Sometimes you watch a new movie and see an actress you recognise but, gee, does she look different! Younger, smoother, streamlined, wrinkles ironed out, chins panel-beaten cosmetic surgery and Botox have so many benefits these days.
Enter Toyota's new RAV4. A couple of years ago I loaded up my then five-year-old daughter, some suitcases, about 700 Koki pens, a fairy dress, a doctor's set (stethoscope, yellow-and-pink thermometer, knee hammer etc), five colouring books, a cooler bag, a blanket, a pile of books, and various other goods and chattels, into a little three-door Toyota RAV4.
It was a tight fit but, hey, we were off into the Karoo for a night and then down to the beautiful golden Cape for a couple of days and then up the West Coast to Darling before hitting Paternoster. We were ON HOLIDAY and nothing could dampen our spirits, not even three doors.
The car was superb, burbling along merrily wherever we pointed it, giving a firm, smooth and ultra-comfy ride, despite the load. We grew seriously attached to it. Last week I took delivery of the latest RAV4 and, wow, it's all growed up.
So big and wide, such a beautiful new shape and streamlined silhouette, with nips and tucks here and there giving it a totally different, sculptured look. Oh joy! It also had four doors and a boot.
I can't believe it's 12 years since this SUV was first launched. Then, it captured the attention of the market for several reasons: it was such a good-looking machine and because it was something new and imaginative from the (previously) generally staid folk at Toyota.
And, as with any Toyota, it's also proved its mettle by not only looking seriously hot but by displaying a unique blend of off-road capability coupled with first-class road performance. It's a glorious car and you want to swivel the volume knob to its maximum, open the window to let your hair blow in the wind and hit the road.
Come hell or high water, the 4X4 RAV is also ably equipped to take you over almost any terrain. Anyway, if the twang hits the fan now, you've got seven crash bags ready to blow. Technologically, it's aeons ahead of the first model.
And here's a true confession: he car was dropped off and the key left for me to collect. I picked up the key, hit the remote central (un)locking button, climbed in - and searched for the ignition. Then I looked at the key again. OK, so it wasn't traditional: more like the credit card style that fits a slot and requires pressure on a start button.
By now it was twilight and, in the fading light, I hunted desperately for somewhere to insert the key. Ah! A start button. I pressed it, anyway, still clutching the key in my hand. And the RAV started. I drove home with the key in my left hand...
Merrily idling away
Hi-tech, space age driving that for those who have occasional mature moments can be dangerous. Once I unloaded the kids, closed the doors, and started to walk into the shops.
"Switch off the car," my daughter said. "I have," I retorted, waving the key in my hand. Only when I turned back and put my ear to the car did I realise it was still merrily idling away. I hadn't pressed the stop button.
How it works is that sensors inside and outside the car identify the entry code for the vehicle when the key's bearer is close - about a metre away. Once you're in, you just press the start button after depressing the clutch (manual version) or, in the auto, the brake. This also activates the central locking. Jeez, amazing stuff!
There's tons more technology lurking within the heart of this two-litre beaut, much of which could confuse the average female driver, so I'll simply say that if you like class and style, height, solidness, easy parking, space, safety, a smooth and quiet drive, and first-class handling, you'll love this very pretty SUV.
Price tag? Slightly more than Botox, girls, at R274 500.