Ratings: Toyota RAV4 2.5 in Malaysia - Class-leading features come at a cost
Sanjay · Jul 3, 2021 08:00 AM
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Following our earlier review of the Toyota RAV4 2.5, it's now time to put it through the scrutiny of WapCar's Ratings. Let's take a look at how the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V competitor fares in these instrumented tests.
Please note that all photos, tests, and measurements were taken before MCO.
Toyota RAV4 2.5: Driving Performance - 36/50, Relaxed and gentle
2020 Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Facts and Figures
Engine
2.5-litre, NA four-cylinder
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Power
207 PS @ 6,600 rpm
Torque
243 Nm @ 5,000 Nm
Weight
1,620 kg
0-100 km/h
9.0 seconds
100-0 km/h
39.6 metres
For what it is, the RAV4 is a decent performer with its 2.5-litre, naturally-aspirated mill. Combined with the smooth-shifting 8-speed torque converter automatic (not a CVT), the sprightly Dynamic Force engine can propel the SUV to complete the century sprint in 9 seconds.
The brakes are progressive and respond quite well, needing just 39.6 meters to stop the 1,620 kg SUV from 100 km/h. Adding on to the driving merits is its Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform and double wishbone rear suspension, which lends the RAV4 compliant handling.
That said, the RAV4 isn't exactly a corner carver; the weighted, not-overly-sensitive steering lends a relaxed character to its drive.
2020 Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Driving Performances Breakdown
Engine
Acceleration
4 / 5
In-gear Acceleration
3 / 5
Throttle Response
3.5 / 5
Transmission
Shift Logic
2 / 3
Smoothness
4 / 5
Sport/Manual Mode
2 / 3
Steering
Accuracy
2 / 3
Response
2.5 / 3
Weight & Feel
2 / 3
Braking
Distance
2 / 3
Feel
2.5 / 3
Handling
Chassis Balance
2.5 / 3
Grip
2 / 3
Load Reaction
2 / 3
Total
36/50 pts
Toyota RAV4 2.5: Ride Comfort - 37/50, Great for cruising
Just as we said in our review, benefits in the chassis and suspension translate to more than just a nice drive as the RAV4 brings comfort to the forefront.
Moderate damping - combined with soft, supportive seats - results in a calm demeanour, beating competitors like the CX-5, Subaru Forester, and even the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace in this department.
Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Cabin noise
0 km/h (AC off)
47 dB
0 km/h (AC on)
49 dB
60 km/h (AC on)
62 dB
90 km/h (AC on)
64 dB
110 km/h (AC on)
69 dB
Engine and tyre noises are well-suppressed at all speeds, but road noise is rather audible. Cabin noise is generally quieter than the CR-V, but noisier than the rest of the C-segment SUV crop.
Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Ride Comfort Breakdown
Sound Proofing
7 / 10
Suspension
9 / 10
Passenger Comfort
8 / 10
Seat Support
3 / 5
Ergonomics
3 / 5
Engine Refinement
7 / 10
Total points
37 / 50 pts
Toyota RAV4: Quality and Features – 41/50, TSS 2.0, many toys, well-built
Being a fully-imported car (CBU Japan), most prospective buyers will have a higher level of scrutiny of the build quality.
Toyota RAV4 - Panel Gaps (mm)
Location
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Difference
Bonnet
4.5
4
0.5
Front Fender
4
3.5
0.5
Front to Rear Door
4
4
0
Rear Door to quarter panel
4.5
4
0.5
Tailgate
6
6
0
Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Paint Thickness (µm)
Location
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Front Bonnet
126
Front Fender
117
105
Front Door
112
105
Rear Door
117
112
Rear Quarter Panel
115
122
Tailgate
108
Roof
137
Average paint thickness: 113 µm ±8
In this regard, we say the RAV4 will step up to the challenge quite well as it scores full points for paint finish and quality. Panel gap consistency could be slightly tighter, but it's well within average scores.
Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Exterior Material Use
Bonnet
Soundproofing Material
Thin
Struts
Manual
Front Fenders
Soundproofing Material
Yes
Doors
Front Windows
Single Glazed
Rear Windows
Single Glazed
Construction
Multi-piece
Tailgate/Boot
Opening
Powered
Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Cabin Material Use
Seat
Seat Cover
Leather
Armrest
Armrest Cover
Leather
Dashboard
Upper Section
Soft Plastic
Lower Section
Hard Plastic
Front Doors
Upper Section
Leather
Middle Section
Leather
Lower Section
Hard Plastic
The geometric interior is anything but lively, with the all-black colour scheme only broken up by silver accents.
