We said we won’t mind as long as it came with a full tank of gasoline.

The unit arrived with Storm Glenda, a.k.a Gloria, and it was a godsend.

The RAV4 now being distributed locally is no longer the cute sporty ute we’ve gotten to know and love, but a bigger but blander-looking SUV.

Toyota puts the RAV4 into the luxury SUV class with rather hefty sticker prices to match — P1.785 million for the 4WD variant and P1.425 million for the 2WD.

The RAV4 4WD was delivered to Las Piñas where we’re squatting with our parents.

A longer wheelbase has made the new RAV4 much more car-like and stable to drive.

A week of driving in heavy downpour – taking the kids to school, our roommate to the office – made us realize again the advantages of having a well-appointed SUV with 4WD capability.

You feel safe and comfortable in the most inclement of weather especially with the enhanced visibility offered by the higher driving seat. You see more of the road ahead and over passenger cars.

The RAV4 4WD is powered by a 2.4-liter engine. Double overhead cam and VVTi technology make for a smooth and more efficient engine performance.

Mated to four-speed automatic transmission that hides gearshifts well, the engine generates a respectable 170 bhp at 6000 rpm and a 224 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. Toyota claims the RAV4 4WD can average 10.63 kilometers per liter.

For a luxury SUV and its hefty sticker price, the RAV4 4WD is rather spare in exterior and interior features and amenities.

Standard exterior features include fog lamps, LED-type tail lamps, rear wiper and washer system, and hard-type spare tire cover and not much else. One would expect a near two-million peso sticker price (and you’ll be forking out nearly that much to acquire one if you include the comprehensive insurance premium, the three-year registration, et al.) should get you at least a reverse sensor.

The leather for the seats and steering wheel can’t compensate for the plastic trim and metallic accents that just don’t look and feel luxurious enough.

Standard interior amenities and convenience features are the usual: Dual climate control, power steering door locks, windows and mirrors, stereo/CD/MP3 audio player with six speakers, keyless entry with alarm and immobilizer, 60/40 split-fold-tumble-sliding rear seats, rear cargo cover with net.

But at least the steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake.

Safety features also border on the usual: Anti-lock brakes system with electronic brakeforce distribution and lots of airbags but no traction on stability control.

Still, we enjoyed having the RAV4 for a week. Any Toyota is a nice, safe, reliable, comfortable daily driver, and the RAV4 is a fun weekend vehicle.

A lower asking price should make the RAV4 4WD a great buy.