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2014 TOYOTA RAV4 Review

OUR TEST CAR: 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 2.2 D-4D Diesel Manual 4x4

 
2014 TOYOTA RAV4 - Page - 1
With all the hassle going on in the auto industry right now, it’s very hard to find respect. Well, this is exactly what the 2014 Toyota Rav4 is looking for. After all, the original RAV4 is credited for inventing the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) segment and now the fourth generation is here to reclaim it.

You know Toyota, these guys never stray too far from their path and this is precisely what they’ve done with the new RAV4. Toyota has kept all the good bits of the third-gen model, but they polished each and every screw that needed this.

Nonetheless, it’s not all that simple. Yes, Toyota’s Recreational Active Vehicle may have been the first to teach people that high ground clearance isn’t just for muddy people, but the competition’s caught up.

By the time the second generation had matured on the market, the Toyota RAV4 became a lady favorite. This trend continued with the third generation - think about it, you must know a woman that drives or used to drive a RAV4.

This was not a problem at all. On the contrary, women are extremely practical when it comes to choosing a car. Their approval of the Toyota RAV4 meant that the model was doing a great job.

Alas, in all this jack-of-all-trades process, the RAV4 lost its edge on the competition. Nowadays the Honda CR-V is stronger than ever when it comes to the buying decision. And to stay in the area of global models, the newborn Mazda CX-5 isn’t exactly something to go by either.

Well, if there’s one certainty about the 2014 Toyota RAV4, then this is definitely not one of those toy crossovers only destined for the city. As you open the door, the massive rubber skirt on its lower side tells you this car means business.

But let’s not rush into the cabin yet, we’ve got ourselves an exterior to analyze. By the way, the RAV4 is obviously targeting families even more than before. While it's just a bit wider and a tad lower, they’ve made it considerably longer (+8.07 inches / 205 mm).
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2014 TOYOTA RAV4 driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4TOYOTA RAV4 in city2014 TOYOTA RAV42014 TOYOTA RAV4TOYOTA RAV4 city driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4 2.2 D-4D2014 TOYOTA RAV4 city driving2014 TOYOTA RAV42014 TOYOTA RAV4 2.2 D-4D driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4 acceleration2014 TOYOTA RAV4 open road driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4 highway driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4 front2014 TOYOTA RAV4TOYOTA RAV42014 TOYOTA RAV4 front2014 TOYOTA RAV4 headlight2014 TOYOTA RAV4 door mirrorTOYOTA RAV4 rear2014 TOYOTA RAV4 liftgate2014 TOYOTA RAV4 taillights2014 TOYOTA RAV4 wheels2014 TOYOTA RAV4 17-inch wheelsTOYOTA RAV4 in nature2014 TOYOTA RAV4 luggage compartment2014 TOYOTA RAV4 space-saver spare wheel2014 TOYOTA RAV4 wheel logs2014 TOYOTA RAV4 brake pads2014 TOYOTA RAV4 fuel filler cap2014 TOYOTA RAV4 rear door cardTOYOTA RAV4 interior: rear space2014 TOYOTA RAV4 rear seat comfortTOYOTA RAV4 Softex interiorTOYOTA RAV4 rear seats2014 TOYOTA RAV4 ISOFIX mounts on back seats2014 TOYOTA RAV4 rear door child lock2014 TOYOTA RAV4 interior trim2014 TOYOTA RAV4 interior air vents2014 TOYOTA RAV4 window controls2014 TOYOTA RAV4 ESP (VSC) button2014 TOYOTA RAV4 power driver's seatTOYOTA RAV4 steering wheel2014 TOYOTA RAV4 handbrake2014 TOYOTA RAV4 front seats in Softex2014 TOYOTA RAV42014 TOYOTA RAV4 dashboard air ventsTOYOTA RAV4 manual gear shifter2014 TOYOTA RAV4 touchscreen infotainment display2014 TOYOTA RAV4 sport button and seat heating controlsTOYOTA RAV4 interior2014 TOYOTA RAV4 interior: front2014 TOYOTA RAV4 dashboard2014 TOYOTA RAV4 steering wheel2014 TOYOTA RAV4 interior2014 TOYOTA RAV4 dashboard instruments2014 TOYOTA RAV4 light control2014 TOYOTA RAV4 interior light controls2014 TOYOTA RAV4 pedals2014 TOYOTA RAV4 rear seats2014 TOYOTA RAV42014 TOYOTA RAV4 in nature2014 TOYOTA RAV4TOYOTA RAV42014 TOYOTA RAV4 out in the wildTOYOTA RAV4 driving through river2014 TOYOTA RAV4 in deep water2014 TOYOTA RAV4 offroading2014 TOYOTA RAV4 offroad driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4TOYOTA RAV4 driving2014 TOYOTA RAV4 suspension travel2014 TOYOTA RAV4 understeer offroadTOYOTA RAV4 on gravel