The winner of this category is not a Greenfields model and has been something of a landmark vehicle for the brand which has struggled of late with delivery issues more than most.

Despite Covid and chip shortages, the brand has delivered a couple of extension models to what was already a popular SUV range.

And the winner is the Toyota RAV4.

Given the RAV4’s successful history in this country, its credentials as a family recreational vehicle for the New Zealand market are impeccable. It is the best seller of the category and the benchmark for other Medium SUV’s. The hugely popular and environmentally conscience hybrid versions have a waiting list approaching 12 months at times. The RAV4 has a proud history of urban-rural usefulness, matching the evolution of Kiwi lifestylers. The RAV4 plays in a range of environments – be that on the beach, at the ski fields, in camping areas and our scenic wonderlands or through our concrete canyons.

The hybrid drivetrain endows the RAV4 with better fuel efficiency and enhanced torque off the line, whilst CVT doesn’t compromise gentle off-roading adventure. In the hybrids one of the electric motors powers the rear wheels and the second motor and petrol engine drive the fronts providing AWD capability.

This year Toyota added an Adventure AWD spec hybrid version with equal top model status with the Ltd, but with a more adventurous appearance and also a XSE hybrid AWD to sit between the Ltd and GLX grades. The Adventure model in particular would suit NZ4WD readers. All this sets the RAV4 firmly in place as a Kiwi fave and a deserving NZ4WD award winner.