IN 1994 Toyota created the current hottest automotive trend, the Crossover Utility Vehicle, giving customers the best of both worlds —car-like performance with traditional Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) space. Twenty-two years later, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 continues on its original mantra albeit a bit more grown-up.

In the face of competition from multiple rivals and changing tastes, the fun factor of the original has been replaced with what we would call middle-age spread. Still the RAV4 has grown with grace to retain its position as one of the brand’s top sellers. Gone is the cheeky styling, now updated for 2016 with a fresh, modern exterior that continues to mark it a unique proposition. The vehicle has no corporate face. The design nips and tucks the rump of the previous model, while the front goes high tech with its narrow HID headlights. In a strange way, it doesn’t look like another Toyota, but still is.

The radical nose job outside is countered by simplicity inside the cabin. The dash swoops and contours leaving cubby spaces for everything, such as all the modern electronic devices. While others have cabins that look like the cockpit of a 747, the RAV4 is bare to fault, hiding its controls neatly away and leaving the key functions most will use on a daily basis within a hand’s reach. All the extras, like the rain-sensing wipers and self-dimming rear-view mirror, are best set to auto mode and forgotten to avoid the usual techno-overkill in rivals.

This means drivers can get comfortable in the seats and enjoy the spacious interior while focusing on driving. More focus on vehicular operation can be gained from the quiet cabin. Exterior noise levels never stress the voice or tax the stereo system’s volume. In traffic, one need not worry as front and rear sensors keep track of pedestrians for you as well.

The engine is more than willing in any of the three modes, ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT, with the last presenting a very aggressive gearing programme for acceleration. The chassis is firm, making light work of the rough urban roads, suggesting that out of town sojourns and light off-road duty should be little issue, especially when equipped with four-wheel drive. The pleasure of the small, leather-wrapped steering wheel adds to the delight of manoeuvrability.

Starting at around $4.9 million for the front-wheel drive model, 2016 Toyota RAV4 can be configured with even more niceties like full-time four wheel drive, leather, and sunroof.