Toyota RAV4 review

With its standard hybrid powertrain option, the old RAV4 started at just under £40k in the UK when it became the best-selling car in the world.

But with the plug-in hybrid only approach, the entry price is now £43,845 for the Icon trim. That is slightly less than you’d have paid for the former entry-level PHEV though, and this new RAV4 is better equipped.

As standard you get pretty much all of Toyota’s active safety systems, as well as dual zone air conditioning, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a powered tailgate. You also get 18in wheels (the best for fuel economy) on Icon models, and you won’t have to pay extra for metallic paint options. Mmm, shiny.

Make the step up to Design trim and you’ll unlock 20in black alloy wheels, two-tone paint and the synthetic leather seats. You also get a wireless phone charger inside and ventilation for the front seats. Toyota reckons this’ll be the big seller in the UK with around 40 per cent of customers buying that one. It costs £46,095.

The next rung up the ladder is Excel trim, and it’s here where you can divert into the AWD powertrain should you so desire. You also get 20in machined alloy wheels, a JBL premium audio system (although the standard setup is still pretty good), a head-up display and leather seats that are heated in the back as well as up front.

The front-wheel drive Excel costs £50,045, while all-wheel drive is £52,390.

That means a slightly cheaper way into the AWD car is to go for the £52,045 GR Sport. Naturally this one's festooned with GR Sport badges, dual exhaust pipes, the sportier suspension (groan), a three-spoke steering wheel, gunmetal door handles and yet more GR Sport badging inside.

By your tone I'm guessing that's not the one to have?

Bingo. Design is the best value – with no extras that one's £635 ish per month over three years direct through Toyota, assuming you pay 10 per cent of the car's value up front and allow for 10,000 miles annually. You can play around with those figures on Toyota's online finance calculator, or dig out entirely different figures through a third party. As all thrifty shoppers will.