The New Toyota RAV4 (2009)

Fifteen years ago the original Toyota RAV4 created a new market segment for compact, fun-to-drive SUVs. Now it is ready to raise the bar higher with improved performance, lower emissions and even better fuel economy. Thanks to new and revised powertrains with Toyota Optimal Drive technology, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 becomes an even stronger proposition for owners looking for quality, driving pleasure and keen cost-of-ownership performance.

Toyota Optimal Drive 2.2-litre D-4D 150 Engine

Matched to a six-speed manual gearbox, the 2.2-litre D-4D engine benefits from significant revisions to bring about a 10 per cent power upgrade to 148bhp (150 DIN hp), while at the same time recording segment-leading CO2 emissions of 154g/km, making RAV4 the first AWD model in its class to dip below the 160g/km mark. Fuel economy is also best-in-class with an official 48.7mpg in combined cycle driving - 10 per cent better than its closest competitor, the 2.0 TDi 4motion Volkswagen Tiguan, which musters 44.1mpg.

For the first time the Toyota RAV4 is offered with a diesel engine equipped with an automatic transmission. Toyota's new 2.2-litre D-4D 150 D-CAT engine joins the range, offered exclusively with a new six-speed automatic transmission and in SR trim. Also featured in the new Toyota Avensis range, this engine produces 148bhp (150 DIN hp) and 340Nm of torque, generated between 2,000 and 2,800rpm.

New Six-Speed Automatic Transmission

The 2.2 D-4D 150 engine is equipped with a new six-speed automatic transmission that has a fast, smooth shift response. It comes with a selectable sport mode for a more aggressive shift pattern using AI-SHIFT Control (artificial intelligence-shift).

The driver can also opt for sequential manual shifts. Shifting the shift lever into M mode allows gears to be changed using the shift lever or paddle shifts on the steering wheel.

Return Of The 2WD Toyota RAV4

In response to the growing market for 2WD SUVs, Toyota is reintroducing a front-wheel drive version of the Toyota RAV4. Powered by the 2.0-litre Valvematic engine, matched to a new six-speed manual transmission, it will be available exclusively in XT-R trim.

Power and torque match performance in the AWD version, but emissions and fuel economy improve slightly, to 174g/km and 38.2mpg (combined) respectively.

The Toyota RAV4 also gains a series of styling changes for 2009. The new model range can be distinguished by a new front bumper, grille and headlamp design, turn indicator lights incorporated into the door mirrors, integrated front foglamps, restyled rear light clusters and new-design split-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

Price, VED and Insurance

Full model range pricing and VED bands are given in the table below. Insurance groups are due to be announce in June 2009.

GRADE	POWERTRAIN	PRICE	VED BAND
XT-R	Toyota Optimal Drive 2.0 Valvematic 6MT 2WD	£18,995	H
XT-R	Toyota Optimal Drive 2.0 Valvematic MDS AWD	£22,395	I
XT-R	Toyota Optimal Drive 2.2 D-4D 150 6MT AWD	£22,795	G
SR	Toyota Optimal Drive 2.2 D-CAT 150 6AT AWD	£25,295	J