RAV REVIEW T
Toyota’s much-loved RAV4 reveals its makeover
OYOTA’S number one best-seller, the RAV4, is making its fifth-generation debut at the New York International Auto Show, offering models with distinct personalities. When it becomes available at the end of the year (hybrids arrive in early 2019), you’ll be able to pick a RAV that’s either a tough-off roader, an urban premium compact SUV with 19-inch alloy wheels, or a sporty hybrid.
The new car is lower and wider, with bolder styling and better ground clearance for off-road driving. Five models will have the 2.5 VVT-iE gasoline engine with an 8-speed Direct Shift Transmission, and four will use the 2.5 Toyota Hybrid System II.
A sporty new addition to the range, the HSE Hybrid XSE has two-tone paint with piano black detailing and projector-beam LED headlights, and sport-tuned suspension sharpens up its handling.
The RAV4 Adventure grade has a rugged exterior with a more aggressive grille, standard high-rise roof rails and large over-fenders. Its off-road ability is boosted by standard Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Rear Driveline Disconnect. In industry speak ‘vectoring’ means “managing,” and that is standard on All-Wheel Drive-equipped Limited gas and Adventure grade models, Toyota’s system distributes the pulling power of the engine to the wheels best able to make use of it, so enabling the driver to steer the vehicle as intended. Or it disconnects drive to the rear wheels, if four-wheel drive is not needed (for example, on the highway) to save fuel. A feature called Multi-Terrain Select also helps drivers to maximize grip when driving through snow, mud, sand or rocks.
The RAV4 Hybrid also offers excellent off-road capability. The premium Limited model steps out in 19-inch wheels and a moon roof, with a 7-inch multi-information display and a rear-view camera to assist the driver.
Every RAV4 is equipped with Entune 3.0 multimedia including Wi-Fi Connect powered by Verizon, handsfree access to Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
Toyota is also revealing the 2019 Corolla at the New York Auto Show.