Toyota RAV4 review - Interior & comfort

Interior quality is a highlight for the RAV4, with sturdy materials that might not always be the most stylish in the class, but appear robust and likely to look just as good after a decade of wear. The chunky heater controls are well suited to an SUV – and help set the RAV4 apart from cars like the Tesla Model Y that have virtually no physical controls – and the panoramic rear-view mirror (a camera mounted in the boot) is helpful, if a little strange to get used to at first.

Perhaps the biggest gripe, though, is the infotainment system. Despite a sizeable 10.5-inch screen which controls the DAB radio, reversing camera and Bluetooth connectivity, it feels way behind the competition, with poor graphics and a clunky interface. At least you can now bypass Toyota's software by using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay (powered by your smartphone), which was recently added to the RAV4 after it launched.

Toyota RAV4 equipment

The RAV4 lineup is relatively simple, with just the two mid-range trim levels remaining: Design and Excel, along with GR Sport sitting above them. Design models get LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a 10.5-inch infotainment display, a 12.3-inch instrument display, rear-view camera and DAB Radio, as well as 18-inch wheels, keyless entry, a powered tailgate, front parking sensors and sat nav. 

Your next step is then to Excel trim, which gets a heated steering wheel, adds power adjustable driver and passenger seats, black leather upholstery, and upgrades the headlights to projector LEDs. There’s also a GR Sport trim above this with slightly sportier styling inside and out on top of the Excel’s equipment.

While GR Sport doesn’t make the RAV4 a sports car in the same vein as those from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, it does get several of the Excel’s equipment features, plus paddle shifters to let you take control of virtual gear ratios, special Alcantara seat upholstery, 19-inch GR Sport alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and other sporty touches.

Options

Buyers can add a panoramic sunroof to both the Excel and GR Sport models, while all RAV4 variants can be optioned with a choice of either saddle brown and black, or grey and black leather trim. The Excel gets further leather trim options in either grey or beige, while metallic paint is optional, and the GR Sport can be chosen with distinctive two-tone finishes.