Carscape Team
Toyota RAV4 middle class SUV is a powerful rival of Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester
Adds usability to SUV-likeness
The first Toyota RAV4 appeared in 1994 as a pioneer of SUVs (sports utility vehicles) based on passenger car chassis. Since then, it is a middle-sized SUV that was sold for 22 years until the third-generation model, which appeared in 2005, was discontinued in 2016. Although the RAV4 was once discontinued, on April 10, 2019, the new RAV4, the fourth generation in Japan, was introduced to the Japanese market in order to meet the diversifying needs of users in the mature SUV market.
The development concept of the new RAV4 is “Robust Accurate Vehicle With 4Wheel Drive”, a car that combines the strength of an SUV with meticulous attention to usability. This 4th generation is characterized by further improving high driving performance regardless of whether it is on or off, and adopting 3 types of 4WD systems depending on the power unit and grade.
Appeal to both active and urban people
The new RAV4 measures 4,600 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, and 1,685 mm high (adventure model length, width +10 mm, height +5 mm). The design has both sophistication that suits the city.
The theme of the molding is “Cross Octagon”, which is a 90° offset inset of two geometric octagons. In addition, polygons are woven throughout the exterior to express a unique design with a sense of toughness and stability. In addition, it is equipped with large-diameter tires that are effective for off-road performance and lift-up feeling like an SUV.
Eight body colors are available, including urban khaki, which was newly developed exclusively for the grade “Adventure” that symbolizes the off-road image. You can also choose from four two-tone colors for this adventure.
An interior that adds convenience to modern design
The interior has an open tray that is convenient for placing small items around the driver’s seat, around the passenger’s seat, and in the center console. Two USB terminals for charging can be used at each seat, and two are standard equipment in the console box and two at the rear end. In addition, the “Adventure” adopts a different color scheme and seat material for the interior.
For ease of driving, the instrument panel is lowered to reduce the oppressive feeling, and the wipers are designed so that they cannot be seen from inside the vehicle, ensuring clear forward visibility. Optimizing the mounting position of the door mirrors and installing a triangular window provide good oblique forward visibility.
While securing a large cabin space, the luggage capacity of 580L, which is the top level in its class, is secured even when people are on the rear seats.
In addition, a 6:4 split folding rear seat and a two-stage deck board that allows the height of the luggage floor to be adjusted have been adopted, creating a space that can be used according to the size of the luggage. In addition, if you carry a smart key, you can set up a “hands-free power back door” that automatically opens and closes the back door simply by putting your foot in and out under the rear bumper.
2.0L petrol and hybrid
The powertrain installed in the new RAV4 is a 2L in-line 4-cylinder direct injection dynamic force engine that generates a maximum output of 171ps and a maximum torque of 207Nm, and a system maximum output of 222ps (4WD vehicle) and 218ps (FF vehicle). Two types of 2.5L straight 4 dynamic force engine + motor hybrid system. All models are combined with CVT transmissions, and the fuel efficiency performance is 15.8km/L for gasoline engine FF vehicles and 15.2km/L for 4WD vehicles in the new WLTC mode. Hybrid FF vehicles are 21.4km/L, 4WD vehicles are 20.6km/L, and deterioration of fuel efficiency due to the drive system is suppressed.
4WD system with 3 types
There are two types of 4WD systems installed: “Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD” and “Dynamic Torque Control 4WD”, which are newly developed for 2L gasoline vehicles and are installed in “Adventure”. And the hybrid car adopts “E-Four” which uses a motor with increased maximum torque for the rear wheels.
Among them, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD is the world’s first mechanism. Depending on the driving situation, in addition to the front and rear torque distribution, the “torque vectoring mechanism” independently controls the left and right rear wheel torque, and when it is determined that 4WD driving is unnecessary, the drive system that transmits power to the rear wheels is disconnected. A “disconnect mechanism” is used to improve fuel efficiency.
In addition, all 4WD vehicles are equipped with “AWD Integrated Management” that integrates control of driving force, 4WD, brakes, and steering. This optimizes each control according to the driving mode of multi-terrain select, TRAIL mode, and drive mode select, which can be selected according to the road surface and driving conditions. As a result, it achieves excellent handling stability, off-road performance, and comfortable driving performance.
Enhanced connected functions in addition to advanced safe driving support devices
The new RAV4 is also equipped with advanced safety equipment. Pre-collision safety, which detects pedestrians (daytime and nighttime) and cyclists (daytime), assists in collision avoidance and damage mitigation, as well as radar cruise control, which assists in following the preceding vehicle. And when using radar cruise control, “Lane Tracing Assist” that assists the steering of the steering wheel so that it can run in the center of the same lane, “Automatic High Beam” that automatically switches between high and low headlights, and road signs recognized by the camera. The latest preventive safety features include “Road Sign Assist,” which is displayed on the display to encourage the driver to drive safely, and “Leading Vehicle Departure Notification Function,” which notifies the driver if the preceding vehicle has started moving as an additional function. The package “Toyota Safety Sense” is standard equipment on all models.
Of course, the connected function that connects the car and society is also enhanced by installing a dedicated communication device. The RAV4 is equipped with functions suitable for the latest connected cars, such as HELPNET, which arranges an emergency vehicle in case of emergency, and e-Care, which gives appropriate advice when a warning light comes on while driving.
Challenge Forester and X-Trail at a strategic price
The new RAV4 is a 2-liter gasoline car with four grades, including adventure, X, G, and G “Z package”. And the hybrid car consists of 2 grades X and G for a total of 6 grades, and the 2WD (FF car) is set to the entry grade X. Rivals in the same class, such as the Subaru Forester and Nissan X-Trail, appear as powerful rivals.
