Toyota RAV4 review

The noise that comes along with Toyota’s fancy hybrid system and CVT transmission has been a quibble since time immemorial, it’s sort of amazing that the company has kept going with it. Admittedly it has improved with the latest generation the company has developed: the RAV4 doesn’t hang on to revs for too long, although the car does amplify every twitch of your foot with boy-racer-at-the-lights blips of engine. 

Which is all to say that the RAV4 really rewards gentle driving, and you’ll keep off the throttle as much as possible as a result. Maybe it was Toyota’s plan all along. Likewise, it’s a strong incentive with the plug-in version of the car to keep the battery topped up as much as possible – the electric drive might be soothing, but it makes the combustion din all the more noticeable. The worry with a PHEV is that the e-motor is too weedy for everyday use, but there’s none of that with the RAV4. 

What about the handling?

The RAV4 is plenty smooth on the road – there’s a little roll in corners, but it takes bumps and smothers them so you don’t have to worry about kids flailing about in the back. The Toyota successfully treads the fine line between overly firm and insensible, boat-like floating.

There’s a largely pointless Sport mode on the car (you’ll be much happier in Eco mode) that firms up the steering and offers point and squirt shenanigans with the air of a dog having its funny five minutes before bed. It’s a bit of a hoot, flinging the car around on winding country roads, but too scary to maintain for long. As the engine gets shouty and the body goes wobbly you’ll find yourself dialling it back and longing for some smooth hybrid jazz to calm things down.

Best to drive it like a normal, family SUV then?

Exactly. The steering feels quite directly geared, which makes the handling feel responsive and disguises some of the RAV4’s bulk, but you’ll soon be reminded of its size with oncoming traffic or flourishing B-road verges blocking your path.