2014 TOYOTA RAV4 Review

As far as safety is concerned, the Toyota RAV4 started off well in life, being awarded the Top Safety Pick title by the IIHS. The crossover received Good ratings for the moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear impact tests. Alas, the RAV4 only managed a Poor rating on the more sever small overlap front crash test, one that catches many new cars out.

As for the Euro NCAP folks, they offered the Toyota RAV4 a five-star safety rating. Still, it’s interesting how the safety equipment of the crossover is a bit different for the two markets.

Americans get eight standard airbags, while Europeans have one less. Fortunately, both continents get a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert - when you back up, you receive warnings for cars coming from either direction.

Nonetheless, back up we shall not, as Toyota has clearly moved forward with its new RAV4. Being obsesses with hybrids, the company has turned this crossover into one.

Despite not offering a hybrid powertrain, the Toyota RAV4 can easily be described in this manner. The vehicle aims to keep its existing customers base, people who want something that's easy to drive and multi-purpose.

What’s more, Toyota also wanted to add some personality and made the RAV4 a bit tougher - you can say that the RAV4 feels like a baby Land Cruiser from behind the wheel. This expansion of the RAV4’s character makes up the best part of the car.

In the transformation process, Toyota’s RAV4 has certainly become more interesting than its past two generations, which were losing more and more of the original’s spirit.

Toyota's RAV4 has done its job well throughout the drive and yet we can’t offer it the crown. The RAV4 wanted to be the queen of the crossovers once again, but it doesn’t stand out all that much. We’ll label this as the worst part of the car.

As for its pricing, the RAV4 was never shy and things haven’t changed. The 2014 Toyota RAV4's MSRP starts at $23,300, with AWD costing an extra $1,400. EUR USD. In Europe, the RAV4 starts at EUR30,900 (19 percent VAT included). We'll give this one an eight as far as value for money is concerned.

Toyota’s done a nice effort with the new RAV4, but don't expect this to return to the king queen position it once occupied.