I bought this car as my first major step up from the bangers that I used to drive. My last car was a Daihatsu Sportrak, a brilliant little petrol 4x4, built like a tank, especially good in summer with the removable hard tops although not really suited to long motorway driving. It was this car that prompted me to look for another 4x4 when it finally died.
I was looking for a similar sized 4x4 that was more comfortable on long journeys, it had to be diesel to improve on fuel costs compared to my previous car.
After much searching, and looking at various different models such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda HRV, Honda CRV, Landrover Freelander, and Daihatsu Terios, I came across the short wheel base (SWB) version of the Toyota Rav4 (there has since been a new model in which the short wheelbase version is no longer being made and the range has been given an all round facelift). The first thing that stood out is that it looks a lot more stylish than the other 4x4's in the same class, especially the diesel engined version, which I opted for, with the bonnet scoop for the turbo intercooler.
It turns out that the diesel engine that comes in this model (2.0 D-4D) is really quite efficient, I'm currently returning 41.7 mpg on average which is mostly town driving. Another good point about this engine is it's low CO2 output (190g/km) which is 1 in the eye for all those 4x4 haters out there as it has lower emmissions than most cars, be aware though that the increasing vehicle excise duty rates means taxing the vehicle can be quite expensive but you will reclaim this money with the savings on fuel.
The model I purchased was the 2 door NRG which came with the optional leather seats and 6 disc changer which is located under the passenger seat. The leather seats are extremely comfortable on long journeys, the ride feels sturdy yet does not break your back when encountering pot holes.
For a 4x4 the RAV corners exceptionally well with little or no roll. The RAV was rumoured to be the '4x4 GTi' and I can confirm those rumours, it pulls very strongly through each gear and will easily top 100mph. The RAV comes as a full time 4 wheel drive apart form the NV model which is 2 wheel drive. Personally I think this model is pointless, who in their right mind is going to buy a 2 wheel drive 4x4?
The RAV is billed as a softroader which means it has car like driving characteristics but has the ability to cope with the occasional off roading should you need it. The idea of softroaders came about because car companies realised that people buy big 4x4s because they think they are safer, they also realised that very few of those people actually used their 4x4s off road, so softroaders retained the high driving position and size of 'proper' 4x4s while simplifying the 4x4 running gear and softening the suspension to make them more suited to driving on the road. While it does not come with the low transfer box which comes with the larger 4x4's, it will handle most of the off road scenarios that you're likely to come across. The 4x4 factor really comes into it's own under extreme weather conditions, meaning it will handle better and therefore be safer, that coupled with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) means that you feel more confident driving this car in bad weather than any standard 2 wheel drive car.
One unique feature about this D-4D engine is the variable nozzle turbocharger, this allows the turbo to adjust how much air is allowed to enter the turbo and thus produces an extra 5bhp over the old D-4D engine and delivers a constant torque of 250Nm between 1800rpm and 3000rpm.
Maximum power of 114bhp (85kW) occurs at 4000rpm. Not to mention it creates a satisfying turbo whine once you reach the turbo band!
Something you do not get with the 2dr RAV4 is a boot. With the rear seats pushed all the way back (the 2 independent rear seats adjust forward and back and also incline) there is pretty much no usable boot space whatsoever. This renders the SWB 2 door version of the RAV 4 unsuitable to families of more than 2 unless you're going to use the RAV as a second family car. For me it's ideal as I rarely have more than 2 people in the car at any 1 time. If I do need any boot space for anything significant it's not a problem because the rear 2 seats fold forward and lock into place, and if necessary can be completely removed with the simple push of a lever.
With Toyota being a Japanese car firm you also get the benefit of excellent build quality and exceptional reliability. This will save you money in the long run and will outweigh the premium that you will pay for a car of this make. Toyota recommends that major services should be performed on the RAV 4 every 20,000 miles which also means that you should see less of the dealer or local garage which is always a good sign.
Key Features
Available in three and five-door bodystyles
Full time four-wheel drive (two-wheel drive NV version not available with D-4D engine)
Latest technology, common rail, 2.0-litre D-4D diesel
Exceptional fuel economy, low noise, low emissions
Available in four trim levelsl (NV, NRG, GX and VX)
Excellent combined fuel consumption of 39.8 mpg
0-62mph in 12.1 seconds, maximum speed of 106mph
WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) front seats, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and twin front airbags standard on all grades
MPV-style versatility with rear seats designed to slide, fold, tumble and be removed
Air conditioning standard on all grades
Remote alarm and Thatcham Category One immobiliser fitted as standard
Roof rails standard on all grades
Offered with three-year/ 60,000 mile warranty as standard
On sale in the UK from 1 September 2001
D-4D engine is a £1000 premium over petrol versions
Specifications
ENGINE (2.0L D-4D)
1CD-FTV
Valve Mechanism Variable valve timing, 16 valve, DOHC, Chain Drive
Bore x Stroke (mm) 82.2 x 94.0
Displacement (cc) 1995
Compression ratio 18.6:1
Max. Power bhp/rpm (kW) 114 @ 4,000 (85)
Max. Torque (Nm/rpm) 250 @ 1,800-3,000
PERFORMANCE
0-62mph 12.1 secs
Max speed 106mph
FUEL ECONOMY AND EMISSIONS
Urban mpg 31.7
Extra-Urban mpg 46.3
Combined mpg 39.8
CO2 g/km 190
WEIGHTS 3 DOOR 5 DOOR
Kerb weight (kg) 1315-1425 1370-1485
Gross vehicle weight (kg) 1785 1925
Towing capacity-u/braked (kg) 640 640
Towing capacity-braked (kg) 1500 1500
GEARBOX RATIOS
1st 3.833
2nd 2.045
3rd 1.333
4th 0.972
5th 0.731
Reverse 3.583
DIMENSIONS (exterior) 3 DOOR 5 DOOR
Overall length 3850 - NV3865 - NRG 4200 - NV4250 - GX4260 - VX
Overall width (mm) 17351785 (wide pack) 17351785 (wide pack)
Overall height - 4WD (mm) 1695 (215 tyre)1700 (235 tyre) 1705 (215 tyre)1710 (235 tyre)
Wheelbase (mm) 2280 2490
Min. turning radius (m) 5.0 5.3
Tread width - 4WD (mm) front 1505 (215 tyre)1525 (235 tyre)
Tread width - 4WD (mm) rear 1495 (215 tyre)1520 (235 tyre)
Fuel Tank capacity (L / gal) 57 / 12.5
Coefficient of Drag 0.35
LUGGAGE CAPACITY (L) 3 DOOR 5 DOOR
Rear seats in position 150 410
Rear seats folded 230 520
Rear seats removed 690 970
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson Struts with L-shaped arms
Rear Double Wishbone with trailing arms
BRAKES
Front (diameter) Ventilated disc (302mm)
Rear (diameter) Solid disc (298mm)
STEERING
Type Rack and Pinion
Ratio 16
Turns lock to lock 2.9
TYRES AND WHEELS
Wheel size 16" Aluminium / Steel
Tyre size (NV & GX)(NRG & VX) 215/70 R 16235/60 R 16
Conclusion
Good Points Excellent build quality, reliable, stylish, infrequent service intervals, drives well, comfortable, fuel efficient, and eco-friendly.
Bad Points Expensive to tax, lack of boot space on the 2dr model.
johnsreviews rating: 8/10
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