What's the news?

Toyota's clearly gearing up for a fight with its revised RAV4 for 2014. This year sees the availability of four-wheel drive with its entry level 2.0 D-4D engine. There's new spec - like a new touchscreen multimedia system, new options including Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. On sale now, the 2014 RAV4 prices start from £22,195 for the cheapest entry level, two-wheel drive version.

Exterior

For 2014, new features are added like 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels. Included also is keyless entry, automatic headlights and wipers plus folding exterior door mirrors.

Interior

Need to be connected? New for 2014 is a revised high-resolution multimedia touchscreen. Toyota claims the new screen has four times the resolution of the original system. Essential device hook-up includes iPods and other mp3 players, displaying album and track information where possible. Need to be very well connected? No problem. On higher version RAV4s, Toyota's 'Touch 2 with Go' is now an option. Using the new touchscreen, real-time navigation alerts with detour suggestions, offering advice to avoid congestion, while calculating the delay of an alternative route. Smart stuff. Toyota says the optional new system offers Google Street View with, for the first time, Panoramio full pinpoint on-screen imagery.

Mechanicals

The big news though, is the availability of four-wheel drive with the 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine. The 122hp engine also produces 310Nm and, when fitted with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, returns 53.3mpg on the combined cycle. There are 11 different powertrain options to choose from, right up to the range-topping, 2.2D-CAT AWD automatic.

Anything else?

For 2014, Toyota is incentivising customers by offering £400 off the list price of the 2.0 D-4D 2WD. The car is on sale now, starting at £22,195.

Mark Gallivan - 24 Jan 2014