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Toyota’s popular Hybrid RAV4 SUV – but is it worth the ten month wait

David Berthon

Driving Toyota’s highly popular medium-sized Hybrid RAV4 SUV – the ten-model RAV 4 range our biggest selling SUV by a country mile despite chronic stock shortages with delivery now quoted at 10 months on ordering.

I tested the popular Hybrid mid-spec GXL all-wheel drive at $42,915 combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor generator with a combined output of 163kW driving the front wheels through a CVT automatic – an additional motor generator provides power to the rear axle – in selected trail off-road mode up to 80 per cent of the torque can be delivered to the rear wheels.

So what makes it Australia’s favourite family SUV? For a start the package size – generous luggage space with an adjustable height load floor helped by a space save spare wheel. Good rear seat space with the benefit of rear air vents and USB ports for the kids, good driver and front passenger space, good ergonomic controls and a great steering wheel setup although instrumentation not as good as a Hyundai or Kia while the lack of a seat height adjuster on the passenger seat a real disappointment.

But it’s the driving experience where it excels – very balanced, quiet, smooth with great economy, I managed the factory stated 4.8L/100 without really trying. Five star ANCAP Safety with five years/unlimited kilometre warranty.

I’m David Berthon.

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David Berthon
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