Toyota RAV4

On the inside, the Toyota RAV4 does possess a modern aura with good quality materials and features used. However, the overall layout, even after being a nice design, does not match the rugged and extrovert appeal of the SUV.

Nevertheless, the Toyota RAV4 looks futuristic and up to date with a large coloured TFT MID screen in the instrument console and a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system at the centre of the dashboard, thus going by the recent trends of in-cabin designing. The multifunctional steering wheel looks and feels nice to hold, with a long V-shaped centre boss with silver inserts.

Apart from the infotainment system, the centre console looks minimalist with sleek trapezoidal AC vents just below the screen and a sleek panel for the climate control buttons. From here starts the wide transmission tunnel with satin silver edges.

With premium features onboard like a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and powered front seats, the Toyota RAV4 feels youthful and modern, and not old school like what SUVs we have seen from Toyota in the recent past. And with clever space management, the RAV4 has abundant space on board as well.

Toyota has to be praised for the way it has designed the RAV4, as the SUV looks bold and muscular with a go-anywhere visual ability, without losing on the urban contemporary SUV theme. 

The Toyota RAV4 has got a nice upright stance with a wide front fascia comprising of a trapezoidal grille with tapered lower edges and a very thin strip of air vent above it, which merges on the sides of angular and trapezoidal full LED headlamps on either side. The scooped in angular housings for the small fog lamps and heavy cladding with skid plates on the front bumper add to the muscular appeal of the SUV.

The side profile of the Toyota RAV4 looks a bit distinctive with trapezoidal wheel arches, chrome lining on the upper edge of the windows, and black strip on the C-pillar giving it a floating roof effect. These design cues do make the RAV4 look unique and standout from other conventionally styled Toyota SUVs. However, the alloy wheel design looks a bit plain.

At the rear, the Toyota RAV4 looks as bold as the front profile, which sports angular tail lamps and slightly more raked rear windscreen. The tough cladding and skid plates complete the macho look of the SUV.

The Toyota RAV4 is underpinned by a very capable suspension setup of Independent MacPherson struts front suspension with stabilizer bar and multi-link rear suspension with a stabilizer bar. Further assistance is given by a worthy optional four-wheel drivetrain and multiple drive modes depending on various terrains to meet on.

The Philippines-spec Toyota RAV4 comes with a smooth and refined 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine under its bonnet, which is married to an 8-speed automatic transmission and serves as the only powertrain option for this SUV in the Philippines market. The engine is good enough to produce a maximum power output of 205 PS and a peak torque output of 243 Nm.

The Toyota RAV4 gets a host of safety features to boast of, comprising the likes of the front, side, curtain and knee airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, vehicle stability control, traction control, parking sensors with rear camera and tire pressure monitoring system.

With a rugged yet contemporary design and reliable mechanicals under the skin, the Toyota RAV4 is one complete package, which does prove its mettle as one of the highest selling SUVs around the world.