The compact SUV category is the most popular in Quebec, with 78,541 vehicles sold last year. In this category, the Toyota RAV4 is definitely the most popular with 16,276 vehicles sold in La Belle Province, or a little more than 20% market share. To give you an idea, it is sold twice as much as its closest sales rival, the Honda CR-V.
Needless to say, this is Toyota’s bread and butter in Canada. But, since the introduction of the fifth generation of the model, in 2019, more than 5 years have passed and several competitors have been renewed. So, despite rational qualities that are omnipresent, the Toyota RAV4 is starting to show signs of age compared to the competition.
A style that pleases
While the previous generation lacked harmony in terms of appearance, the current one is still successful in terms of style. Even if the features scattered all over the bodywork were not unanimous at first, it is clear that they have established themselves and that they make the RAV4 instantly recognizable. Its approach, closer to that of a truck than what we find from Honda or Mazda, certainly contributes to its success, particularly in the case of the Trail version tested.
Moreover, this one highlights superior crossing capacities and is recognizable with its exclusive 19-inch wheels, its unique grille and its more massive roof rails. The example tested was khaki green with a black roof, a $540 option, which suits it very well. The sad thing is that if you don’t like green, you only have three other colors to choose from for this version: black, white or red.
This Trail version is placed in the middle of the range with its price of $44,000, including the paint option and dealer fees of $899. The least expensive RAV4 is an LE version with all-wheel drive, selling for $36,101, while the most expensive RAV4 Prime XSE Techno comes in at $64,311, almost double that.
A functional interior… at the front
The front portion of the Toyota RAV4’s cabin is designed, first and foremost, for user-friendliness. The instrumentation, made up of two analog dials with a 7-inch screen in the center, remains easy to read if not flamboyant. The centrally placed 8-inch touch screen contains Toyota’s new digital interface, which has been on the market for a little over a year. This allows for much better graphic quality than the previous one, which lagged far behind the competition. Even if the new one is more user-friendly, it does not reinvent the genre and only comes up to speed with the competition, without surpassing it. At least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are wireless and standard with this model. Again here, there is nothing exciting. The manufacturer focuses instead on function.
A little further down are the air conditioning and heating controls, well placed, as well as a smartphone charging mat. The rest of the controls are easy to handle because the ergonomics are ideal. Everything is within reach.
In terms of quality of finish and choice of materials, it is adequate. The plastics are well arranged together and we know that everything is solid. This Trail version uses orange accents everywhere, the color of which is rather odd in comparison to the green of the bodywork. The seats, covered in SofTex, offer good support and general comfort, in addition to offering an ideal driving position.
When moving to the rear, you first have to deal with a rather small door opening. Not because the hole in the bodywork is small, but because the door opening angle is not large enough, unlike what the competing Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 offer. Once in place, the seat is comfortable, although a little low, but the clearances are very adequate for passengers, both children and adults.
In terms of loading space, the version tested is equipped with a motorized tailgate, which provides access to 1059 liters with the bench raised. If you fold the seat back, you have 1977 liters, a figure that is in the upper average.
Mechanically conservative
We must expect that the next generation of the Toyota RAV4 will focus even more on the hybrid engine, as the Camry and Sienna do, undoubtedly redesigned to avoid the problems it has experienced in recent years. For the moment, buyers still have access to classic mechanics, particularly in the Trail version tested.
So under the hood we have a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine whose power is estimated at 203 horsepower and torque at 184 pound-feet. From the first turns of the wheel, you feel very present due to its well-measured power and well exploited by the 8-speed automatic transmission, but also by the lack of soundproofing of the cabin. It is very audible, mainly when accelerating. In addition, some vibrations are transmitted to the body on occasion, a sign that the mechanics lack refinement, especially compared to new vehicles like the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester.
As for fuel consumption, even if the mechanics do not use the same stratagems as certain competitors – low displacement, turbocharging, continuously variable transmission – consumption remains reasonable. I got 8.5 litres/100 km, which is quite acceptable.
A firm ride
The Trail version is the only one capable of towing 1,588 kilos (3,500 pounds) in the entire RAV4 range, a capacity that I did not have the opportunity to test since the loaned vehicle was not equipped with a trailer hitch. . Additionally, it is equipped with 19-inch wheels. Consequently, the vehicle’s ride is firm, mainly on potholed roads, as is the case in Quebec. In addition, the rather over-assisted steering does not engage the driver more than necessary, just like the soft pedal brakes, without any feeling of sportiness.
I had little hope for the torque vectoring all-wheel drive at the rear of the Trail version. After trying to take curves more quickly, by accelerating, I realized that the purpose of this system is certainly not close to that of Acura’s SH-AWD. Here, the focus is instead on improved efficiency in difficult conditions. In this sense, even if we can clearly see in the instrumentation that more power is sent to the wheel outside the corner, the effect on the asphalt is imperceptible.
Dry bread
This test confirms that you don’t buy a Toyota RAV4 for the pleasure of driving, or even for its flamboyance. As I expected, this is a vehicle that focuses on functionality and practicality, while also putting reliability, durability, low ownership costs and resale value at the forefront. . These characteristics also make it very popular with thieves, certainly a disadvantage.
The fact remains that behind these very strong rational qualities and the popularity that makes many drool, the RAV4 remains lacking in some improvements that will refine its appearance, its smooth ride and its refinement. In short, a little polishing that would allow it to maintain pace in the face of fierce competition.
While waiting for the new generation, which should arrive sooner rather than later, it is a vehicle that we continue to recommend, mainly in its gasoline version.
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