Toyota RAV4 120D 4X4 Advance 20th Anniversary, road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)

This week, in our road test section, we have one of those vehicles that can be considered the “pioneers” of a genuine trend.

We’re talking about the Toyota RAV4, which in this fourth generation takes a very family-oriented and recreational approach, competing in one of the most contested segments of the current market.

Engine

The unit in question features a D4D diesel engine (hence its 120D designation), with a 2-litre displacement and a four-cylinder layout. This engine, first introduced in the Auris compact, delivers figures that are sufficient to move the Japanese SUV: 124 CV at 3,600 rpm and 310 Nm across a range from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm.

This engine is relatively modern, and it has been built to be highly efficient. It uses the latest generation of technology available to the general public, with a high-pressure direct injection system and a smart lubrication system (the oil pump is electronically controlled to always deliver the right flow).

It is an engine with a modern feel. That is to say, it comes on very early and runs out of steam very early too. Thanks to turbocharging via a variable-geometry turbo, we find a more than noticeable pull from as low as 1,500 rpm, a pull that barely lasts until 3,000 rpm, at which point we’ll feel more comfortable if we engage a higher gear. Its noise levels are not high, but it is true that some vibration filters into the cabin, especially when cold. Once it reaches operating temperature, there is no problem.

Performance

The RAV4 120D was not designed to set lap times on a twisty stretch or to squeal away from traffic lights. Its performance is adequate, with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h. Although the figures don’t suggest heart-stopping performance, the sensation behind the wheel is quite different, as the six-speed manual gearbox has very well-judged ratios that allow you to extract the full potential of the engine in any circumstance.

So much so that on the road, at 90 km/h in fifth gear, we will be cruising at around 2,000 rpm, which means being within the peak torque range. Something similar happens at 120 km/h on fast roads, resulting in a pleasant sense of pull at any moment. The RAV4 doesn’t flinch on slopes unless they are quite steep, at which point the car itself asks us to downshift.

Handling

The RAV4, in this fourth generation, has been focused more than ever on delivering good on-road handling – although it has not forgotten the countryside, something we will discuss later on.
Thanks to its new platform, the Japanese SUV is comfortable on fast roads (although the suspension, MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, is a touch firm and bouncy), allowing the family to travel in comfort. When we pick up the pace a little or venture onto twisty roads, the RAV4 surprises with handling that is more car-like than we expected, as body roll is practically non-existent, and its braking and acceleration are more than sufficient to make progress at a good pace.

Only the steering leaves something to be desired, due to its limited feedback from the road as well as excessive assistance. The latter, which is very welcome in town, becomes less pleasant on the open road.

But, let’s not forget, the RAV4, and especially the 4X4 version we are testing, calls for the countryside. The RAV4 has always been one of the most capable SUVs in its class, and in this generation the story repeats itself. With a minimum ground clearance of 187 mm, approach and departure angles of 20º and 23º respectively, and a maximum wading depth of 500 mm. In practice, when you combine these figures with an intelligent all-wheel drive system, the result is a vehicle perfectly capable of travelling safely along tracks, and it is also possible to enjoy some more challenging trails, always bearing in mind that we are talking about a predominantly urban SUV with road-biased tyres and a very simple mechanical layout.

Speaking of its all-wheel drive system, the RAV4 4X4 features a multi-plate clutch fitted just before the rear differential. This clutch, electronically controlled, is responsible for distributing power between both axles. Under normal conditions the rear axle receives no power at all, although the split can vary from 100/0 to 50/50. Additionally, there is a dashboard button labelled “Sport“. This mode sends 10% of the power directly to the rear axle simply by turning the steering wheel. In this way, there will always be, even if minimal, a reserve of power at the rear axle.

Consumption

The RAV4 120D 4X4 homologates really low consumption figures for the vehicle we are talking about, with a combined figure of 5.2 litres, rising to 6.2 litres in the urban cycle but dropping to 4.6 in the extra-urban cycle. Taking into account the current consumption homologation method, it is not unreasonable to expect a difference of roughly 1.5 litres, something that matches perfectly with the figure recorded by our RAV4’s trip computer over the 1,100 km our test covered.

The final figure, which includes several motorway journeys of over 200 km, as well as urban traffic and country drives, came to 6.9 litres per 100 km. Considering that we are talking about a vehicle of more than 1,600 kg and a notably large volume, we find this to be a rather good figure.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadToyota RAV412 versions · from 46,500 €