We often hear stories of a young boy befriending a simple and unassuming girl in school. Although this girl isn't what you'd call drop-dead gorgeous, there are endearing traits about her, which the boy will never forget.
Fast forward a decade and she is no longer the 'ugly duckling' that he first met. She has developed sharper features, gained experience as well as confidence, and blossomed to become the 'prom queen' of her class.
In my life, the girl in question is the RAV4, Toyota's first compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). I spent a large part of my secondary school days around the second generation RAV4 but unfortunately, the car was eventually sold to fund another and I soon forgot about its existence.
But a couple of weeks ago, I found myself behind the wheel of the facelifted, fourth generation RAV4 and was pleased to see that Toyota has thoroughly refined the car, and given it a groovier personality.Up close and Personal
The facelifted RAV4 doesn't just have a shapelier front bumper but also a more aggressive front grille that draws out to a pair of new LED headlamps with Daytime Running Lights (DRL).
To add function to form, these lamps now come with a self-levelling system and Toyota's Follow-Me-Home function, which keeps them on for 30 seconds after the car has been shut off.
From the back, the most noticeable revisions are the RAV4's new rear LED combination lamps, which bear a slight resemblance to the Harrier's. Toyota has also tweaked the design of the RAV4's rear bumper, from looking 'off-road mud-ready' to 'modern city-slicker'.
More amusingly, the RAV4's conventional stick-like antenna has been replaced with a BMW-esque 'roof shark fin'.
And to match the car's contemporised design language, a more elaborate set of 17-inch rims have now been thrown into the mix. They're not the flashiest pieces on the block but a huge improvement from the pre-facelift's 'built-on-a-budget' wheels.
According to Toyota, the RAV4 is now built a little longer and a little taller, from a length of 4,570mm to 4,605mm and a height of 1,660mm to 1,675mm. It does grow a tad shorter, losing 7mm of ground clearance, but in Singapore, that won't matter much.
Changes on the inside, have also been kept minimal but meaningful. Like most other Toyotas, cabin design is neat, with lots of useful spaces to store small items. Larger stuff will fit nicely in the car's 647-litre boot, which expands to a total of 1,846 litres with the rear bench folded.
For added driving convenience, the RAV4's cluster now comes equipped with a full-colour TFT 4.2-inch multi-information screen that displays statistics like fuel economy, average speed and also Dynamic Torque Control Display.
The Drive
As before, the RAV4's powertrain comprises of Toyota's Dual VVT-i, 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
The naturally aspirated lump's 150bhp and 196Nm of torque won't be creating any headlines but with the way this power is delivered through the transmission, it just might.
As we fought our way through city traffic, the RAV4 managed to lay rubber without feeling out of breath and the well-tuned CVT ensured that acceleration was smooth and linear.
For added driving convenience, the RAV4's cluster now comes equipped with a full-colour TFT 4.2-inch multi-information screen that displays statistics like fuel economy, average speed and also Dynamic Torque Control Display.
The Drive
As before, the RAV4's powertrain comprises of Toyota's Dual VVT-i, 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
The naturally aspirated lump's 150bhp and 196Nm of torque won't be creating any headlines but with the way this power is delivered through the transmission, it just might.
As we fought our way through city traffic, the RAV4 managed to lay rubber without feeling out of breath and the well-tuned CVT ensured that acceleration was smooth and linear.
In Sport mode, throttle response is sharpened and the steering gains a bit of heft for confidence at higher speeds and on twistier tarmac.
Even with its sizeable proportion, the RAV4's well-sorted suspension and Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive (AWD) system allows for spirited driving but, of course, don't expect it to behave like an 86.
Most importantly, comfort isn't compromised in the pursuit of handling prowess and the RAV4's refined characteristics on the road make it one of the best in its class.
Conclusion
With these visual improvements and quintessential modern amenities built into the $153,888 RAV4 (as of 1st April 2016), Toyota has managed to recapture the hearts of its audience, much like the girl-next-door who has matured into a strong, attractive young woman.
After all, can we expect anything less from the Japanese marque that pioneered the idea of a compact SUV?
Even with its sizeable proportion, the RAV4's well-sorted suspension and Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive (AWD) system allows for spirited driving but, of course, don't expect it to behave like an 86.
Most importantly, comfort isn't compromised in the pursuit of handling prowess and the RAV4's refined characteristics on the road make it one of the best in its class.
Conclusion
With these visual improvements and quintessential modern amenities built into the $153,888 RAV4 (as of 1st April 2016), Toyota has managed to recapture the hearts of its audience, much like the girl-next-door who has matured into a strong, attractive young woman.
After all, can we expect anything less from the Japanese marque that pioneered the idea of a compact SUV?
