Toyota announced a series of upgrades for the RAV4 in Europe. The fifth generation of the SUV which was originally introduced in 2018 and received a mild facelift in 2021 now benefits from the addition of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a slightly updated Toyota Safety Sense suite for the 2023 model year. The RAV4 gains the new 10.5-inch high-definition touchscreen that was already introduced in other Toyota models including the Corolla and the Corolla Cross.
The new infotainment comes standard with
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, it gets cloud-based navigation
with live data for the traffic and the availability of parking near your
destination, plus a new onboard voice agent. Optionally, the system can offer
more functions like navigation without a data connection, highway sign
recognition, weather alerts, and low emission zone alerts. Furthermore, Toyota
is offering a four-year over-the-air “Smart Service” package bringing extra
connectivity and remote functions (lock, unlock, climate control, windows,
lights, etc.) using the MyT application.
The RAV4 also gets more in line with the
competition thanks to the addition of a new, larger, and more configurable
digital instrument cluster. The 12.3-inch unit is standard equipment in all
grades besides the entry-level trim that gets a smaller 7-inch version. The
screen has four modes (Casual, Smart, Sport and Tough) and three layouts,
allowing the driver to personalize the appearance of the digital dials
according to their preferences. Setting aside the more modern digital cockpit,
the RAV4 also features a mildly updated Toyota Safety Sense suite. The
Pre-Collision System now has intersection support for safer turns at junctions,
while in the Plug-in Hybrid the system can detect oncoming vehicles in the
SUV’s traffic lane. Also, Toyota added the Emergency Steering Assist which can
avoid pedestrians, with the Plug-in Hybrid featuring extra bicycle and parked
vehicle recognition.
The popular SUV didn’t get any major
styling updates following the mild facelift in September 2021 with updated LED
headlights and new alloy wheels. The only change for the 2023 model year is the
addition of the Platinum White Pearl exterior shade in the entire Plug-in
Hybrid and Hybrid range (except the Adventure trim), alongside the bi-tone
option with a Midnight Black Metallic roof. In terms of powertrains, the range
is carried over including the 2.5-liter Hybrid producing 215 hp in FWD and 219 hp in AWD-i form, plus the more efficient
Plug-in Hybrid with 302 hp and standard all-wheel-drive.
There is no mention of the outgoing ICE-only 2.0-liter petrol variant, with
Toyota focusing on the electrified options.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 will go into
production in the third quarter of 2022. The automaker didn’t announce pricing
for the updated model but we expect it to closely mirror the current Euro
range.
