Toyota Rav4

The first thing, which one will notice after entering the vehicle is ‘more space’. The five-seater crossover SUV has ample headroom and legroom around all seats. The cabin is sleek with fewer customizations, giving it a neat finish. Though the car has less space compared to its outgoing predecessor, it still comes with 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space and 69.8 cubic feet of space when rear seats are folded.

On the feature list, it has a 7-inch touchscreen Entune infotainment system, Siri eyes free, Wifi hotspot, Bluetooth, Apple car play and six-speaker audio system but lacks Android Auto. Buyers can also choose between a moonroof and a panoramic roof alongside the availability of a number of features like an upgraded Entune system with an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, four additional USB ports, satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless device charging, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. The additional features are available exclusively in high-end variants.

First of all the Toyota RAV4 looks more rugged than its competitors. The front has a number of body cuts for the housing of different components. It has LED headlights and daytime running lights that offer a reasonable illumination. The metal grille is somehow large and houses the brand’s logo on the top of it. One can also find a unique extension of the roof over the C-pillar that looks like floating wings.

At the back, the LED taillights are merged with the rear windshield. As one can expect, there are two exhaust outlets on either side that hangs below the rear bumper.

The Toyota RAV4 runs well on every terrain and comes with improved handling than its previous generation models. It is also sharp on winding roads. The suspensions provide enough cushioning to eliminate irregularities of roads, thus resulting in a smooth ride. The ground clearance is also more than its previous generation model that helps it to rock off roads.

Drivers can choose between Sport, Eco and Normal to alter driving dynamics. Moreover, the AWD models allow choosing between Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Snow modes for different terrain experience.

The Toyota RAV4 comes in three variants- LE, Adventure, and XLE. The company has made all three options available with both gasoline and hybrid engine versions. The gasoline unit is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers a power output of 203 hp and around 250 Nm of maximum torque, the latter is enough to make the vehicle coast with decent acceleration. The mileage is a bit over 31mpg on city roads and around 42mpg on highways. Opinions may vary on the power output but there should not be any doubt about the fuel economy of this vehicle

On the other hand, the hybrid variant features a 2.5-litre inline-four running the Atkinson cycle that delivers a maximum power of 219 hp.

The Toyota RAV4 has the integration of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 that increases driver, attentiveness, and awareness alongside hosting a variety of additional technologies as well as revamping the existing features.

You should start marking your checklist with closed eyes, owing to the presence of additional safety features like an Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

The Toyota RAV4 is undoubtedly a powerful vehicle that offers smooth driving experience, swift acceleration and composed handling with an impressive fuel economy. Added to this is a number of safety features and flexibility to choose between different driving modes that make this crossover a real bang for the buck.