That said, there are a few nice touches, like rubber grips on the door handles and air-cond control knobs, which themselves have a very tactile feel to them.
The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system which bundles in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support claws back more points, and the 6-speaker audio setup - with its crisp, clear sounds - further augments the in-car comforts.
There's also the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0) ADAS suite, which includes all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Pre-Collision System (PCS), and also Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with steering assist, just to name a few.
Toyota RAV4 2.5 - Quality & Feature Breakdown
Exterior
Paint Finish
4 / 4
Panel Gaps
3 / 4
Assembly Quality
2 / 2
Interior
Build Quality
4 / 5
Materials Used
3 / 5
Features
Safety
8 / 10
ADAS
5 / 5
Luxury
2 / 5
Convenience
5 / 5
Infotainment
5 / 5
Total
41 / 50 pts
Toyota RAV4: Interior space – 28.5/50, Spacious, but lacks practical touches
For an otherwise refined interior, the RAV4's cabin is rather lacking in practical storage spaces.
There's only one seat back pocket, the door bins are small, and the front overhead console only houses one pair of sunglasses.
About people space however, it doesn't leave one wanting. The wide cabin sits five comfortably, and a 170 cm tall adult can fit in about 2 tennis balls of legroom and headroom in the second row.
Toyota RAV4 - Interior Space Breakdown
Front Row
8 / 10
Middle/Back Row
7 / 10
Third Row
0 / 5
Boot Space
3.5 / 5
Practicality
2 / 5
Storage Space
2 / 5
Visibility
4 / 5
Storage Flexibility
2 / 5
Total
28.5 / 50 pts
Toyota RAV4: Fuel consumption – 13.5/20, Relatively efficient
After travelling 75.6 km with part city and part highway driving, the RAV4 used up 6.738 litres of fuel, clocking an average fuel consumption of 8.9 l/100km. The car's fuel consumption meter reports 8.06 l/100 km which is only slightly under reported.
These figures mean it bests the CX-5 2.5 turbo (9.1 l/100 km), and puts the RAV4 on equal footing with the CR-V 1.5 TC-P 4WD.
Toyota RAV4 - Fuel Consumption Test Breakdown
Fuel Consumption
10 / 15
Eco Mode
2 / 2
Indicator Accuracy
1.5 / 3
Total points
13.5 / 20 pts
Toyota RAV4 2.5: Purchase and cost - 17.5/30, Pricy, costly maintenance
For what it packs, costs are the detractor to the rest of the package. The Toyota RAV4 is offered in the sole 2.5 variant in Malaysia, with prices starting from RM 215,665 (OTR without insurance and 50% SST discount).
At this price, it's dearer than the turbocharged Mazda CX-5 2.5G 4WD High (RM 175k) and Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P 4WD (RM 163k), and VW Tiguan Allspace R-Line (RM 204k) but remember - the Toyota is fully imported, while the rivals named above are locally-assembled (CKD).
Toyota RAV4 service costs
Month
Mileage (km)
Cost (RM)
1
1,000
226
3
5,000
166
6
10,000
366
12
20,000
366
18
30,000
366
24
40,000
626
30
50,000
366
36
60,000
366
42
70,000
366
48
80,000
660
54
90,000
366
60
100,000
916
Total
5,156
Maintenance cost is not the cheapest too, totalling RM 5,156 in the first five years/100k km. Warranty is the standard 5-year/unlimited mileage coverage.
Toyota RAV4 - Purchase & Cost
Purchase
Car Price
7 / 15
Warranty
3 / 5
Cost
Maintenance
5 / 5
Fuel Cost
2.5 / 5
Total
17.5 / 30 pts
Toyota RAV4: Conclusion – 173/250 pts overall
Scoring well in most aspects - particularly in ride comfort and driving performance - the RAV4 is one for those looking for a feature-packed family SUV.
Strengths lie in its calm demeanour, punchy engine, and certainly in its TSS 2.0 ADAS suite.
Nonetheless, pricing proves to be its Achilles heel, as it's significantly costlier than most of its Japanese or even German rivals, without being overwhelmingly practical.
However, if you are in the market for a C-segment SUV with a suitable budget, it's worth taking the Toyota RAV4 into consideration.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.