Toyota RAV4 Australia Review
The Toyota RAV4 is Australia's best-selling SUV for a reason. It's a well-rounded vehicle that offers a comfortable ride, plenty of space, and a wide range of features. It's also available with a variety of powertrains, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
In this review, we'll take a closer look at the Toyota RAV4 and see what makes it such a popular choice for Australian buyers. We'll also compare it to some of its key rivals, such as the Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Subaru Forester.
Design and Styling
The Toyota RAV4 has a bold and muscular design that sets it apart from its rivals. It has a large front grille, sharp headlights, and a raised rear end. The RAV4 is also available in a variety of colors, including some eye-catching options such as Jungle Khaki and Lunar Crush.
Interior
The RAV4's interior is well-designed and spacious. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and there's plenty of room for passengers in the rear seats. The RAV4 also has a large cargo area, which makes it ideal for families and people who like to travel.
Features
The RAV4 comes standard with a variety of features, including:
- An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- A reversing camera
- A blind spot monitoring system
- A rear cross traffic alert system
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high beams
Higher-grade models also come with additional features such as a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and a premium sound system.
Performance
The RAV4 is available with a variety of powertrains, including:
- A 2.0L four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 127kW of power and 203Nm of torque
- A 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 163kW of power and 242Nm of torque
- A 2.5L four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine that produces 183kW of power and 227Nm of torque
The petrol engine is available with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines are only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The RAV4 is a front-wheel drive vehicle by default, but all-wheel drive is available as an option on all models.
Fuel Economy
The RAV4's fuel economy varies depending on the powertrain you choose. The petrol engine returns fuel economy of around 7.7L/100km, while the hybrid engine returns fuel economy of around 4.7L/100km. The plug-in hybrid engine has an electric range of around 75km, and it can also be plugged in to charge, which can further reduce your fuel costs.
Safety
The RAV4 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including:
- Seven airbags
- Anti-lock brakes
- Electronic stability control
- Traction control
- Hill start assist
Higher-grade models also come with additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection.
Pricing
The Toyota RAV4 starts at $32,490 for the GX model. The Cruiser model starts at $38,490, and the Edge model starts at $45,490. The hybrid models start at $35,490 for the GX model, and the plug-in hybrid models start at $54,490 for the GX model.
Verdict
The Toyota RAV4 is an excellent all-round SUV. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of space, and a wide range of features. It's also available with a variety of powertrains, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
The RAV4 is a bit more expensive than some of its rivals, but it's worth the extra money for the quality and reliability that it offers.
Comparison to Rivals
The Toyota RAV4's main rivals include the Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Subaru Forester.
The Mazda CX-5 is known for its sporty handling and stylish design. It's also one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in its class. However, the CX-5 has a smaller cargo area than the RAV4, and its rear seats are not as spacious.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a good value for money SUV. It offers a lot of space for passengers and cargo, and it comes standard with a variety of features. However, the Outlander's interior is not as well-designed as the RAV4's, and its fuel economy is not as good.
The Subaru Forester is another good value for money SUV. It offers a lot of space for passengers and cargo, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive. However, the Forester's interior is not as well-designed as the RAV4's, and its fuel economy is not as good.
Which SUV is Right for You?
The Toyota RAV4 is a great choice for buyers who are looking for an all-round SUV. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of space, a wide range of features, and a variety of powertrain options.
If you're looking for a sportier SUV, the Mazda CX-5 is a good option. If you're looking for a good value for money SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester are both good choices.
Derivatives
The Toyota RAV4 is available in a variety of derivatives, including:
- RAV4 Edge: The top-of-the-range RAV4 model comes with a variety of features, including a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and a premium sound system.
- RAV4 Cruiser: The Cruiser model is a good all-round RAV4 model. It comes with a variety of features, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a reversing camera, and a blind spot monitoring system.
- RAV4 GX: The GX model is the base-level RAV4 model. It comes with a variety of standard features, including a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a reversing camera, and a lane departure warning system.
- RAV4 Hybrid: The RAV4 Hybrid model is a good option for buyers who are looking for a fuel-efficient SUV. It comes with a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 163kW of power and 242Nm of torque.
- RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid: The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid model is a good option for buyers who are looking for an SUV that can be plugged in to charge. It comes with a 2.5L four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine that produces 183kW of power and 227Nm of torque.
Conclusion
The Toyota RAV4 is an excellent all-round SUV. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of space, a wide range of features, and a variety of powertrain options.
If you're looking for an SUV that ticks all the boxes, the Toyota RAV4 is a great choice.