by Alastair Harris

Created on: February 18, 2007   Last Updated: May 15, 2007

Specifications of the latest Toyota Rav4 Model

MP3 CD
Auto-off head & tail lights
Dual Zone air Con with pollen filter
under area cargo storage
LED rear lights
17" tyres
Optitron instruments
Telescopic tilt & adjust steering
Engine immobilizer & central lock
60/40 split rear fold flat seats
ABS
Tonneau & Cargo net
Independent front and rear Suspensions
ATC (Active torque control)

EDD (electronic brake force distribution)
HAC (hill start assist control)
BA (Brake assist)
Dual Airbags
TRC (Traction control)
VCMS (Vehicle control Management system)
VVTi 125 Kw 224NM
ETCSi (electronic throttle control system)
VSC (Vehicle stability control)
EPS (electronic power steering)
Diff Lock
Roof rails
Privacy rear glass

I've own the previous Toyota Rav4, Edge model and I was most happy with its performance. Comfortable, stylish, a great family vehicle with off road performance. I never had a problem with its off road performance. Although unlike traditional 4WD you couldn't lock off the wheels, etc and it looks a bit soft to take off road nothing could be further from the truth. Climb paddocks and hills was not a problem and I never had a lost of traction. Great for the family shopping with great little considerations like hooks for bags, etc. Adjustable and totally removable seats were another great feature. Taking home large goods such as air conditioner units was never a problem. Just remove the rear seats for ample room.

I took the RAV4 up to Rainbow Beach to test it out of the sand and I was please with its performance. Still with only standard road tires (with lowered pressure) it handled the sand well. I was particularly worried coming off the beach in the late afternoon where the main entrance off and on the beach was churned up in the major way with a large amount of deep soft sand. This would be a test. I put it into a low gear and gunned it; I could feel that although all four wheels were working hard we breezed through the sand without a problem, test complete. I was very satisfied. If I'd had the larger Cruiser model with big tires made of the beach and off road I think I would have been able to keep up with any other 4WD.

The petrol consumption whilst a little higher than my Toyota Corolla was still good and the 2L engine gave you that added power when you wanted it. This model was all wheel drive, which mean 4WD was always active. This however had benefits, even in city driving. Once in pouring rain on the Pacific Motorway I hit a large patch of water at speed, normally in a two wheel

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