For large and heavy SUVs, only a diesel can be considered as an engine? The Toyota RAV4 comes up with the opposite evidence. Mostly successful.
Hybrid instead of diesel: What was the Achilles heel of Toyota in Germany for a long time has now turned into an advantage in the face of the auto-ignition crisis. Even in the compact SUV RAV4, the alternative drive has long since arrived and cuts a fine figure - if you let yourself in for its peculiarities.
Even if the RAV4 shows more corners and edges in the current generation, it remains a classic crossover: inflated car rather than domesticated off-road vehicle. The target group is clearly the family. There is extra space in the back, the trunk is large and well-designed, the ambience cozy and comfortable. This also applies to the driver's workplace. If you like to rest your extremities on the cockpit furniture, you will find almost every surface softly padded. Switches and buttons appear stable and engage securely, exude a robust durability. It hardly matters that the well-made interior materials do not always radiate the highest quality and that the design of the center console and instruments is a bit too cluttered and overloaded, at least for the European taste.
Speaking of European taste: Especially in Germany, many like their SUVs as sporty as possible. The RAV4 is definitely the wrong choice for them - even if its drive power of up to 160 kW / 218 PS currently marks the top end of the Toyota range (at least until the Supra sports car comes onto the market in August). The full power is generated by a full hybrid drive consisting of an electric motor (two in the four-wheel drive variant) and an 2,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine. However, its primary task is not massive propulsion, but restraint at the petrol station. And it meets this requirement: the standard consumption of around 4,5 liters per 100 kilometers should only be met by careful drivers under ideal conditions, but a five before the decimal point or a small six in city traffic are possible without great ambition. A diesel can't do any better, which is why Toyota doesn't even offer it in the RAV4. However, the hybrid cannot keep up with the pulling of a diesel. Compared to previous systems, the unpleasant rubber band effect when accelerating is much more subtle. In addition to the good insulation and the high-torque electric drive, the relatively large and powerful petrol engine (130 kW / 177 PS) helps, which can go along with many speed increases without excessive efforts. Only when he is really challenged does he acknowledge it with an uncontrolled howl - so that from his own interest you refrain from doing so.
The rather relaxed drive does not prevent you from confident progress and brisk overtaking. The chassis is designed comfortably, but it does not appear to be non-binding or overwhelmed by higher speeds. The RAV4 is so full and solid on the track outside of town that neither steering corrections nor physical balance movements pull nerves or concentration over a long distance. In the typical European city, however, the Toyota reaches its limits, there it is simply too big and confusing. After all, the braking power recovery of the hybrid drive pays off particularly well there. Curvy, not too narrow country roads suit him better, but should not be relaxed because of the drive.
As convincing as the hybrid drive of the RAV4 is, it has to be bought at an expensive price. The inexpensive variant with front-wheel drive already costs at least 33.000 euros. That is around 7.000 euros more than was due for the diesel variant of the previous generation. Anyone who wants four-wheel drive because he sometimes hooks up a larger trailer must transfer at least 38.000 euros. Although the new one has more power and better equipment, many interested parties could still be deterred and prefer to look at the competition for a cheap diesel model. Above all because the only alternative at Toyota, a pure gasoline engine with 129 kW / 175 PS output, is thirsty and therefore not very attractive. If you are not afraid to invest, you will get a high-quality and spacious travel and family car with low consumption and a green conscience. It's difficult to invest your mobility budget these days.
The cockpit is well worked 
There is plenty of space for luggage
