Motoring Editor MALCOLM BAYLIS heads to Sweden to try out Toyota's new diesel Rav4.

SINCE its launch last summer the latest RAV4 has been a best seller for Toyota. More than 37,000 have been sold across Europe, with the United Kingdom expected to add around 10,500 this year alone. However, 3,000 of these will be a new diesel which does not go on sale until September.

The introduction of the new Rav4 D-4D throws open a new market area for Toyota: it is its first diesel in the sports utility vehicle (SUV) range and will be fitted to both three-door and five-door models. It also comes in with a starter price of £15,995.

The new diesel for the RAV4 has been given a 5bhp power boost over the previous 2.0-litre D-4D engine used on the Avensis saloon with the added fitting of a variable nozzle turbocharger which provides computerised engine control, calculating the optimum turbocharger pressure from throttle use, engine speed and temperatures. It is also a much cleaner and economical engine. Control of the fuel injection is through the engine control unit and a fly-by-wire throttle position sensor. There is no accelerator cable.

Fuel guzzling is not part of the RAV4 make-up, and the diesel returns just under 40mpg for both three and five-door models on the combined cycle.

With such economy figures behind it, the RAV4 diesel is seen by Toyota as a keen contender in the fleet market. This diesel also benefits from 20,000-mile service intervals making maintenance and repair costs even more competitive against other competitors. It also has twin catalytic converters to meet future emission controls.

So what else does the new model offer. Well, it will carry the same specification details as the petrol-powered models. Even the designated NV entry level model will have air conditioning, whiplash protection front seats, driver and front passenger airbags, roof rails, ABS anti-lock braking with electronic distribution ensuring smooth braking to all wheels, as well as remote control alarm system, double locking and immobiliser.

Other standard features include power steering, electric front windows, power mirrors, radio/cassette player, and a rear seating layout that slides, folds, tumbles or can be removed if wanted.

Pricing has been reached by adding £1,000 to the petrol-powered models. The NV three-door 2.0-litre is £15,995, the five-door model £17,495, as is the NRG three-door. The GX five-door is £18,695 and the flagship VX £20,695.

If you are looking for comparisons, then Toyota uses the five-door NV at £17,495 to match with rivals from the Land Rover, Suzuki and Vauxhall stables. For starters it is the only model to have air conditioning as standard, and for the Land Rover Freelander 2.0-litre turbo diesel to provide matching specification, such as air conditioning, roof rails and a passenger airbag, would add another £1,300 to its £18,695 price ticket. It is a similar story with Suzuki's Grand Vitara and the Vauxhall Frontera models, both would cost more to match the RAV4 D-4D specification.