Toyota RAV4 2.5 VX AT AWD (2020) Review
The third generation of the Toyota RAV4 was hugely successful, despite its shortcomings. The fifth generation bears testament to Toyota’s renaissance, but it enters an arena that’s full of capable medium-sized SUVs baying for its blood. This review features the RAV4 2.5 VX AWD.
In 1995, a year after the birth of the new South Africa, the exceedingly cute RAV4 Mk I arrived locally, and paved the way for the urban SUV. A quarter of a century later, Mk V sets foot on local shores and it’s a different animal altogether. We drove the top-of-the-line RAV4 2.5 VX.
Styling
RAV4 Mk III was a dog. Even worse, it was a dachshund. Yes, these oddly proportioned dogs have many fans, rooting for the underdog (hehe), but one has to admit: They appear to be bred by committee.
Because of its tubular shape, sharp snout and modest ground clearance, the 2005-2012 RAV4 resembles a sausage dog. Finish and klaar. Its replacement was more successful, growing in size and capability, and reclaiming some of the market share lost by its predecessor. It also looked a bit nicer than the two generations which came before it.
The latest (fifth) generation, subject of this review, has an even nicer appearance. How dit it happen? Well, imagine that the old RAV somehow lands in a Tom & Jerry cartoon and runs into a wall at full speed. Suddenly it appears wider, with a shorter distance between nose and butt.
Now its dimensions are different, which is good, but it also has a bunch of new creases which appear a little over the top and reminiscent of the overly angular Lexus SUVs. But the proportions are good.
It also has a flat boxer’s nose (the dog or man), a square jaw and it generally appears masculine. It says “I mean business” and will look good next to the forthcoming Land Cruiser. Yes, its design is more expedition vehicle and less mom’s taxi.
The drive
On the surface, a car’s platform is a dull, featureless thing. Look at it and you’ll observe beams welded together at 90-degree angles, maybe with wheels, springs and dampers fixed to it. But engineers get excited by these things, so they’re actually important, and car makers make a big thing of the latest and greatest platform they’ve created to underpin their cars.
The new RAV4 essentially uses the same platform as the Toyota C-HR and 2019/2020 Corolla. This held great promise for the RAV4 and for its handling, road-holding and comfort.
Maybe the new RAV4 is a little too heavy (1 660 kg) for this platform or maybe the profile of the tyres were too low, but it doesn’t have the extraordinary plush ride of the C-HR. The latter is one of the best gravel travellers of recent history and irons out ruts, pebbles and corrugations with aplomb.
Apart from a little less comfort, the RAV4 handles gravel surfaces and light off-road driving well, and puts its predecessor’s crashy, wayward ride (on these surfaces) to shame.
The ground clearance of the RAV4 measures 200mm, which suggests the possibility of some bundu bashing, but the spare is a space saver, so do pack a compressor and plugs if you want to tackle the Tankwa.
The engine
After experiencing the brilliance of the 1.2-litre turbo engine in the C-HR and Corolla Hatch, it came as a surprise that Toyota only fitted normally aspirated (no turbo or supercharger) engines into the RAV4 range. This engine has a displacement of 2 487 cc, while the rest of the range gets the 1 987 cc engine.
The 2.5-litre, Euro-6, four-cylinder engine develops a maximum of 152 kW. It transfers its 243 Nm (max) to the wheels through an 8-speed torque-convertor auto-box, while the others have to make do with CVT transmissions. Want a manual? You’ll have to settle for the entry-level RAV4, which has a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The 2.5-litre has sufficient power and is lighter on fuel than the marriage of a large-capacity petrol engine to a torque-convertor transmission would suggest.
Space and comfort
The RAV4 has seating for five and presents its owner with a roomier cabin than before, going from adequate to spacious. The seats are partially covered in leather.
Thanks to the Marie biscuit wheel, the boot measures a massive 733 litres.
The 2.5 VX includes most of the luxuries one would expect from a mid-size, premium SUV. The list includes illuminated entry, keyless push-button start, a power seat for the driver, heated front seats, a wireless phone charger, exterior cameras for a panoramic view, a DVD player, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and USB ports.
Safety
The RAV4 2.5 VX is fully loaded with safety tech. The most important is adaptive cruise control, that also allows it to brake if a collision is imminent and the driver doesn’t react. It also allows the car to slow down and stop in rush-hour traffic, and start moving again when the vehicle in front of it moves off. The chosen distance between the car in front is adjusted with buttons on the steering wheel.
Other safety aids in the RAV’s armoury are electronic stability control, a pre-crash protection system, seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knees) a 3-point centre-rear seatbelt, Isofix for child seats, LED headlights with auto high beam, blind-spot monitoring, and fog lights front and rear.
Fuel consumption
Toyota claims average consumption of 7.3 l/100km for the 2.5 VX and we managed 8.6 l/100km, with a reasonably light throttle paw. A Tiguan 1.4 TFSI will most likely squeeze additional kilometres from the same tank of fuel. The RAV’s petrol tank holds just 55 litres.
Diesel fans should look at the alternatives below.
Price
It’s the top of the RAV4 pile and weighs in at R604 100. It has a service plan and warranty for 3 years or 100 000 km.
Verdict
Medium-sized family SUVs require ample space for passengers and luggage, as well as a small measure of off-road ability. Fair styling is of lesser importance, but there are some pretty smart-looking SUVs in this segment.
The RAV4 ticks all these boxes and boasts the billion-dollar Toyota symbol, so its destined to succeed, even in a big old mosh-pit of rivals.
Do consider the top-spec Toyota C-HR (R476 600) if you don’t have kids, and the accomplished Mazda CX-5 2.2DE AWD Akera (R621 600) if you want lower fuel consumption and more torque. If you need more interior space and occasional seating for seven, try out the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 auto, priced at R578 900, the Haval H9 2.0T 4WD Luxury (R609 900) and the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2D Premium (R630 500). The Santa Fe and Kia Sorrento each offer an enviable mix of miserly consumption, cavernous space and additional jump seats, which makes them truly sensible alternatives.
Expert rating
3.5/5