RAV4 [Official] 2014 Toyota RAV4

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[Tumbo]

Let me just express myself:

 

[ateekt]

One of the most successful & reliable vehicles out there. Regardless of odd looks, it will be a hit & sell like hot cakes.

 

[Giannis]

I only have one problem with recent big Toyotas. They all feel cheap. I mean, for the money that the base RAV-4 will cost here, you can get a 316i or 318i. The performance will be the same (as in power output), but the 316 feels a lot more better built, you get a sense that everything around you was carefully chosen and everything feels good. And then you get inside a new Toyota, and you are looking around, wondering why this car costs that much.

I am not saying it is a bad car or looks bad. I am only talking about the feeling you get!

 

[mini_cooper4]

Are they going to change design every two years now ?
Seems like they are not confident at all with what they are doing today... for the average Joe
Resale value ?

 

[martinbo]

Is it just me or are the rakish exterior styling and utility-style interior at odds with each other?

 

[Centurion]

I miss the old RAV4 designs. They were more distinctive. The new one looks ready to be rebadged as a Lexus.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Toyota reaching new levels of uglyness. The front is quite ugly but the interior, what a mess! Just check the door trim/design which not aligns with anything on the dash.......

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[Merc1]

Yeah this is really ugly the more I look at it, and that interior is a straight PLAYSCHOOL.

M

 

[martinbo]

I... Erm... Quite like it all of a sardine.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

ALL-NEW 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

• All-New Bold, Athletic Design
• Six-speed automatic with Sequential Shift and Sport and Eco Modes
• Class-leading cargo capacity; class-leading eight standard airbags
• Available All-wheel drive with Dynamic Torque Control
• Available Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 28, 2012) –The all-new 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV made its world debut today at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. Toyota's fourth-generation
RAV4, the world's original crossover sport utility vehicle, arrives early next year. With a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, new six-speed transmission, two-row seating for five, and a host of available in-cabin technologies, RAV4 offers a nuanced balance of performance and all-around capability, including class-leading cargo capacity, striking design, class-leading eight standard airbags, and a compelling array of standard features. RAV4 will be available in three well-equipped grades: LE, XLE, and Limited.

Performance, Handling, and Efficiency

For 2013, RAV4 will provide a number of powertrain technologies that help deliver an engaging driving experience. It will feature Toyota's 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which will produce 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 ft. lbs. of torque at 4,100 rpm. The optional V6 of the previous-generation RAV4 will be discontinued.

Replacing the previous four-speed automatic will be a six-speed transmission with Sequential Shift. First and second gear ratios will be optimized for around-town performance. To keep engine revs lower at highway speeds and enhance fuel mileage, fifth and sixth gears will be overdrives.

RAV4 front-wheel-drive models have received EPA- estimated fuel efficiency ratings of
24 mpg city/31 highway, while all-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway. A new Eco mode is designed to promote more efficient driving thus helping to
enhance fuel efficiency.

The new RAV4 will provide its active owners a more dynamic drive, with new
technologies like a Sport Mode, enhancements in suspension performance, and optimized
electric power steering. The spring rates have been enhanced, and the shock absorbers have
been optimally tuned to help the vehicles handling characteristics.

RAV4 has a MacPherson strut front suspension, double-wishbone rear suspension and
four-wheel disc brakes. The LE will ride on 17-inch steel wheels, XLE will feature 17-inch
alloys, and Limited will be equipped with 18-inch alloys.

In both front- and all-wheel drive RAV4's, driver-selectable Sport Mode sharpens
transmission shift timing and action, and throttle response. Calibration of the Electric Power
Steering assist is also modified in Sport Mode, providing a firmer feel and sharper response to
input. When down shifting the RAV4 six-speed automatic transmission in "S" Mode, engine revs rise with a clearly audible "blip," adding to the driving experience.

A Toyota first, 2013 RAV4's with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) will have Dynamic Torque
Control, a system that automatically shifts from front-wheel drive (FWD) to AWD when
accelerating or when sensors detect wheel slippage.

Dynamic Torque Control has three different drive modes: Auto, Lock and Sport. In Auto
Mode, RAV4 delivers power primarily to the front wheels under most driving conditions,
switching automatically to AWD only when needed. By only engaging the rear axle and
delivering power to the rear wheels when needed, Auto Mode helps enhance fuel efficiency and reduce drivetrain wear.

