Test drive Toyota Rav4 5 doors 2003 - 2006 SUV
"Absolute" ergonomics
Light restyling came toyota rav4 at the time
This SUV seemed to specially delayed the meeting. It was not yet in Moscow, then he starred in advertising, then I had urgent matters. But exactly on the day when another snow avalanche fell on the city, they called me and said - come and take it. I did not begin to be sad about the weather - she just gave me the opportunity to try out all the most noticeable innovations in the car. On the asphalt, I would definitely not be able to check how efficiently the branded system of exchange rate stability VSC, which in the new generation RAV4 replaced the differential of high friction in the flyer. But first of all, I still looked at whether the car was shod: yeah, Scandinavian studded wheels. You can be calm, at least for the predictable behavior of the car in the snow and ice.
He sat down and went ...
The first obstacle is a steep rise from underground parking, covered with snow so much that it resembles a centuries -old glacier. I better rebuild and turn on the reducing series of gears. Yes, in the Toyota four -speed automatic box there is such an opportunity. I translate the lever to position L and smoothly start off. The car, as if nothing had happened, jumps out of the underground garage, which turned out to be a real trap for other machines in such weather. Well, now in the city? For a second, I need to adjust the chair and mirrors for me, and at the same time look around in the cabin. Of the new products here is the original central console, which has become more ergonomic and modern. It is still a dominant position is occupied by a huge radio with buttons the size of a ruble coin. What for? Firstly, it is difficult to miss the movement in the movement, and secondly, the lady (and RAV4 has long managed to fall in love with the beautiful floor) about such certain nails. Under the musical installation, a climate control block was located, which from now on entered all the configuration of the SUV.
Before the driver's eyes - an updated combination of devices. White saucers in it are drowned into separate wells - as if in a real sports car, and a tachometer occupies the central position. True, this was done, in my opinion, solely for the sake of the external effect. By honor, to say, the device itself is quite small in a circle, and it is not a car with an automatic gearbox. But it creates the corresponding sports atmosphere, that's for sure. Comfortable chairs with severe lateral support are also working on a fashionable image today. The rollers on the sides of the back do not stand out too much against the general background of the interior, but they perform their work professionally, very delicately and at the same time reliably restraining the body in steep turns. What else? Now, all the RAV4 configurations in the database are installed a steering wheel with leather upholstery and radio control buttons. The bagel, again, in sporting small in diameter and quite grip. It is only a pity that it is not regulated in the longitudinal direction. Although, on the other hand, this SUV can be safely attributed to those cars that they are talking about - sat down, and went. The minimum of the required reconfigurations, everything is convenient and at hand. From the point of view of the ergonomics of this Toyota there are few equal. Add here a feeling of security that the car gives the car to its master. A tightly knocked body, as if intentionally playing muscles, began to look even more collected. The perfection of forms is emphasized by new front headlights with transparent disperfiters and protruding tube tube. It’s nice to climb into such a car. Subconsciously, there is a feeling that you find yourself in a armored capsule, where not a single earthly upheaval will get you. And from the inside, these thoughts are reinforced by thick windshield racks, soft and slightly bloated window sills.
SUV with enthusiasm
In general, the snowfall, which covered the city, was completely side by me. The only thing that really caused irritation was the turtle speed of the flow of machines surrounding RAV4 from all sides. I felt, and it is not reason that I can move twice as soon as possible. And not only because under the hood of Toyota there was a time-tested two-liter engine with a system for changing the phase distribution phase VVT-I, which now began to comply with Euro-4 toxicity, but also thanks to a complete drive, supplemented by electronic security systems. As I already said, a course stability, plus an anti -boom, ABS, help with emergency braking. However, all the same, in my head I had a recently seen picture on the road to Sheremetyevo Airport 2. Then it was also snowing, and the owner of the Korean SUV similar in size, apparently also believed in his full safety. As a result, in a small canopy, his car first set the car sideways, and then, when the driver began to try to straighten the situation with the steering wheel and gas, and completely began to wind along the entire width of the highway, alternately hitting the abyss. Well, such errors are characteristic of many who first crossed the wheel of any jeep. 
In the case of Toyota Rav4, it seems to me, such a situation would have much less ruin consequences. The fact is that the car is equipped with a permanent all -wheel drive system. That is, in ideal conditions, torque is divided equally between the axes. When one of the wheels begins to slip, the craving is thrown to the opposite axis, but in very moderate limits, approximately 40:60. However, this is not done sharply, the driver does not lose orientation in management. And without surprises: there are several models in my memory, which in such cases suddenly change their habits and from the front -wheel drive at the entrance to the turn turn into rear -wheel drive at the exit from it. It is quite difficult to switch to a person in time. So, having simulated a gentle turn on one of the empty snowy sites and hitting the brake pedal during the maneuver, I made Rav4 slide out with all the wheels. A little harsh, of course, but the speed was not small. It was not difficult to cope with the situation - I just straightened the trajectory slightly, added gas, and the car calmly returned to its strip. 
Despite the fact that Toyota Rav4 is a small, but jeep, the car is distinguished by an independent suspension of all the wheels (in front - the racks of McPherson, behind - a two -legged scheme), a fairly low center of gravity and thoughtful weightlift. I did not notice the krenov in corners, the side wind on the highway practically did not affect the trajectory. If desired, and most importantly, the skill, these features of the machine allow you to even slightly hooligate on the road. For example, drive up to the bend at a higher speed, go into it under the discharge of gas, catch a rush of adrenaline from the beginning of the rear axle that began, and then completely calm down slipping, adding traction and pumping the steering wheel in the right direction. Moreover, I noticed that in such a situation, the SUV even gives free rein to the wheel at the wheel - when the speed was quite moderate, the light of the stabilization system never blinked, signaling the start of the electronics. Since RAV4 is so good and even fervently behaving in a situation that drivers of other cars would already count for critical, you need to try to disable the course stability system. This is where, in theory, the very essence of the car will appear. However, I could not do this - I did not find such a button in the salon. Maybe it is for the better - do not be famously, while it is quiet. The vast majority of potential buyers of the opportunities that it possesses will be quite enough.
Two words about practicality
... I re -read the test from the beginning and realized that I had not said a word about the practicality of RAV4. Well, and this is all right with him. For example, the side doors are equipped with double seals, so that the threshold always remains clean, and you can not be afraid to dirty trousers or floors of a long coat about it. The back row of seats, in addition to the fact that it forms, forming an impressive size of the cargo site, is also regulated in the longitudinal direction, and each of the seats is separately. That is, if desired, the passenger can highlight as much space as he used to feel in the business class sedan. The spare wheel on the fifth door does not interfere with the review, and if the puncture happens, it will not be difficult to remove it. And so, believe me, in every little thing. Let me remind you once again that Rav4 literally fascinates with thought out ergonomics. 
Finally, how much does it cost? The car that has visited the test will cost the future buyer $ 35,200. Dear? But the machine is equipped with almost a maximum. The basic version of the SUV, too, should be noted, not empty, will require $ 4100 less. The main competitors are Honda CR -V, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Land Rover Freelander. Sergey Ilyinsky
Brief technical characteristics of Toyota Rav4
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 1998
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 150/6000
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 192/4000
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 10.8
Maximum speed, km/h: 175
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 9.3
Fuel tank volume, l.: 57
Dimensions, mm.: 4245x1785x1695
