The new Toyota RAV4 is set to finally arrive in US
dealerships next month, with the Hybrid model to follow in late March of 2019.
Toyota has announced all the details of its new SUV, including pricing and fuel
economy figures. The all-new Toyota RAV4 starts from US$ 26,545 (including a Delivery,
Processing, and Handling fee of US$ 1,045) in the base front-drive LE trim.
All-wheel drive is a US$ 1,400 option.
The range of the fifth-generation RAV4 is divided
into five grades for the regular 2.5L gas model (LE, XLE, XLE Premium, the more
rugged Adventure and the luxurious Limited) and four for the 2.5L hybrid HV (LE
HV, XLE HV, XSE HV and Limited HV).
Base LE models come with a generous equipment level
that includes Multi-LED headlights and taillights; low-profile roof rails;
privacy glass on side, quarter and liftgate windows; power windows with
automatic up/down and jam protection on all doors; 4.2-in. Multi-Information
Display (MID); two 12v auxiliary power outlets and more.
The Toyota RAV4 XLE adds 17-inch alloy wheels;
Multi-LED headlights with chrome bezels; fog lights; heated power exterior
mirrors with LED turn signals and blind spot warning; power moonroof; dual-zone
automatic climate control with rear air vents; Smart Key System with remote
keyless entry; four additional USB charging ports, and more.
The XLE Premium grade builds on that by adding
19-inch super-chrome-finish alloy wheels; SofTex-trimmed seats with 8-way power
driver’s seat and 2-way lumbar; power liftgate; leather-trimmed steering wheel
and shift handle with sequential mode.
The more rugged Adventure grade can be distinguished
on the outside by the standard high-rise roof rails, the larger fenders, the
more aggressive bumper design, exclusive 19-inch alloys with matte black
accents shod in 235/55R19 tires, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. It is
available with an Ice Edge-colored roof paired with one of three exterior
colors: Midnight Black Metallic and Blue Flame – both of which are new for
RAV4. Inside, heated and ventilated front seats are available, while seat
finishes come in either black or a grade-exclusive Mocha-colored SofTex.
For those looking the sportiest of the RAV4s, Toyota
will offer the XSE HV Hybrid with a 7.8-second 0-96 km/h. It features a
sport-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and dampers, 18-inch black alloy
wheels, piano-black accents and a standard two-tone exterior paint finish. The
standard black roof is paired with Blizzard Pearl, Silver Sky Metallic,
Magnetic Gray Metallic, or Blueprint (a new color to the palette). The XSE HV’s
exclusive interior comes mono-spec with black SofTex material trim and blue
accents throughout.
As for the luxurious Limited grade, it comes with
front and rear bumpers featuring silver accents, large black fenders, a
metallic gray grille, 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior features heated and
cooled front seats, with the driver’s one being eight-way power adjustable, a
power liftgate, the Entune Premium Audio, and a digital rearview mirror, among
other.
The engine range includes a new, naturally aspirated
2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol unit with 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired
exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Toyota claims a 0-96 km/h in 8.2 seconds and an estimated fuel economy of 27/34/29mpg
(city/highway/combined) for the FWD model. The RAV4 Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter
four-cylinder unit with a 54hp electric motor for a combined 219 hp, returning
an estimated 41/37/39mpg (city/highway/combined).
The new Toyota RAV4’s range includes three different
all-wheel drive systems; base models get a regular on-demand system, with the
Hybrid featuring an electrically powered rear axle. Opt for a Limited or
Adventure model however and you’ll get Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Vectoring
system, which shifts torque not only front to back but also between the rear
wheels for better handling on and off the road.
