2020 Toyota RAV4 GX (car review) • Exhaust Notes Australia

IF calling one thing an sincere automotive implies that it does what it says on the field, no BS, no made up advertising fanfare, no wishy washy statements, then the 2020 Toyota RAV4 GX handbook is, in 4 phrases, a rattling sincere automotive.

We ventured to the Blue Mountains west of Sydney within the base mannequin of Toyota’s prime promoting and by far and away hottest SUV, and need to say, we have been genuinely stunned by how good the RAV4 truly was.

That’s to not say we didn’t anticipate high quality from the Japanese automotive maker, however reasonably that the automotive carried out higher than we anticipated, and got here totally loaded with extra options than one would usually discover in a base mannequin, together with DAB+ digital radio.

About the one factor lacking from an in depth array of infotainment goodness, that features satellite tv for pc navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, is wi-fi cellphone charging. You’ll want the GXL for that.

It’s price noting that earlier variations of the 2020 RAV4 GX got here with out satellite tv for pc navigation and the Apple/Android duo, and that the car we’re testing right here was submit the mid-year replace to the mannequin variant.

It comes with Toyota’s full Security Suite too, which is a boon for a base mannequin. Meaning it has lane departure warning, pre-collision security with pedestrian and daytime bicycle owner detection, highway signal help and computerized excessive beam.

Nevertheless it additionally scores trailer sway management, blind spot monitoring, rear cross site visitors alert, entrance and rear parking sensors, a reversing digicam with mounted strains, ABS, EBD, stability and traction management, and hill begin help.

Spectacular proper, particularly whenever you’re reminded this can be a base mannequin. However one of the best bits of the RAV4 vary are additionally the worst bits of the GX handbook. Principally as a result of they’re not on this one – just like the CVT auto for instance.

The handbook gearbox is common. It’s straightforward sufficient to vary gears, however it feels sloppy and disengaged whilst you do it. Certain, a 6-speed stick shift offers you the power to extract energy from the 127kW 2.0-litre petrol motor, however it actually feels fairly terrible delivering it.

For the quantity acutely aware, there’s 203Nm of torque on faucet, and gasoline financial system is a claimed 6.8-litres/100km. We managed that a number of instances in testing. That’s the sincere automotive factor once more, proper.

The catch right here is that whereas the gearbox will not be so good, the dealing with and experience is excellent. It’s delicate and supple, and whereas it feels just a little floaty at velocity, you’re not pedalling your means down Conrod Straight at Bathurst at 300km/h are you.

Inside, there’s loads of plastic, and it feels tremendous low cost in sure elements, and good in others. It’s a tough name to say whether or not it’s good or dangerous, as a result of some bits are good, and a few are effectively, you understand. Even the steering wheel is technically plastic.

However like its siblings, there’s storage in all places, together with a number of bottle and cup holders, a large tray for cellphones ahead of the gear shift, and a protracted cupboard space above the glove field. This one has a non-slip floor.

There’s three USB ports up entrance and two within the rear, and all of the doorways have delicate armrests. You’ll even discover a drop down centre arm relaxation within the rear, the place there’s additionally loads of legroom and headroom.

Rear passengers additionally rating air vents too. In case you haven’t labored it out but although, the RAV4 has grown in dimension, and is now greater inside than ever earlier than (which consequently means it’s bigger on the skin too).

The repay is plenty of boot area, at 580-litres, with the usual area saver wheel. There’s below flooring storage for the boot space cowl when it’s not in use and an optionally available full dimension spare is out there (which does swallow up a few of that boot area).

The color vary for the RAV4 is fairly cool too, and contains these you’d anticipate, like Glacier White, Silver Sky, Eclipse Black and Graphite (gray), together with Atomic Rush (deep purple), Satin Blue, and our private favorite, Eclectic Blue.

You’ll be able to leap in a 2020 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD handbook, identical to the one we examined, for as little as $36,388 drive away. Not dangerous in any respect. It’s actually a tough automotive to fault, except for that fairly common handbook transmission. You simply want to recollect it’s a base mannequin.

It after all comes with Toyota’s 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee, and in case you follow your annual service schedule, Toyota will even prolong your engine and driveline guarantee from 5 to seven years.

Our check car was offered by Toyota Australia. To search out out extra in regards to the 2020 Toyota RAV4 GX, contact your native Toyota seller.