least – a bit of an oddity, the RAV4 has matured into an SUV as straight-laced and middle of the road as they come.

But although it’s short on surprises, this latest one is big on space: the fourth-gen is bigger – 20cm longer, no less – than its predecessor. For the first time it’s available in front-wheel drive only flavour, though only if you opt for the entry-level 2.0-litre 122bhp diesel. There’s also a 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel but no petrol option.

Continue: Driving

Take one for a spin or order a brochure