On Monday it was "just" leaked pictures, today it's a complete press release. Who is it about? After all, about the new Toyota RAV4 , which will have its world premiere these days at the exhibition center in LA !
The design of the model is very distinctive compared to its predecessor. That one is the conservative approach of the outgoing generation. Somewhat boring shapes will be replaced by more sporty and dynamic, but also more controversial, shapes. These have their origins in the global Auris hatchback and the American Camry sedan . The front part, which offers a new grille and headlights, definitely looks interesting. The large plastic that protects the front bumper acts as an interesting accessory. In the rear, the headlights, which have their distant origins in the Auris hatchback, will certainly attract attention. However, it works much better on a massive SUV than on a smaller hatchback.
The interior also does not deny its design origins with the Auris. After all, the breaths of ventilation are identical. Otherwise, however, the interior is more different than it seems at first glance. The dominant is the massive center console, which is then dominated by the multimedia system (in lower versions we will probably find a radio here). For me, as a fan of analog alarm clocks, it is gratifying that "RAVka" has not succumbed to digitization.
RAV4 has grown in terms of space and dimensions . Length 4569 mm, width 1844 mm and height 1661 mm mean lengthening, widening, but also a reduction compared to the outgoing generation. The wheelbase of 2659 mm provides more space for passengers in the back. By the way, they can only be 3. A practical change is opening the trunk lid upwards, not to the side, as is the case with the outgoing generation. When opened, 547 liters of luggage space await you.
Under the hood of the new RAV4, only one engine will appear in the US – a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 176 horsepower and 233 Nm of torque. The partner to the new four-cylinder, which replaced the popular six-cylinder, is a 6-speed automatic transmission and front or all-wheel drive. However, slightly different engines will reach Europe – specifically, a four-cylinder 2.0 with a power of 149 hp and diesels 2.0 and 2.2 with a power of 122 and 148 horses .
Toyota further promises more sporting experiences behind the wheel of the front and all-wheel drive versions, and that is why it adds the Sport mode to the equipment of both models, which accelerates the response of the gas, transmission and steering, and in the 4×4 version is also able to send more power to the rear wheels in case that it is needed. The version with all-wheel drive also offers the Dynamic Torque Control system, which, in addition to the mentioned Sport mode, also has Auto and Lock modes.
RAV4 will not appear on our European market until the autumn of next year with the expected premiere at the Frankfurt IAA . The prices of the individual versions have not yet been determined.
