Don’t be fooled by the familiar look of Toyota’s new RAV4 - the original ’soft’ roader has actually toughened up. Rivals such as the Land Rover Freelander, Nissan X-Trail and Honda CR-V have forced a redesign of the 4×4. And after exclusively driving the newcomer, we can report that the effort has been very worthwhile.

The new RAV4 is bigger than the old car, measuring 180mm longer and 70mm wider, while the outgoing model’s platform, drivetrain and suspension set-up have all been ditched.

Replacements for each have come from other models in the Japanese firm’s family. The parts bins of the mighty Land Cruiser and frugal Prius hybrid were raided to help create the best-handling, most economical RAV4 yet. To give the new 4×4 greater stability on and off-road, engineers started with a brand new 4WD system.

Unlike the former full-time all-wheel-drive transmission, the new arrangement powers the front wheels until the car begins to slide, which causes drive to be transferred to the rear axle. Slippery conditions also force the car’s traction control systems - inspired by those fitted to the Lexus RX400h - to spring into action to give limpet-like grip.

To improve off-road performance further, the RAV4 also inherits Down-hill Assist Control (DAC) from the Land Cruiser, which restricts speed to 5km/h. On the test track, our emergency braking and fast cornering manoeuvres proved that this cocktail of systems irons out body roll and offers better traction than its predecessor. The steering feels direct, precise and nicely weighted. Even through a makeshift slalom course, the RAV4’s improved stability was clear. Impressively, the Toyota’s ride quality has not been compromised, and the car still feels comfortable over uneven surfaces.

While our car used the Japanese-spec 2.4-litre petrol engine and CVT gearbox combination, the European RAV4 will get an additional choice of two new 2.2-litre diesels mated to a six-speed manual, plus a 2.4 petrol version with a four-speed auto. The standard 2.2-litre oil-burner generates 148bhp and 310Nm of torque, while the high-power diesel produces 180bhp and 400Nm.

It’s these two engines that promise to really set the car apart, and if they offer even a slice of the refinement and response of the petrol powerplant we tried, they will certainly prove to be very popular. But the great leap forward in the appeal of the new RAV4 doesn’t end there. Toyota has really focused on interior comfort. The seats are supportive, the dash is well appointed with controls that are easy to operate, while a starter button has been fitted to add a sporty touch. Indirect lighting over the cup-holders and in the footwells also adds to the ambience, while a more compact rear suspension design means that luggage space has increased considerably.

The new RAV4 may look similar to the car it replaces, but beneath the metal, it’s a different story. Loads of Toyota’s latest hardware has been combined to give the newcomer the handling and performance to remain at the top. It’s just that now Toyota has added some real attitude to the equation, and all for a similar price to the outgoing car. It sounds like a recipe for success to us.

(this article was taken from autoexpress.co.uk)

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