In Lock Mode at lower speeds, RAV4 essentially has a full-time AWD system with power
delivered to all four wheels. At speeds below approximately 25 mph in Lock Mode, up to 50
percent of engine power is sent to the rear wheels, enhancing traction and helping RAV4 "dig" through sandy or muddy conditions. Lock Mode reverts to Auto Mode when vehicle speed passes approximately 25 mph.

As on the front-drive RAV4's, Sport Mode sharpens shift timing, throttle response, and
steering response. In RAV4 with AWD, Sport Mode has additional benefits. It can provide
smooth and nearly instantaneous torque transfers between the front and rear wheels to help
enhance cornering performance. Under certain conditions, Sport Mode can automatically
deliver up to 50 percent of engine power to the rear wheels.

In Sport Mode, the AWD system also can apportion power based on input from the
steering angle and yaw rate sensors of the Vehicle Stability Control system. When turning into and through a corner, power is sent to the rear wheels to maximize traction available at each of the four corners of the vehicle. Under braking in a straight line in Sport Mode, power delivery to the rear wheels can be momentarily suspended to best leverage the benefits of ABS and VSC.

Exterior Design & Body Structure

The new RAV4's design achieves strong proportions while conveying the agile and fun
character. Sophisticated and dynamic, the exterior features a progressive silhouette, with a
sleek-sloping roofline and an aggressive character line. The new RAV4's interior has a
premium, sophisticated look with soft-touch accents and driver-centric controls.

RAV4 pursues the design goals defined by Toyota President Akio Toyoda, with aggressively sculpted front and rear fenders and boldly proportioned taillights that define RAV4's athletic presence.

In a significant break with its heritage, RAV4 will switch from its side-hinged rear door to
a convenient roof-hinged liftgate with a space-saver spare tire will be stored under the cargo
floor. Standard on the Limited grade will be a one-touch power rear liftgate with driver selectable memory height settings.

As on other recently introduced Toyotas, RAV4 engineers paid special attention to aerodynamics, the most obvious detail being small vortex generators molded into the taillight
cases and near the base of the A-pillars. Less obvious are the aerodynamic undertrays
beneath the passenger cabin that help smooth and control airflow.

Following body-engineering principles debuted in the 2012 Camry and 2013 Avalon,
RAV4's body structure will include high-strength steel to help achieve several significant goals, including a robust and stiff platform that enhances steering and handling precision, and a body structure that is both strong and light. RAV4 engineers used several grades of high-strength steel to form key structural components in the roof, rocker sills, floor, engine compartment and door frames. The weight savings were in part invested in sound deadening materials and an acoustic windshield, helping to create a quiet passenger cabin.

Interior Design & Packaging

The new RAV4's dash panel is driver-centric and asymmetrical, with primary and
secondary controls all within easy reach. On the passenger side, the sculpted dash panel
creates a sense of airy spaciousness.

RAV4's dash panel and gauges all feature Clear Blue illumination, which provides crisp
visibility in most ambient light conditions, and a unified, coherent appearance at night.
RAV4 will come standard with a manual tilt/telescope steering column, with the LE and
XLE featuring a urethane steering wheel. The Limited grade will have a leather-wrapped
steering wheel. All RAV4 steering wheels will have controls for audio, Bluetooth® hands-free
phone and audio, and the Multi-Information Display (MID).

All RAV4's will have driver and front passenger seats with high seatbacks and a slim
back, enhancing rear-passenger knee room. The RAV4 LE driver's seat is six-way adjustable,
including seat height.

The RAV4 XLE driver and front passenger will ride in premium bucket seats with sport
bolstering, providing ample support of the lower hips, lower torso and shoulders during
cornering. The XLE will have premium fabric with French stitching on the seats and portions of the dash panels.

The Limited will have the same premium driver and front-passenger bucket seats found
in the XLE but will also come equipped with an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with
memory, plus heaters in the front seat bottoms and seatbacks with two temperature settings
and driver power lumbar. All RAV4 Limited seats are trimmed in high-quality, breathable
SofTex with French stitching. SofTex also covers the center armrest, and portions of the door
and dash panels.

All RAV4's will feature 60/40 split/fold second-row seats that recline several degrees to
enhance passenger comfort.

