Equally, it can bring them into fully locked-up play if more traction is needed. In the interests of fuel economy, this set-up isolates the rear wheels from the drivetrain in non-demanding on-road conditions. While AWD is achieved in RAV4 Hybrid models via a supplementary electric motor that powers just the rear wheels, the 4x4 system on the Toyota RAV4 Edge is all-mechanical, with a propeller shaft running rearwards and a clutch pack that decides whether or not AWD is necessary. The new engine is also claimed to improve fuel economy by as much as 14 per cent over the previous RAV’s 2.5-litre. Satnav, part-leather interior trim, self-dipping LED headlights, climate control, heated/ventilated front seats (powered on the driver’s side only) and a premium nine-speaker JBL sound system are all part of the deal. So it’s a broad mid-sized soft-roader church…Īs the Toyota RAV4 Edge is the most expensive RAV4 you can buy Down Under, it’s packed to the hilt with safety tech and luxury fittings. These include three 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrids across Cruiser (from $46,415), GXL ($42,915) and GX ($40,070) grades with all-wheel drive, the same trio with two-wheel drive (Cruiser: $43,415, GXL: $39,915, GX: $37,070) and four variants with a 2.0-litre petrol and 2WD – Cruiser ($40,915), GXL ($37,415) and GX in both auto ($34,695) and manual ($32,695) guise.

The Toyota RAV4 range spreads from the $48,915 (plus on-road costs) Edge version reviewed here, with its 2.5-litre petrol engine and all-wheel drive, down through 10 other variants that were recently revised upwards in terms of pricing and specification.

Toyota rav4 reviews