All change for NZ’s top SUV
Rental upgrade or a really good family SUV? David Linklater drives the new RAV4 and finds out.
Twenty five years and close to 40,000 New Zealand sales later, there’s an allnew Toyota RAV4 on sale. It’s New Zealand’s biggestselling SUV. Related: it’s one of New Zealand’s most popular rental/fleet vehicles. But the fifthgeneration model is tasked with attracting more private buyers through a much more diverse range.
Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?
RAV4 version five is based on the latest Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA), as per Corolla and Camry.
It’s up to 20 millimetres lower than the previous model, but
10mm wider (tracks up by 35mm) and 30mm longer in the wheelbase. More ground clearance too: increased by
15-46mm depending on the model. Speaking of models: a diverse range also means a relatively complex one. It’s easier to work though the lineup by powertrains; bear with us.
There’s an entry-level 2.0-litre FWD with continuously variable transmission (straight from Corolla). You can have that as a GX, GXL or top-line Limited – an acknowledgement that lots of urban SUV buyers don’t want offroad ability but do want luxury equipment.
Then there’s a 2.5-litre powertrain package with eightspeed automatic and AWD, which can be had as a GXL or Limited. This is an all-new engine, although the on-demand AWD is carried over from the previous
RAV4.
New to the RAV4 range is hybrid power, which combines a different 2.5-litre engine (shared with Camry) with battery power and an E-Four AWD system: there’s an electric motor at the front but a second one at the back for drive to the rear axle. There’s a full range of hybrid models: GX, GXL and Limited.
That’s the mainstream lineup, but there’s also a new hero model called Adventure, which has more of an off-roady flavour with unique frontal styling and lurid orange trim details inside.
It’s powered by the non-hybrid 2.5-litre, but has Downhill Assist Control and yet another AWD configuration with torque vectoring at the rear.
The GXL/Limited/Adventure AWD models all have a Multi Terrain Select system that configures the powertrain for different off-tarmac surfaces.
All models get Toyota Safety Sense equipment, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, steering assistance, road sign recognition, automatic high beam and Pre-Collision System. Also included (but not technically TSS stuff) are Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and parking sensors front/rear.
Equipment highlights: the GX has LED lights, reversing camera and 17-inch alloy wheels. The GXL adds 18in wheels, camera guidelines, four USB charge points with Qi wireless phone pad, dual-zone climate control and privacy glass.
The Limited adds 19in wheels, panoramic camera setup, upgraded JBL audio, leather seat accents with heating, upgraded instrumentation, power tailgate, extra chrome and a panoramic glass roof. The Limited hybrid sticks with 18in wheels but they’re painted in gloss black and it drops the glass roof in favour of a smaller sunroof.
Where did you drive it?
From Toyota NZ’s Manawatu¯ headquarters north to the Desert Road and ultimately across to National Park, traversing a few farm tracks on the way.
The 2.0-litre model was a surprise delight on the open road. Plenty of power from the Corolla engine, and while it’s CVT (sigh) it’s a decent one, with a directdrive function from a standing start that makes it feel more like an actual gearbox.
All of the TNGA stuff is dynamically good. The RAV4 2.0-litre benefits from that platform engineering but also lighter weight: it’s up to 115kg lighter than the petrol 2.5 and is as much as 200kg down on the heaviest hybrid.
The benefit of the 2.5-litre petrol models is sheer performance (more than 2sec quicker to 100kmh), a proper eight-speed gearbox – and of course AWD with Multi Terrain Select (Eco, Normal, Sport, Mud/ Sand, Rock/Dirt and Snow).
The hybrids were the least impressive on the open road – heavier and hampered by e-CVT, despite the clever E-Four
drivetrain. But then the open road is not the hybrid’s natural habitat.
And it’s the hybrid that Toyota NZ is pinning its hopes on in terms of broadening the RAV4’s appeal.
TNZ general manager of product and new vehicle sales Neeraj Lala says the brand is ‘‘pulling back quite dramatically’’ from the rental business with RAV4, both from a desire to increase private-buyer sales but also because there are changes looming in that arena, including more second-tier rental operators and car sharing.
That’s a major change in attitude when you consider that of the 5000-odd RAV4s sold in 2018, nearly 3000 were rentals.
‘‘Retail share is our big focus this year,’’ says Lala. ‘‘Hybrid through private and small fleets will be the biggest chunk [of RAV4 sales].’’
What’s the pick of the range?
Seems predictable to pick the most expensive, but the Adventure has by far the most appealing combination of characterful SUV styling, engaging powertrain and AWD technology.
If you’re thinking hybrid, the Limited looks pretty good.
The petrol-electric powertrain offers a more luxurious ambience than the vocal petrol-only option and the hybrid Limited model is nicely differentiated from the petrol equivalent by gloss-black alloys.
In any specification, the hybrid retains the same 542-litre luggage space as the petrol versions (the batteries are under the back seat) and the same towing capacity – modest though it may be at 1500kg.
Why would I buy it?
RAV4 is properly new and has a stronger visual and dynamic character than before. The hybrid engine option is unique is this segment.
Why wouldn’t I buy it?
Because you’re confused by the multiple specification, engine and drive-system choices. Or because RAV4 still means ‘‘rental’’ to so many people.