In contrast to 2013 RAV4's compact exterior dimensions, the cargo area is deeper,
larger and easier to access than in the previous generation, with just over 38.4 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. With rear seats folded, RAV4 class-leading maximum cargo
capacity of 73.4 cu. ft.

Privacy glass, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), cruise control, power side mirrors, power
door locks and power windows are standard on all RAV4s. RAV4 XLE and Limited feature dualzone automatic climate control, integrated fog lights, power moonroof with sliding sunshade, and heated outside mirror with turn signal indicators.

In-Cabin Technology, Audio

Standard on all RAV4 models is a Display Audio with a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. Significant for this market, RAV4's Display Audio includes a standard backup camera and
Bluetooth connectivity. When shifted into reverse, the audio display will show the image of what the backup camera captures. The image will include an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking space and approximate distance to obstacles.

XLE and Limited will offer an available GPS Navigation and Entune™ multimedia system
with satellite radio and advanced voice recognition. The Limited grade will also offer an
available JBL® GreenEdge™ Premium Audio with 576-Watts of maximum power, 11 speakers, and GPS Navigation and Entune.

The Limited grade will offer an available Blind Spot Monitor system (BSM) that operates
when RAV4 is traveling at approximately 25 mph or above. It can be turned off with a
dashboard switch. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver
with a blinking light indicator in the side mirrors. If the turn signal is on when there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the driver's intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will warn the driver with a solid light.

The available Blind Spot Monitor incorporates Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which
uses the Blind Spot Monitor radar sensors at the lower rear bodywork of the vehicle. The RCTA works at speeds between 0 and 15 mph and activates when the vehicle is in Reverse. When backing up, the RCTA senses vehicles approaching from either direction and provides an audible warning combined with a flashing indicator in the appropriate outside mirror.

Safety

All 2013 RAV4s will have a class-leading eight standard airbags. Like every Toyota,
RAV4 will feature the Star Safety System, which includes Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, an Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology.

- http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/2013-toyota-rav4-la-2012/#continued

 

[HighestOfHigh]

These are Japanese terms we heard quoted by Toyota representatives when describing its 2013 RAV4. Apparently the first one means "go and see for yourself" and the second means "heart pumping, adrenaline racing."

Nice expressions, but not exactly the ones we'd choose. So we'll introduce one of our own: "Same same but different."

The latest version of Toyota's compact crossover follows the same basic outline of models past. As ever, its on-road ride and handling are competent but not sporty, the powertrain is smooth and efficient and the price is reasonable. It's a tried-and-true formula, but over the last few years, new competitors like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape have stolen the thunder of Toyota's original cute ute, leading the automaker to refine the mix of ingredients that go into the RAV4 in an effort to take back the compact crossover crown. Read on to see what's new.


Let's talk style. As in, this Toyota has some. Much has been made of Akio Toyoda's corporate mandate that the automaker make no more boring cars, and the last few releases (most recently the redesigned Avalon) from the Japanese automaker have indeed offered more style and substance than in the last several decades. The new RAV4 is no different.

Up front, Toyota has adopted a split upper grille with attractive chrome accents that artfully extend into the headlight clusters. There are sharp creases along either side of the front fascia that, along with large fog lamps and sweeping bumper protrusion, form a distinctive face. The body sides also feature plenty of metal sculpting, and somewhat surprisingly, even though there are swage lines flowing in several different directions – downward-sloping through the roofline, upward along the window line and the lower doors and flatly horizontal through the tops of the doors – the overall look is cohesive.


That stylish togetherness ends at the rear, however, with funky shelf-shaped taillamps that protrude from the body and an oversize spoiler above the rear window. One other noteworthy change for 2013: A regular liftgate is present instead of the swinging tailgate, a design made possible by the inclusion of an internal space-saver spare instead of the exterior-mounted units of all RAV4s past.

Adding that liftgate has allowed Toyota to offer optional power assist on Limited models, featuring a memory system that allows the owner to limit the height of the gate's upward swing – useful when parking in garages where vertical space is at a premium. And unlike systems offered by other automakers, it doesn't just default to fully open and three-quarter height positions. See the video demonstrated in our Short Cut video below.

