Toyota’s RAV4 is North America’s top-selling vehicle that isn’t a pickup
New platform for success CARMEL, California — The RAV4 is not only the best-selling Toyota vehicle in Canada and the US, it’s also North America’s best-selling vehicle that’s not a pickup truck. Now, the new fifth-generation RAV4 will be in dealerships in December 2018, and it’s built on an all-new platform with all-new drivetrains. Here are 18 things to look forward to. ▲
Next generation platform The platform is the Toyota New Global Architecture, which is now the basis for every new design of Toyota. That includes the 12th generation of the Corolla that will arrive early in 2019, and the Prius that’s already on the road. It’s a much stiffer and quieter platform, which the Japanese maker says adds excitement to the driving dynamics of its new vehicles. ▲
Competitive pricing There will be three distinct versions of the new RAV4, each sold in different levels of trim: a regular edition that’s available in either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, an off-road edition, and a sporty edition, which uses a hybrid engine to add power while still saving fuel. They start at $27,990, and it rises through seven different trims and configurations to top out at $40,690. There’s no official price yet for the hybrid, which won’t be available until March 2019, but Toyota says its starting price will be “significantly” less than the $34,790 of the least-expensive 2018 hybrid. ▲
Larger and lower All versions of the new RAV have different dimensions from the fourth generation, with a wheelbase that’s 30 mm longer than before (which is mostly noticed in the rear passenger legroom) and a total width that’s 10 mm wider than before. Front and rear overhangs are shorter, and the tracking width of the wheels is wider. Ground clearance is boosted by 15 mm, but the overall height is slightly less, and the centre of gravity is a little lower. The heavy gas tank is now in the middle of the chassis, not to one side as it is with the current generation. ▲
Better visibility The windows are dropped a little lower than before for a lower beltline, which helps improve outside visibility. The mirrors are pulled back as well, which helps the driver see better what’s happening outside. ▲
New engine The “regular” RAV4 has a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine (shared with the 2018 Camry) that’s good for 203 hp, combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s powerful enough to tow up to 1,587 kg (up from the 680 kg of the 2018 models) but it’s not an especially exciting drive. Toyota says it will accelerate from zero-to-100 km/h in less than 8.5 seconds. It’s very smooth, though, and gearshifts are seamless. If you’re happy with the drive of the fourth generation RAV4, you’ll be quite content with the feel of the new edition. ▲
Hybrid power The sporty RAV4 is the hybrid, which combines the 2.5L engine with an electric motor to drive the rear wheels, and which creates up to 219 hp. It feels noticeably more powerful, with a sport-tuned suspension and acceleration rated at less than 8 seconds for zero-to-100 km/h, but it also uses much less gas in equivalent driving. Canadian fuel consumption figures aren’t yet available, but Toyota estimates a combined-driving consumption of 6.0 L/100 km for the hybrid compared to 8.1 L/100 km for the top-of-the-line Limited gas model. ▲
Built in Canada Toyota Canada currently sells about 15% of its RAV4s as hybrids, and the plan is to double that to 30% for the fifth generation. Toyota wants to improve the overall level of exhaust emissions and fuel consumption for all the vehicles it sells, which is why it’s promoting the hybrids in this way. It’ll be good for Canadian jobs, too: all the RAV4s sold in Canada and the US are built in the company’s Ontario plant, except for the current hybrids that are made in Japan, but their assembly will be moved to Canada for the new generation. ▲
Best seller That’s a lot of RAV4s – about 600,000 in the U.S. and Canada last year, which is roughly half of all sales around the world. In Canada alone, more than 50,000 RAV4s will be sold this year. But while the fifth generation will be available in December, the new hybrid editions won’t come on sale until spring 2019. ▲
Off-road edition For the new RAV4, there’s also an off-road “Trail” edition, called the “Adventure” in the US, that is a little more rugged. It comes with the gasoline powertrain and 19-inch wheels – larger than the standard 17-inch and optional 18-inch wheels of the other editions. It has a distinct front grille and additional drive modes to help it in slippery conditions. We drove it off-road on a sandy hillside that mimicked a very rough and steep cottage road and the Trail had no problems, though it’s not competition for true off-roaders like Jeeps and Land Rovers. ▲
Torque-vectoring The Trail and top-of-the-line Limited editions feature torque-vectoring technology – a first for the RAV4 – that can transfer power between the front and back axles, and between the left and right rear wheels as needed. It did seem to help with cornering, though such a system is really only noticeable on a slippery road, or while cornering at speed. ▲
Comfortable cabin Inside, all RAV4s are very comfortable, with either fabric or imitation leather seats that are all heated in the front as standard. A central touchscreen controls most of the important functions, though there are still physical dials for the climate control and knobs for the radio. ▲
Driver’s assistance All trim levels come with the very latest in Toyota’s driving assistance technology, called Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This includes active cruise control (which will follow the speed of the vehicle in front, and even slow the RAV to a complete stop, if necessary), and “lane tracing” to detect the centre of the lane and keep the RAV in place. This kind of technology was only available in considerably more expensive vehicles just a few years ago, but now it’s available in even the base level Corolla. ▲
Digital hindsight One clever new feature is the digital rear-view mirror, first seen in Cadillacs a couple of years ago, which transforms the conventional rear-view mirror into a screen from a camera mounted on the back liftgate. It gives a wider view of everything behind the car, without being affected by people or luggage in the back blocking the sightline. It can be useful but takes some getting used to, especially since your eyes are used to not changing focus when looking into the mirror, but must now do so when looking at the screen. ▲
Sound of music All RAV4s are also fully connected, using Entune 3.0 multimedia to control the many possible audio sources. It includes Apple CarPlay, for using your iPhone while driving, but does not include Android Auto – Toyota says it’s not yet properly worked out privacy concerns for android use, though the technology is expected soon. The sound system is impressive, but there’s also an optional 800-Watt JBL system with 11 speakers, for those who value the sound of their music. ▲
Quieter ride The entire ride is quieter than before, thanks to a greater use of more effective soundproofing, as well as the design of the TNGA platform that protects the cabin from the sound of the drivetrain and the road. The floor silencer pad used to be made from several pieces of muffling material but is not just one large piece, and it covers 92% of the chassis’ surface area instead of the 60% of before. ▲
More cargo In the very back, the cargo area is now 65 mm longer than before, and the side surfaces are reshaped to allow a little more room. The floor above the spare wheel can be set to two different levels and is reversible, to allow for either clean or dirty items. A power liftgate is standard in the most expensive trim, with a hands-free liftgate available as an option. ▲
Colourful SUV In total, there are 12 different configurations available for the new Toyota RAV4, depending what trim level you want, and whether you want FWD or AWD. There are also some new exterior paint colours, including this coming year’s Voodoo Blue, and available 2-tone roofs. ▲
Staying fresh It’s a risky business to redesign a best-selling vehicle and Toyota is not a company that likes risk, but the new RAV4 is a fairly safe bet. It’s a little better right across the board, and keeps everything fresh and up-to-date in this most popular vehicle segment. ▲
Keyword: FIRST DRIVE: 18 new things in 2019 Toyota RAV4