The new Toyota RAV4 has some big wheeltracks to fill. Nearly 40,000 RAV4’s have been sold since the original model launch back in 1995.
That’s a 24-year history and four generations of improvements this model has to measure up to, taking into account the contemporary requirements of greater use of space, sharper styling and upgraded and improved powertrains.
Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, the 2019 RAV4 is wider with a higher ride height, and longer wheelbase – now 2,690mm – over the outgoing models.
The new model has an altogether sharper, more chiselled look with the emphasis up front on width and strength with extra volume added to the lower bumper section. V
As to the improved powertrains, for the first time in its 24-year history, the RAV4 offers a 2.5-litre, hybrid-electric, petrol engine alongside the more conventional 2.5-litre petrol engine.
For the three hybrid models coupling a 131kW petrol engine with the hybrid system, thereby boosting total power output to 163kW, Toyota’s engineers developed an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission for the hybrid versions of the RAV4.
The E-Four AWD system uses a dedicated electric motor to power the rear wheels when required.
Once the torque – up to 50 percent – has been sent to the rear wheels, a differential sends the torque to each of the wheels, distributing it in various amounts.
RAV4 for 2019 also includes three front-wheel-drive GX, GXL and Limited grades, powered by a newly-designed 2.0-litre, direct injection petrol engine with 127kW power and 203Nm of torque running through a regular CVT.
The two remaining AWD RAV4’s – the GXL and the Adventure – feature the Dynamic Force, 152kW/243Nm, 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Of these, the Adventure is the range topping model, and is equipped with a Toyota first, a Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system in addition to its larger over-fenders, more aggressive bumper, grille design and fog light surrounds.
While the range topping specification of the Adventure model is appealing, the hybrids offer extra traction to provide considerable functional benefits for Kiwis who like to tow things.
The RAV4 Hybrid AWD, for instance, has a (braked) towing capacity of 1,500kg– one of the highest yet achieved by a hybrid vehicle and identical to the 2.5L petrol models.
Toyota New Zealand’s Toyota Safety Sense suite is found throughout the eight-variant range, which means they all offer all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking including pedestrian detection and daylight bicyclist detection, road sign assist, lane tracing assist and automatic high beam.
Other range standard features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reversing cameras, front and rear parking sensors, and seven airbags as well as trailer sway control.
All models come with Satellite Navigation with SUNA traffic channel as standard on an eight-inch touchscreen, while the Limited and Adventure models also have a seven-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) dashboard, which allows the driver to view torque allocation and slip control.
The AWD petrol models offer a multi-terrain mud, sand, rock and dirt mode setting.
The 2019 RAV4 line-up is:
• RAV4 GX 2.0 Petrol FWD CVT $34,990
• RAV4 GXL 2.0 Petrol FWD CVT $37,990
• RAV4 Limited 2.0 Petrol FWD CVT $44,990
• RAV4 GXL 2.5 Petrol AWD $41,990
• RAV4 Adventure 2.5 Petrol AWD $48,990
• RAV4 GX 2.5 Hybrid AWD ECVT $38,990
• RAV4 GXL 2.5 Hybrid AWD ECVT $42,490
• RAV4 Limited 2.5 Hybrid AWD ECVT $47,990
Toyota Drive-away pricing includes all on road costs; WOF, registration, a full tank of fuel, the Toyota Care Service Advantage package, floor mats, and the three years or 100,000 kms warranty.