Moving the party inside, the biggest change to the 2013 Toyota RAV4 is the deletion of the optional third row. We asked Toyota about the switch from seven passengers to five and were told that having a third row in the compact RAV4 wasn't a priority. For the most part, we agree, as the way-back in the RAV4 was pretty tiny and uncomfortable for normal-size adults. In any case, there are plenty of three-row crossovers on the market, including Toyota's own Highlander, catering to those who need more room than the compact ute has to offer.

The five remaining seats can be covered in two fabric types or a synthetic leather substitute that Toyota calls Softex. After sampling all options, we definitely prefer the cloth – we find it hard to believe anyone will be fooled by the imitation leather. Sadly, opting for Limited trim necessitates the Softex interior treatment.

Toyota wanted to "add to the RAV4's sportiness" by making a "driver-centric seating area." We're not so sure it was successful – though all the switchgear, LCD screens and driver touch points are within easy reach, there doesn't seem to be any specific sportiness to the overall look and feel of the cockpit. What the interior can be, though, is bold. Toyota has gone with a so-called color block concept inside the RAV4, with large swaths of contrasting materials that can be had in a somewhat jarring Terra Cotta finish on Limited models. It's more mundane in black, gray and beige, but still effective at breaking up the monotony.


Materials are of average quality for this class, though there are a bunch of colors and finishes that don't really match, such as the plastic surrounding the center stack being a different metallic bronze shade than the horizontal trim running atop the dash. We also don't like the criss-cross plastic pattern used around the shifter and on the door panels front and rear. It's so hard we could file our fingernails on it.

There's a bit more room inside the 2013 RAV4 for the driver than last year. Toyota has added an extra 0.8 inches of travel at the back of the seat rail, along with an additional 0.6-inch of height adjustment that allows the driver to sit lower in the car. Add those important adjustments to the taller seatback and longer seat cushion and the end result is a comfy pair of seats.

Considering the deletion of the third row, it's somewhat incongruous that rear-seat passengers have 1.1 fewer inches of legroom (37.2 inches) and 3.5 fewer inches of hip room (48.9) than the outgoing model. We assume moving the space-saver spare tire from the outside of the tailgate to a space under the cargo floor has something to do with this otherwise unexplainable reduction of interior space. In any case, we were still able to fit two occupants comfortably in the back seat even with the front chairs in adult-size positions, but not a third.

Standing outside the 2013 RAV4, it's clear that Toyota has brought its compact crossover closer to the ground. A look at the spec sheet reveals an overall height of 65.4 inches, a reduction of about an inch from 2012. Ground clearance has fallen from 7.5 inches to a sedan-like 6.3 inches, which is probably fine since the RAV4 isn't really intended to travel very far off the beaten path. Inside, headroom is down an inch (without the moonroof) with 39.8 inches available. Adding the moonroof subtracts about an inch of headroom.



We also can't explain why the 2013 RAV4 weighs more than its predecessor. At 3,435 pounds with front-wheel drive, the 2013 model weighs 75 pounds more than the 2012. A loaded-up Limited model with all-wheel drive tips the scales at 3,610 pounds.

There's one good bit of interior usefulness to report: Cargo volume is up to 73.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, which is a best-in-class figure, and there's a reasonable 38.4 cu-ft available behind the rear seat.

As far as technology goes, Toyota has seen fit to offer its touchscreen Display Audio system as standard equipment, along with a backup camera integrated into its 6.1-inch display. That means all 2013 RAV4s will have an auxiliary jack, a USB port, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth. Navigation and Entune are optionally available on XLE and Limited trim levels, and a JBL sound system with 11 GreenEdge speakers can be had on the Limited. It's a fine audio system that offers plenty of volume, which is good, since there isn't going to be a beautiful soundtrack from the engine.

Stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and smart stop technology, each with its appropriate acronym, make up Toyota's Star Safety System, which comes standard on the 2013 RAV4. Optional on Limited models is a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. When so equipped, the driver will be warned of oncoming vehicles when the RAV4 is in reverse. Irritatingly, desirable bits and pieces like sun visor extensions (seriously, why are these not standard?), a smart key, heated seats and the aforementioned power liftgate come only with the Limited model, which also means accepting the fake leather Softex upholstery.


LE models come equipped with 17-inch five-spoke steel wheels with "alloy-like wide vent" wheel covers which do a surprisingly convincing job of looking like alloys at a distance. XLE and Limited models are equipped with alloy wheels in 17-inch and 18-inch sizes, respectively.

