Toyota seeks to blend passion, logic in RAV4
The compact SUV — or crossover — market is as hotly contested as the compact car class, and for good reason.
These two categories of vehicles represent over 50 per cent of all passenger vehicle sales in Canada. Toyota has a formidable one-two punch with the Corolla compact sedan and the RAV4 compact SUV. In fact, Toyota was a pioneer in developing the entire crossover category back in the early 1990s with the original RAV4.
For 2013, Toyota is trying to move the RAV4 from a logical purchase based on reliability, value and practicality to include a bit of passion in the purchase decision.
The Canadian media launch was held at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada assembly plant in Woodstock, Ont. The idea was to showcase the state-ofthe-art facility and highlight the award-winning quality of the factory and the RAV4.
Toyota has dropped the optional V-6 engine found in the previous model, as most people purchased the older RAV4 with the four-cylinder anyway. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder has been carried over and it produces 176 horsepower. The biggest change is a new six-speed automatic with a torque-vectoring system in the all-wheel-driveequipped models. Using a tried-and-true motor but adding more gears really does help with all driving situations. It also improves fuel economy. As well, there are two new driving modes (sport and eco) that can be selected for either sportier or thriftier shifting.
The RAV4 is a pleasure in the city and passes well on the highway, and improvements to sound insulation also make the ride more enjoyable. The dynamic torque control sends 10 per cent of the torque to the rear wheels when pulling away from a light, but only in the sport setting. In regular driving modes 100 per cent of torque is sent to the front wheels, but 50 per cent can shift to the back wheels when slippage is detected.
But much of any car-buying decision is based purely on looks — call it shallow, but something that does not appeal to the eye will often get overlooked, no matter how good the inner beauty is. The 2013 RAV4 is hands down the best-looking version to date, with a flowing front grille and headlights, sharper accent lines and some practical improvements that bring this Toyota CUV up to date with the competition.
Gone is the rear-mounted spare tire and swing-out rear door. This new RAV4 has finally been fitted with a proper liftgate, with the spare tire mounted under the cargo floor. Thank you, Toyota. The top Limited model even has the optional power liftgate. This sleeker shape, plus under-car panels and other aerodynamic tricks help with stability, reduce drag and aid in reducing fuel consumption.
One exterior item that could be updated is the inclusion of steel wheels and hubcaps on the base model. All other models are fitted with either 17-or 18-inch wheels.
With a starting price of $23,790, this base model is just over $1,000 cheaper than last year’s vehicle but is now fitted with a more elegant interior design accented with soft-touch materials and improved driving position. Toyota may have sharpened its pencil on the price of the RAV4, but it hiked up refinement for 2013.
Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio and USB connection for the radio is included as standard equipment on the base model. The front dash panel’s sweeping shape protrudes into the cabin to bring the radio and heat controls closer to the driver. This works well, but the buttons below this panel are sometimes hidden from view.
Also, the touchscreen radio screen (XLE and Limited models) can sometimes produce glare, and the optional navigation system’s graphics are simple.
The $27,000 XLE trim adds heated seats, moon roof, automatic climate control and more. The top Limited trim ($31,700) includes the power liftgate, push-button start, upgraded seats and the option to equip the RAV4 with navigation and JBL stereo.
The RAV4 is the secondbest-selling Toyota and is positioned for better sales. The styling has been dramatically improved along with a quieter ride, more gears and improved handling. The ability to visit their manufacturing centre in Woodstock, with a short stint on their test track, shows that Toyota is open-minded and serious about quality. The improvements to this new RAV4 make it the best one to date, but the competition isn’t sitting still.
The interior is a step forward but more attention to button placement and glare on the radio readout are basic items that potential buyers should make note of. The rear liftgate now brings the RAV4 in line with the competition, but it is the improved starting price that will get the most attention. Canadians go to Toyota and invest their money in a new product knowing it will deliver. This new RAV4 builds on that relationship.