Following the North American and European launches,
Toyota has finally made the all-new RAV4 available on its home market. While it sports the same styling
as the rest of the models, the Japan-spec RAV4 does have a few changes, too. Those
are most obvious in the engine department, as it offers two powertrain choices,
each available with optional all-wheel drive.
The base engine is the 2.0-liter Dynamic Force unit
that’s mated to a Direct Shift-CVT. The four-cylinder makes 171 PS at
6,600 rpm and 207 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine can be had
either with standard front- or optional four-wheel drive. The Dynamic Torque
Control 4WD system features torque vectoring that distributes torque to the
left and right rear wheels as well as to the front and rear wheels. It’s also
equipped with a disconnect mechanism that switches to FWD when 4WD is deemed
unnecessary.
The other option is the 2.5-liter hybrid system that
pairs a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine with an electric motor for a combined
218 PS in 2WD configuration and 222 PS in e-Four 4WD guise.
The e-AWD system allows for the torque distribution to the front and rear
wheels to be changed from 100:0 to 20:80 respectively.
Besides choosing one of the two powertrains,
customers also have to pick one of six trim levels: X, G, Z Package, and
Adventure for the gasoline model and Hybrid X or Hybrid G for, well, the
hybrid. All RAV4 trim levels are equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense
package as standard, while Connected Services are available as an option.
Prices range from ¥ 2,608,200 (US$ 23,500)
for the base X model with the 2.0-liter engine, to ¥ 3,817,800 (US$ 34,400)
for the Hybrid G 4WD.
