The studious folks over at Spanish publication km77 have put the new Toyota RAV4 through the dreaded Moose Test, with the latest version of the Japanese crossover having to settle for a “poor” rating.
In the video below, the new RAV4 – here wearing 18-inch alloys wrapped in Dunlop Grandtrek PT30 rubber in 225/60 size – is subjected to one of the toughest handling tests out there, designed to simulate an animal suddenly running in front of a moving vehicle.
We should point out, however, that the model evaluated here is the front-wheel-drive hybrid version, which is currently not offered in South Africa. Thanks to the presence of this model’s nickel-metal hydride battery below the rear seats, its centre of gravity may well differ from that of SA-spec non-hybrid models.
Anyway, as we’ve pointed out before, whereas the Swedes usually perform the evaluation at about 60 km/h, this test from the Spaniards is conducted at higher speeds.
The RAV4 was put through the test first at the standard 77 km/h (or, in this case, with a slightly lower entrance speed of 75 km/h), but km77 reported its driver was “caught by surprise by an oversteer effect which had to be controlled by fast counter-steer”. The publication added it believed the “average driver” would “struggle to keep control over the car in an emergency situation such as this”.
Eventually, the driver successfully completed the Moose Test at a highest speed of 71 km/h, but km77 said it took plenty of practice to get right.
Watch the video below, which includes a slalom test (in which the RAV4 fared far better), to see just how the RAV4 performed. Take note that the commentary is in Spanish, but has the option of English subtitles…
