Toyota’s RAV4 compact SUV soft roader has been around so long it’s easy to forget quite how far it’s come.

The much improved fourth generation model we look at here is more sophisticated, better finished, and far more efficient thanks to the fresh option of hybrid power.

Reacquaint yourself with it.

You might be in for a surprise.

This heavily revised fourth generation RAV4 gets a smarter look than before - and in particular, a sharper front end.

The upper grille is more slender and is flanked by restyled halogen or LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights.

Inside, the cabin still doesn’t have a truly premium brand feel but it has been tidied up quite a lot.

The instrument binnacle, the centre console and the gearshift surround get a slightly smarter look.

Under the bonnet, the key news is the introduction of the first RAV4 hybrid model, a 2.5-litre VVTi petrol/electric unit that’s commendably smooth and frugal, putting out 194bhp and able to get to 62mph in 8.4s.

It’s offered with either two or four-wheel drive configurations, the latter equipped with Toyota’s E-Four system.

Of course, many RAV4 buyers will prefer to save a little up-front cost and stick with a more conventional powerplant up-front - probably a diesel.

For these folk, Toyota has dispensed with the rather noisy 2.2-litre diesel engine that was in the previous version of this car in favour of an uprated version of its 2.0-litre unit, upgraded from 124 to 141bhp.

Unfortunately though, you can’t have automatic transmission or AWD with this diesel unit.

Both these things though, are included on the 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol variant which offers 149bhp.

If you have decided that a RAV4 is what you want, don’t automatically tick the box for the improved diesel version before you’ve got your dealer to allow you to have a go in a hybrid model.

This petrol/electric variant does, after all, give you the useful option of AWD and once you’ve added up all the fuel and CO2 figures, it probably won’t cost you any more to run in the real world.

Something to think about.

In a car worth thinking about.