“Toyota’s latest third-
  generation RAV4 has
  moved upmarket
  in size, specification
  and cost. Now available
  only as a five-door
  SUV, it faces stiff
  competition from the
  likes of Honda
  and Nissan...”

NOT WISHING to speed the year forward too quickly, but once the September's new registration sales month arrives, winter will be looming over the horizon.

Get the holidays over and motorists start to think less about the fantastic summer we've had and more about winter motoring — and 4x4s start to look more appealing again.

Launched last February, Toyota's mid-sized RAV4 range — now in its third generation — is only available as a five-door model this time around. Previous ranges have had a three-door versions as well and these were much liked by young trendies, young mum's with small children and older generation couples or empty-nesters attracted by size and price. But now, the more expensive five-door models are their only choice. And these are also significantly larger than the RAV4
five-door models of past generations. No accident, either — but a clear sign of a definite move by Toyota to push the RAV4 upmarket in size, specification and cost.

The RAV4 still competes in the compact SUV/4x4 market, and although it has been the world's most successful vehicle of its type it now
faces strong competition from Honda's new CR-V and the highly rated Nissan X-Trail. There are also similar sized, but cheaper, alternatives from Hyundai, Kia, Suzuki and Daihatsu. If customers want to move further up-market then the new Land Rover Freelander, BMW X3 and the Jeep Cherokee — to name but three — also deserve consideration.

It's a tough competitive world in the new vehicle market, and none more so than in the continuously-growing 4x4 sectors.

The RAV4 is new throughout — new from the chassis up, with the drivetrain and engines either revised or new to this compact 4x4.

Three engines are on offer. First is the revised 2.0-litre VVT-I petrol unit that by all accounts is lively enough if pushed hard to perform,
but it does have the option of an automatic transmission. Then, also the new to the RAV4 range, is Toyota's latest 2.2-litre D-4D 140 and 180 direct-injection turbocharged diesel engines with six-speed manual transmissions.

Depending on the engine type chosen, there are four levels of specif-ication: XT3, XT4, XT5 and T180. The latter, as its title suggests, is only available with the most powerful diesel engine. Prices range from £19,040 up to £27,015.

What you'll want to know is what are the changes to new RAV4 over the old model? For a start, it is longer and wider = which significantly increases the interior passenger space for five adults with 47 per cent more luggage room. The vehicle has Toyota's Easy Flat folding rear seat system that allows the 60:40 split seats to be folded away very easily into the floor to create a large load area. For me, this is a major improvement.

The rear seats also slide to adjust legroom by up to 165mm. The large, wide side-hinged rear load area door is not the lightest or easiest to use. However, as the T180 model has run-flat tyres there is no spare wheel mounted on the outside of the rear door thus, on this variant at least, the door is a little lighter.

Toyota says the new RAV4 has a revised suspension for ride comfort and to reduce bodyroll during cornering — something experienced to some degree with most 4x4s. In the RAV4's case it seems to work.
The handling is pretty sharp and responsive for a 4x4. Run-flat tyres have stiffer sidewalls and can upset the ride comfort over poorer surfaces, but I much prefer that to having to change a wheel in the event of a puncture.

The four-wheel drive system has an Active Torque function that auto-matically delivers power to whichever wheel or axle has the most grip, either on- or off-road. Hill Start Assist is fitted to higher grade models and Downhill Assist Control (for off-roading) is fitted to models with the automatic transmission.

At every level of specification, the RAV4 is well equipped — all models have alloy wheels, air conditioning, four electric windows and a CD player. The layout around the driver is well designed, with all dials and switches easy to find and use. The driver's seat and the steering column are both fully adjustable and should suit people of all sizes.

The T180, my test model, had leather upholstery, heated front seats, satellite navigation, electric tilt-and-slide sunroof and privacy glass
all fitted as standard. But then at its relatively high price (just over £27,000) that's just what you would expect. And whatever RAV4 model you might choose, my advice would be to add rear parking sensors — they really do help and rearward visibility with 4x4s is never that good.

The volume-selling diesel model will be the D-4D 140 with the 134bhp, 2.2-litre engine. It's quite fast enough for high cruising speeds and offers a good 0-62mph acceleration time (10.5 seconds) along with economical fuel economy — in the region of 42.8mpg. With prices starting at £20,315, this is, in my view, by far the best buy in the range.

My test car was fitted with the range-topping all aluminium 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, direct-injection turbodiesel with 175bhp and 295lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm. This gives a 0-62mph acceleration time of 9.3 seconds and, according to Toyota's official figures, a fuel consumption of 40.4mpg. However, I could not get my test car anywhere near that, and after a week's typical driving — some motorways, some A- and
B-roads — 'my' RAV4 could only return 28.4mpg.

On the plus side, this unit is a strong and flexible performer. It is generally pretty quiet for a diesel although the less powerful 134bhp diesel unit would be my choice. It's cheaper to buy and run, and
only marginally slower.

Overall the new RAV4 will not disappoint. It will benefit from two Toyota trademarks: reliability and excellent build quality. Not such good news is the relatively expensive price, awkward side-hinged rear load door and, on my test car, the disappointing fuel economy.

Other good points include the RAV4's overall refinement, a high level
of standard safety features, good handling, a well equipped standard specification and a spacious interior. The load capacity ranges from 586 to 1,469 litres and with the seats folded there is a load length of 1,500mm. Should you need to, the RAV4 will tow 2,000kg (braked).

Some would-be owners will be put off by not having a three-door model to buy, but if you are in the market for a medium sized 4x4 then the new RAV4 is definitely one to be considered. — David Miles

Toyota RAV4 T180 5-door | £27,015 Maximum speed: 124mph | 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds Overall test MPG: 28.4mpg | Power: 175bhp | Torque: 295lb ft Visit Toyota's website