The RAV4 GR-Sport is Toyota's first full-fat model to wear the Gazoo Racing badge in South Africa, and the brief is clear: make the family SUV feel more engaging without losing its everyday sense – and, after my local driving impressions from tar, gravel and city streets, the message is this RAV4 wants to be driven.
Under the bonnet sits a turbo-charged petrol engine tuned specifically for GR duty – that is ‘GR’ as in a self-satisfied purr and ‘GR’ as in Go Racing in order to enjoy the brisk mid-range punch and sportier exhaust note than the standard RAV4, though the real story unfolds through the chassis.
Stiffer springs, retuned dampers and a sharper steering calibration give the GR-Sport a noticeably more connected feel than the regular model. The automatic gearbox holds gears longer under load, throttle response is sharper and the steering feeds back more information through the wheel.
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On Johannesburg's highways the GR-Sport feels composed and confident, but it is on the narrow, undulating passes outside the city where it shows its strengths. Reduced body roll, quicker turn-in and a willingness to be hustled through corners set it apart from the standard RAV4.
I enjoyed the front-end bite and the way the chassis balances under power, making it easier to place the car mid-corner. That balance, combined with a well-calibrated traction system, makes spirited driving feel secure rather than frantic.
The braking system offers strong, confidence-inspiring stopping power and good pedal feel – important attributes for repeated high-speed runs on mountain roads. Several tests highlighted the brakes' resistance to fade, which adds to the sense of control when pushing on.
There are trade-offs, of course. The GR-Sport's firmer suspension transmits more surface texture into the cabin and for some this is acceptable given the performance gains, while others could find it feels firm on rough South African secondary roads.
Noise, vibration and harshness increase as well, with the sportier exhaust and stiffer setup raising cabin noise levels.
Inside, Toyota keeps the RAV4's practical layout but layers in GR-specific touches. Supportive bolstered seats, GR badging, contrast stitching and darker trim create a performance-inspired environment. The seats are comfortable for long drives and supportive during cornering, although a little more lateral support for very aggressive driving would be welcome.
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The cabin introduces a Digital Island architecture with a 12,3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Depending on the grade, customers get either a 10,5-inch or 12,9-inch touchscreen display with faster processing and wireless smartphone integration.
The infotainment menus could be more intuitive and physical controls for climate and audio would be preferable to touchscreen-only operation while driving. The instrument graphics also need greater clarity. Rear seat space and boot capacity remain family-friendly, making the GR-Sport a usable daily driver despite its sporting pretensions.
Fuel consumption rises quickly under enthusiastic driving, but in mixed urban and highway use it settles to figures that are reasonable for a turbo-charged performance SUV.
Still, overall average consumption for the entire test cycle (including some sportier moments) came in at 6,7 l/100 km, which is where the hybrid element makes it mark.
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The new RAV4 also introduces Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 for the first time on a Toyota model in South Africa. The system includes a Driver Monitor System, Adaptive High Beam System, Road Sign Assist, Emergency Steering Assist and Intersection Collision Avoidance functionality.
The RAV4 GR-Sport is a compelling option for buyers who want a practical SUV with genuine driving engagement – a niche between mainstream compact SUVs and dedicated performance crossovers. And, certainly a return to the RAV4 being fun to drive.
For drivers who want a family-friendly vehicle that can also be enjoyed on a twisty pass or during an enthusiastic commute, the GR-Sport hits the sweet spot. The GR badge is more than cosmetic – it delivers a tangible step up in driving dynamics without sacrificing the model's core practicality.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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