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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 MARCH 2016 IV Motoring A Toyota pioneer that keeps shining – the RAV4 CHRIS MANGION TOYOTA'S fourth-generation crosso- ver is, simply put, another star in the Japanese automotive master's crown. Aware that compact crossovers are big business, Toyota took one of its best sellers and bolstered its appearance by entwining it to the Lexus DNA... then threw in an additional hybrid ver- sion of the new 2016 RAV4. Internationally, the compact crosso- ver craze began in 1994 by none other than the Toyota RAV4. Whilst the basic layout remains mostly unchanged with the vehicle keeping its place as one of the longer CUVs, the 2016 version was treated to an almost complete makeo- ver. Front to back lines have been nicely tuned. This flow is also present on every panel on the vehicle's body. The front fascia has been restyled to a more aggressive look, which is further enhanced by a raised nose, reshaped bumper, and a higher stance. Mean- while the wrap around, lower grille is also larger, giving the impression that the car is actually wider than it really is. The RAV4's backside also got the nip'n'tuck treatment with reshaped taillights, body coloured bumper and a rear skid plate as standard. LEDs are used for the headlights, daytime run- ning lights, and taillights. On the inside, Toyota opted to refine the existing cabin using various trims, shapes and textures. Plush leather meets carbon and hard plastic, creat- ing a practical, storage savvy cabin. Stitched p-leather inserts embellish the main dashboard, which also features a 7-inch touchscreen. Quality remains high throughout the interior, including a better more comfortable steering wheel. The seats of the new RAV4 provide more lumbar support than before. Seating is also where the vehicle's extra length comes handy, providing comfortable rear legroom and a boot area that is 33% larger than the seg- ment average. The RAV4's infotainment starts with six speakers, a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth speakerphone integra- tion, a single-slot CD player, backup camera and full USB/iPod integration with voice commands as standard. Higher trims keep the same screen and speakers but the addition of Entune Plus adds HD Radio, smart- phone-based navigation, and weather displays. Powering the 2016 RAV4 is a 2.0-liter, D-4D, diesel engine. Output is rated at 143bhp. Power gets to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. This power plant has a CO2 print of 124g/km, and a combined fuel consumption of 60mpg. A 2.0Ltr CVT AWD petrol version is also avail- able. However the cherry on the cake is the Hybrid alternative. Power is derived from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but a nickel-metal hydride (Ni- MH) battery and two electric motors provide the electrification. While an electric motor drives the front wheels, another motor supplies power to the rear axle. Using practically the same drivetrain system as that found on the Lexus NX, output is rated at 194horse- power and 206 ft/lb of torque. Whilst the RAV4 got a cosmetic upgrade, one of the largest upgrades remains unseen, yet felt. The suspen- sions sport the biggest mechanical upgrade on this vehicle. Stiffer springs, larger anti-roll bars and firmer damp- ing provided excellent body and wheel control at high speeds and handled mid-corner bumps excellently. Wheel options include five different styles depending on trim level, and include 17-inch steel units, 17-inch al- loys, and 18-inch alloys. Paint options include Black Currant Metallic, Silver Sky Metallic, Hot Lava, Super White, Black, Blizzard Pearl, Barcelona Red Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Clas- sic Silver Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, and my personal favourite, Electric Storm Blue. Interior colour schemes include Black, Ash, and beige. Having splashed out on looks, a hy- brid engine and a better drive, Toyota did not hold back on the RAV4's safety features. Standard safety equipment includes eight airbags and two LATCH locations, stability control, traction con- trol, ABS, electronic brake-force distri- bution, brake assist, and Smart Smart Stop Technology. Other safety features are found on higher trim options. When Toyota launched the RAV4 back in the 90s, its aim was to marry SUV features to the daily vehicle's handling, practicality and fuel econo- my. The 2016 RAV4 takes all that to a new level by tapping into technology and looks, which were previously strict- ly Lexus territory. Last year, almost as many Toyota RAV4 were as the total sales of its closest Japanese competi- tor – not a sector-to-sector comparison but the RAV4 versus the other com- pany's total sales and in its new guise, the RAV4 certainly has what it takes to keep every star in Toyota's crown. The new Toyota RAV4 can be seen locally at Michael Debono Ltd, with prices starting from €34,095 for the Active model and €37,895 for the Icon version which we tested. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MANGION