Model tested: Toyota RAV4 T180 2.2 D4D
Price: £27,015
Tested: November 2006
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

Overall rating: 87%
The RAV4 started the 4WD 'soft-roader' phenomenon, but is the third generation edition resting on its laurels or leading the pack?

1. Looks
The latest RAV4 is only available with five doors and is one good-looking car. The T180 has a smart set of 18-inch alloys and run-flat tyres – so you can dispense with the wheel on the rear door.
9/10

2. Looks inside
The good looks continue inside with nice touches everywhere. Toyota has worked to raise the interior quality and has succeeded in creating a nice place to sit as well as a nice car to look at.
8/10

3. Practicality
Seats in place, there's 586 litres of space to stow your stuff; flatten the seats and this jumps to 1,469 litres. There are also twin gloveboxes, and cubby holes galore.
8/10

4. Ride and Handling
The driving position is excellent and there's a healthy fun-factor to driving the RAV. You'd expect the ride to be comfortable and it is. You couldn't ask for much more dynamically.
10/10

5. Performance
Our range-topping 175bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine allows the RAV4 to do 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds; a 134bhp edition does 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds. The top speed is 124mph for the T180.
8/10

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6. Running Costs
The T180 averages 40.4mpg. Servicing is required annually or every 10,000 miles and the annual tax bill is £160.
8/10

7. Reliability
Toyota has a well-deserved reputation for producing reliable cars and the RAV is no exception – scoring incredibly well on our reliability index. Historically the axle and suspension throw up most problems.
10/10

8. Safety
The RAV4 has a four-star EuroNCAP rating, with nine airbags as standard along with ESP.
8/10

9. Equipment
All RAV4s have 17-inch alloys, CD player and electric heated door mirrors. Posher versions have a six-disc CD changer, hill hold, leather upholstery, cruise control, heated front seats, automatic lights and windscreen wipers as well as sat-nav.
9/10

10. X-Factor
Many of us want cars which are fun to drive but which cruise comfortably when we just want to get from A to B. The RAV4 fulfils both those requirements and is a good looking car too. No laurel-resting going on here then. A great car.
9/10