From cute to brute

It was the cutest vehicle many Filipinos may have ever seen. But Toyota apparently wasn’t thinking of keeping it that way.

The RAV4 has shed off its cuteness for a new brute appearance that perfectly matches the character it wants to show. Five years after its birth, this Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive has been completely redesigned and significantly beefed up. It is now less of a toy and more of a truly useful utility vehicle.

Now 1.3 inches longer and 1.6 inches wider, the new RAV4 is more lively and more agile than its earlier incarnations. There is no two-door model for this one and the only one available is a four-door with a side-hinged cargo door.

And only one engine is available – a new aluminum 2-liter, 4-cylinder powerplant with 148 horsepower, 22 horses better than that of the old model. The new engine combines speed and fuel efficiency, thanks to to its VVTi or variable valve timing with fuel injection technology.

The unit I tested was a silver one and had a striking resemblance to Honda’s CR-V and Suzuki’s Grand Vitara. It had power-everything, from windows to steering, although the seats were manual and the almost-bare dash had only three knobs, telling me instantly that the vehicle had less electronic features than my TV set at home.

I found it fun to drive, a lot more than other compact SUVs. Its steering is precise and quick, better than most sedans. Its brakes have a European-car-feel on them, a bit tight but progressive. And the engine is considerably silent at low rpms that people outside would think it had died out.

Similar to small cars, the new RAV4’s ride is choppy on some roads and smooth on others. It doesn’t tilt much on one side, though, when you corner and the suspension handles well when the vehicle goes over humps.

The RAV4, however, failed to borrow from the Echo Verso’s interior. Its cabin is still narrow, with the rear seat a little too cramped for three adults. There are no armrests, too.

The brochure I was given said the rear seat folds and can be easily removed. But I didn’t try it. I needed space for people, not for cargo. We carried only small stuff, and the biggest of them – a child’s stroller – folded neatly in the rear cargo area.

I wasn’t too sure if it was an oversight on Toyota’s part, but it seems someone forgot to give the new RAV4 a rear bumper. It made me a little apprehensive especially when making sudden stops. I wouldn’t want to have to pay the people who loaned me the vehicle hefty amounts for a rear-end crash.

The RAV4’s instrument panel is simple. It has a parchment-like face with numbers that turn orange at night.

Overall, I would have loved to own a new RAV4. But for P1.3 something million, I think I’ll just pass it on to other people with more cash to spare. After all, I can find an equally brute vehicle at a much lower price.