Under the hood, buyers will find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine offering up 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. This engine carries over from 2012 with only a few updates designed to improve efficiency, but the big news is a move out of Ye Olden Days in the transmission department. A six-speed automatic has finally replaced the old four-speed unit. Hooray! With two extra gears comes improved fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon city, 31 highway and 26 combined with front-wheel drive or 22/29/25 with all-wheel drive, increases of one to three miles per gallon across the board. What's more, the 0-60 run now takes 8.9 seconds, a drop of well over a second from the 2012 model with the same engine, and there's much better spacing between gears on mid-speed roads.

Toyota's six-speed automatic gearbox also includes AI-SHIFT control, which attempts to deliver the kind of shift feel that the driver and road conditions dictate, and a Sport mode with Dynamic Rev Management that allows smoother and quicker shifting when activated. There's also an ECO mode that kills driver involvement at roughly the same rate as it improves fuel efficiency. We engaged it, then immediately turned it off it.


The 2013 RAV4's all-wheel-drive system is more sophisticated than before, with a computer-controlled electromagnetic coupling transferring power front to rear as required. Up to 50 percent of the engine's torque can be sent to the rear wheels, and the system can be locked at speeds under 25 miles per hour. When set to Sport mode, RAV4 models with all-wheel drive now feature all kinds of computer trickery to help reduce understeer.

Adding all-wheel drive to any RAV4 model will likewise add $1,400 to the sticker price. Base LE models begin at $23,300, while mid-grade XLE trim models start at $24,290. Opting for the top-level Limited brings with it a window sticker of $27,010. Toyota expects the XLE to make up 40 percent of RAV4 sales, with the other 60 percent divided equally between LE and Limited trims. A heart-of-the-market, all-wheel-drive XLE with navigation and Entune will cost $26,720. If Toyota's calculations prove correct, about two-thirds of the 200,000 RAV4s it hopes to sell in 2013 will be equipped with all-wheel drive. That sales goal, by the way, would represent an increase of about 30,000 units over the sales peak in 2007 that was nearly matched in 2010 before dropping to 132,000 in 2011. Ambitious plans, it seems.

On the road, we could definitely feel the high-tech AWD drivetrain helping out when the road turned twisty, actively rotating the rear of the vehicle through the corner. Enthusiast drivers take note: we suggest you test drive the all-wheel-drive RAV4 even if you don't expect to drive in adverse weather conditions, and don't forget to select Sport mode.


The RAV4's suspension has received plenty of tuning adjustments, but it's still geared toward smooth running in lieu of sporty handling and road feel. Similarly, the electronic power steering delivers reasonable response and effort for a compact crossover, but don't expect to feel much feedback from the road. Fortunately, big impacts are very well damped by the moving bits below, and we'd describe overall handling as pleasantly predictable.

Four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated up front) are standard, though we find it a bit odd that the LE model is fitted with smaller (10.8-inch diameter, .98-inch thickness) units than XLE and Limited models (11.7-inch and 1.1-inch). Rear brakes are the same all around, measuring 11.1 inches in diameter and .472 inches in thickness. Regardless of size disparities, we found the brakes perfectly adequate during our drive.

In fact, the descriptors "pleasantly predictable" and "perfectly adequate" pretty much sum up our opinion of the 2013 RAV4. Thing is, the same could be said of the 2012 RAV4 as well. We appreciate the updates Toyota has made to keep the compact crossover competitive, and we don't really mind the deletion of the V6 engine option and the seriously cramped third row of the past. Whether or not Toyota's comprehensive refresh of the 2013 RAV4 is enough to put it atop the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape is another matter entirely.
- http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/2013-toyota-rav4-first-drive-review/

 

[EnI]

Style line: Style > little style > less style > no style > Toyota.

 

[Human]

Too Korean for japanese taste!? cabin quality improved but layout a disaster.

 

[deity]

This car wished it looked Korean.. LOL

 

[Merc1]

Too Korean for japanese taste!? cabin quality improved but layout a disaster.

Man, those are my thoughts exactly. It scream Hyundai or Kia outside. Spot on man.


M

 

[K-A]

"What you think I Rap for, to push a f@*k!n' Rav4"????

-Kanye West.