Toyota RAV4 A Green 4x4?
Even in this day and age we succumb to stereotypes and one of the biggest has to be the petrol-guzzling, space-hogging 4x4. You know, the kind of car thats a nuisance for other drivers, bad for the environment and unsuitable for on-road use.
This view may have stemmed from the Americans who, stereotypically, believe that bigger is better. The Chevrolet Trailblazer, which isnt available over here, is almost 5 metres long and 1.9m wide. It is powered by a monstrous 6.
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Really large 4x4s are available but they are a comparatively rare sight on our roads British buyers looking for 4x4s are more likely to end up with a compact version, like the Toyota RAV4. If, as the media tells us, general ill-feeling towards 4x4 models really does exist, it lies in the fact that they are supposed to take up much more room on the roads and in parking spaces, as well as yielding poor fuel economy returns and high CO² emissions. But is this really true? After all, some models, like the RAV4, not only fail to conform to the typical 4x4 stereotype but actually present a better environmental case than many normal saloons and hatches. For example, the Toyota is 4.4m long and 1.
8m wide, meaning that a Ford Mondeo saloon will take up more road space. And, in the case of the model were testing here, its powered by a 2.2-litre TD diesel engine which will average over 42mpg, giving you a better fuel economy than the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Golf.
This engine also emits 177g/km of CO², which happens to be less than many run-of-the-mill petrol-powered family cars like Vauxhalls 1.8-litre Astra.
Toyota breaks the stereotype, managing a very creditable 3-stars.
The best feature of the RAV4 has to be that it can fulfil the role of two cars in one. The versatility of the cabin and the view from the elevated driving position make urban fetching and carrying less of a chore, yet the engines game enough to tackle long distance work without a worry. The interior is a more mature, considered proposition compared to the previous generation RAV4. The amount of room inside is class-leading but this space has been found without sacrificing luggage capacity helped by the compact suspension causing little intrusion into the luggage bay.
But what about the typical 4x4s poor pedestrian safety record? Campaigners will say that 4x4s cause more accident damage than other categories of vehicle and that pedestrians are more likely to be seriously hurt following an accident. Again however, the Toyota breaks the stereotype, managing a very creditable 3-stars for pedestrian protection in the European NCAP crash safety testing programme. With all of those issues taken care of, you can treat yourself with a clear conscience., Which in the case of buying a RAV4 could mean opting for the XT-R version which has a collection of extras designed to make it look and feel a little bit special.
That means features like privacy glass which virtually blacks-out the rear windows, front and rear scuff plates and metallic paint. Starting at £19,995, the XT-R is £1,140 cheaper than the standard XT4 variant its based on and £140 cheaper if you pay the £1,000 needed to get leather trim. In summary? Well lets get this straight. It is not only unfair but totally inaccurate to suggest that all 4x4 models are unsafe and environmentally unfriendly.
Every vehicle can potentially be considered bad for the environment and it is possible for your everyday hatchback to be much worse than a compact 4x4. Were not pretending here that any kind of 4x4 is the cleanest car you can buy. Just that if you want one, then something like a RAV4 is a pretty good bet. And a role model, Id suggest, for some less environmentally-conscious manufacturers.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Toyota RAV4 XT-R
PRICES: £19,995-£21,270 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 11-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: [2.2TD 134] 177g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.2TD 134] 0-60mph 10.1s / Max Speed 112mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.2TD 134] (combined) 42.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Seven airbags, ABS with EBD, hill start and downhill assist controls
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4395/1815/1720mm
