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Transmission and drive
Toyota offers the RAV4 with three different transmission variants. However, the combination options are very limited. The manual six-speed gearbox ensures good performance at attractive fuel consumption and is offered with all three engines. The classic six-speed torque converter automatic offers Toyota only in conjunction with the 150 PS Diesel and only together with the four-wheel drive. The third alternative, a rather untypical for the German market stepless automatic, you can combine only with the 150 PS petrol engine and here only together with the four-wheel drive.
The small diesel engine is also available only as a front-wheel drive variant and the petrol engine only as a four-wheel drive model. So, Toyota is narrowing down the choices in this segment and you have to think hard about how to use the RAV4. The stepless automatic is certainly the most comfortable version, but also without any sporting ambitions. If you choose the small and efficient diesel engine, you must forego the logical four-wheel drive for this vehicle class. Remains the question of the annual mileage. Little drivers put on the petrol engine, frequent drivers on the diesel.
My clear recommendation for this segment: a powerful diesel should be under the hood and the vehicle must have all-wheel drive. Nothing more embarrassing than when you get stuck with an “SUV” on a damp autumn meadow, or have to surrender to a snow-covered slope in winter.
The choice is therefore: Toyota RAV4 2.2D-4D, manual six-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive.
Safety
With five stars in the euro NCAP belongs to the RAV4 the safest vehicles in its class. Especially good values were the protection of the occupants from a side impact and the overall good safety level for the passengers.
Seven airbags protect the occupants from the consequences of an accident. Including a knee airbag for the driver. In terms of active safety, unfortunately only the “Executive version” can be equipped with a high beam assistant and a lane change warning system at an additional cost. A blind spot warning device is available for the Life and START Edition equipment at an additional cost.
The passive safety can convince in all RAV4 versions, but who wants the full assistance Armada, which forces Toyota to the highest trim level. A decision that drives the base price for the chosen model, the 2.2D-4D (manual 6 gearbox) from 31.850 € to 35.850 €.
Room amenities
The Rav4 is available in four equipment lines. The basic variant simply goes by the name RAV4. This is followed by the “Life” equipment, the START Edition and the best version, the RAV4 Executive.
The basics such as seven airbags, ABS, VSC + (ESP) and an audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and steering wheel remote control are always on board. All versions also have the LED daytime running lights in common at the front. The Life version has 17-inch aluminum wheels instead of steel rims, automatic air conditioning instead of manual air conditioning, cruise control, rain sensor and an audio system with a 6.1 "touchscreen.
18 alloy wheels are used in the start edition, the tailgate opens electrically and the side windows are tinted.
Xenon headlights are only available in the Executive version. In addition, in the executive version you sit on leather seats and enjoy the parking sensors at the rear when parking. The key also remains in the pocket, the vehicle then has a smart key system. Here, too, the restrictions in the combination with engine and transmission variants are important. The basic version is not available with the 150 hp diesel and not with the continuously variable transmission.
Light sight
It sits high and comfortably in the RAV4. But Toyota only supplies the useful xenon light if you have ticked the “Executive” equipment line beforehand. In addition, cornering lights and adaptive lighting systems (rain, city, motorway lights) are not available. All that remains is the very good overview of the vehicle, the generous windows and the question, why not go for the Executive version right away?
performance
Even the small 124 PS diesel engine has an easy time with the only 1.490 kilogram compact SUV. The 2.0l diesel engine pulls the RAV4 in 10,5 seconds on Tempo 100 and can only brake at 180 km / h top speed. Even the bigger versions can not do that much better. Only he 2.2 Diesel with manual transmission and four-wheel drive is a little more jagged. Here in 9,6 seconds 100 km / h.
The basic diesel can also be moved lazily over land. Thanks to its 310 Nm, it rarely takes a grip on the shift stick. In addition, the RAV4 is especially in the version with all-wheel drive and the Integrated Vehicle Dynamics System (IDDS) a handy and fleet-footed highway dancer. Since the current generation remains true to the core of the original Rav4.
Only the year-round tires with Yokohama geolanders can not convince again. As already in the Test with the SUBARU Outback, the all-season tire shows both weaknesses in comfort (running noise) and handling. Here's the tip: negotiate a set of summer tires and a set of winter tires with your Toyota dealer. From this, the overall driving behavior of the RAV4 gains even more.
[one_third last=”no”]V / max
190
in km/h 2.2 D-4D Diesel
[/one_third] [one_third last=”no”]Trailer load max
2.0
Tons / 2.2 D4-D manual
[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]acceleration
9.6
Sec on 100 km / h / 2.2 D-4D
[/ one_third]
Warranty & Service
The automobile giant Toyota gives a three-year guarantee on its vehicles and limits this to 100.000 kilometers. Unfortunately, Toyota is not protecting RAV4 buyers from misfueling. Protection like this is available from other manufacturers is unfortunately not provided in the RAV4. Anyone who wants to do the quick oil check will be disappointed about the lack of a hood lift. And if you want to change a defective light bulb in the main headlight on your own, you will give up in exasperation because this is not so easy to do.
In terms of repair vulnerability and loss of value, however, Toyota is generally to be found among the model students.
Conclusion & recommendation
Anyone who has shortlisted the Toyota RAV4 only has to decide which engine variant to choose. The decision here is clearly based on the annual mileage. Few drivers use the petrol engine, frequent drivers use the diesel. But to the big diesel. Not because the 124 hp diesel would be a bad engine or offer too little power - simply because the small diesel is not available as an all-wheel drive variant.
So the buy recommendation:
[one_third last=”no”]Building savers
Cost-conscious grab the small diesel and are aware that they drive in the winter behind the scattering vehicle and not before. As a RAV4 Life, they enjoy the clever purchase, the economical engine, and the sensible basic equipment that can be expanded as desired.
[/one_third] [one_third last=”no”]housewives
And Wenigfahrer who are mainly in the city on the road, order the 2.0 gasoline engine with the continuously variable automatic. It makes sense to use the START Edition because it is particularly attractive with its electric tailgate, the stylish 18 inch rims and the features of the Life model.
[/one_third] [one_third last=”yes”]SUV fans
Real SUV fans don't hesitate long. The large diesel and the executive equipment with brilliant xenon light land on the order list. If you can do without the “switch” with this choice, you end up with the Executive 2.2D-4D 4 × 4 at € 37.550 and are happy about a modern SUV.
[/ one_third]