TOYOTA RAV4 4x4 2006‑2012

Ran it from new for 2 years, dead reliable, dealer service is good and priced well, drives more like a car than a 4x4, best mid range 4x4 by far (sorry Landrover) 35 - 40 mpg lots of power, tax / co2 bracket very good for this size of vehicle, towing the caravan is a synch. Pulled the caravan out of muddy fields where others get stuck AWD works especially well. Bags of room front and back very large boot, 5 people and luggage no problem. Easily turns into a cavernous truck with the back seats down. Level of toys (with this model at least) is excellent. Only bad point. No spare wheel not even off a wheel barrow, have to contend with a can of shaving foam. Other than that I cant fault it, get an unmolested low mileage one, let someone else suffer the depreciation, they don’t go wrong.

A FABULOUS CAR, PRACTICAL, ROOMY, AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE AND MOREOVER IT DRIVES REALLY WELL. GREAT IN WINTER.

Have run my RAV4 for nearly 2 years, having been very much a hatch back fan before. It's also the first diesel vehicle I've owned.

The space for passengers and "stuff" is impressive, carries 5 passengers in leather upholstered comfort, or rear seats fold down for van size luggage space - can take up to 2m long flat packs with a bit of ingenuity! Supplied equipment is high spec, hands free Bluetooth, Climate control, integral 6 disc CD, heated seats etc

Driving style is slightly different due to the higher centre of gravity, but easy to get used to. Performance of the 2.2 turbo diesel is more than adequate, around 10 sec to 60 mph not earth shattering, but acceleration 50 - 70 makes up for it nicely. Fuel consumption comes in at just under 40 mpg on average, keeping it to 50 mph gives 40 mpg plus.

Toyota service is outstanding, with transparent pricing, services are every 10,000 miles.

The vehicle does local and long distance journeys, has been off road on occasions, AWD (All Wheel Drive) takes care of everything, can be locked in if needed. Coped with last year's snow easily.

Overall, have really enjoyed my RAV4 experience, recommended!

I am not a 4x4 fan but decided to buy the Rav as it is very similar to a car to drive. I also use it to commute to work -the dashboard display shows that it does 43mpg. Very good boot space - it takes a large pram easily. It did breakdown once (recovery man said that it was very unusual for him to have a Rav on the back of the truck) but the problem was sorted quickly at the dealership. I bought it second hand 18 months ago and so far I am really happy with it.

Overall it's a slightly better than average car. It does all you need but with no real personality. I've never really walked out every morning thinking 'what a great car'. It's been reliable and fuel economy has been better than expected.

One major blight is that there is no spare wheel. On a cold, wet Friday night I had a puncture in the off-side rear. I was stranded. The kit was useless and I'll be taking a car with a space-saver from now on. Even the recovery chap was quite damning.

Done some 35K miles in two years and it's not missed a beat, build quality is excellent and the gearbox on this 2.2 diesel model is much better that the version specified with the Lexus 2.2 diesel I had before.

In the snow last year it was good and the 4x4 came into its own.

It will be interesting to see how Toyota move the RAV4 on in the coming years as it's being left behind by the competition in my view.

I have to say when i was looking to buy a SUV it was a minefield as there are so many to choose from.

First i listened to work colleagues and asked them their opinions as i knew some of them owned one and some had parted with theirs.

All good positive feedback i must say from them all.

Then i checked out Top Gear, and Clarkson gives the Toyota very good reviews.

Then i checked on Auto Trader to see what was for sale in my area and nationwide.

After that i contacted Listers Toyota at Grantham as they had a sued one in my price range.

After taking a test drive i paid a deposit to secure it. It had everything i wanted, a diesel engine for economy, plenty of room in the cabin, 6 speed gearbox, good visibility, comfort need i go on.

I am a self employed builder and use this vehicle everyday as a workhorse and it is so so reliable.

The seats fold down to increase the space in the back for more materials to be stored.

Running costs are really good considering its a 2.2 and road tax is excellent coming in at £ 180.00 a year.

This vehicle is also used to travel to the docks at Southampton where we go cruising twice a year, again the space is really useful for those extra cases you can take aboard.

The Toyata's robustness and reliability convey a great feeling of security and safety. It is relaxing on long drives and a willing workhorse for daily use. The only, all be it minor, irritation is the side hinged rear door which leads to slight restriction of the opening.

Own it for the second year, done 35 000miles, in which 2 long eastern european trips (aprx 6000 miles each). Plenty of space for 3-4 persons, usually only me and my wife in it, got no kids yet. A lot of power on mine, Rav 4 T-180 model, 177hbp, and used with a Lindon (toyota) tuning kit, provide a astonishing 218hpb, which is plenty for the car of this size. Got a new engine, replaced under the warranty, due to the known "head gasket" issue, so pleased with mr.T service.

Pro's: good power, MPG with new engine is 37mpg - urban, 42mpg higway. Spacious inside, good visibility, good grip on the road.

Con's: runflat's a expensive to change, unless you stick on conventional/normal tyres, slightly noisy on the road, but this is because of the road surface basically.

RAV4 does everything right except

Poor ride on bumpy roads

Gear change 1st to 2nd drags

Hard and lumpy seat initially

side hung boot door lets rain pour in

Otherwise well built, reliable, fast and economical SUV with excellent handling. No experience off-road.

After owing several 2/4 wheel drives to include Ravs and land rovers, I have to say our RAV4 2.0 VVTi XT4 remains the most cost effective to run and reliable car owned to date. It is fantastic in all weathers, stands up to the stress of our kids and dogs and cleans up like a brand nes car every time - thankfully as a result of the fab leather interior. I will buy another one without hesitation. What a Car!!!