2017 Toyota RAV4 GXL AWD Automatic Review | Safe And Sturdy As Ever
In a busy medium SUV segment, the Toyota RAV4 is a stalwart in the class - having been on sale in Australia for over 22 years and counting.
Though now larger, safer and more powerful than before, the RAV4 range still tries its best to combine adventure, utility, and versatility into an appealing family-oriented package.
These days flexibility and safety matter more than they did when the original launched in 1994, and the RAV4 faces off against many more competitors, but can Toyota’s urban-adventure machine still deliver where it counts?
Vehicle Style: Medium SUV
Price: $38,450 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 132kW/233Nm 2.4-litre 4cyl petrol | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 8.5 l/100km | Tested: 9.5 l/100km
OVERVIEW
In the middle of the Toyota RAV4 range sits the GXL we're testing here, and it's a popular choice owing to its balance of standard equipment, roomy interior and relatively affordable pricing - though it does start to get a little pricey when you include an automatic transmission and all wheel drive our test car.
As part of an update introduced in 2016, the RAV4 also offers an optional Tech Pack, which adds top-level safety features like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and radar cruise control, bringing additional peace of mind to young Australian families.