The Toyota Rav4 has quite a bit of history.

In fact, it’s been around for a quarter of a century, since 1994.

So it’s a well-established name with a well-established following.

It’s evolved into a very able and dependable SUV.

Today, the range includes a petrol-electric hybrid option alongside a petrol-only option.

The diesel was axed earlier this year as part of Toyota’s strategy to remove them from its line-ups.

There’s also the choice between front and four-wheel-drive, depending on whether you need the car for mostly practical on-road stuff, or spend more time on the rough stuff.

This latest range gets an improved 2.0-litre petrol engine with all-wheel-drive and this year’s model range also has a new structure – Icon, Icon Tech, Design and Excel.

In short, Icon gets 17in alloys, safety tech included pre-collision and pedestrian detection, trailer sway control, stability control, 7in touch screen with digital radio, Bluetooth and reversing camera and a power back door with height memory setting.

That’s some pretty handy base spec for those in need of practicality.

Icon Tech adds sat nav and other bits, while Design gets 18in alloys, leather and heated seat and the like.

We drove top-end Excel, which has all of the bells of buttons of luxury alongside the practical elements.

The hybrid setup, which has been Toyota’s selling point for some years, is available on all grades and we had it on our model.

It works well in this size of car coupled as it is to a 2.4L petrol engine for a total output of 197hp. It doesn’t work so well in bigger cars with bigger petrol lumps, but here it’s great.

We managed high 40s on the commute easily, which compares well to the on-paper combined mpg of 55.

It’s a good combination with power from the engine and efficiency from the electric motor.

The standalone petrol option is the aforementioned 2.0L, with 152hp and predictably less exciting mpg figures.

The drive is smooth in all aspects and the ride is comfortable.

For a decent size SUV it doesn’t feel like you’re driving a big car. It handles sharply.

There’s the usual tech and the touch screen system is passable if not the most modern out there.

You get a decent interior and plenty of room in the back and boot.

The range starts from £29,295.