The refreshed Toyota RAV4 has joined 13 other revitalised Toyota models released in 2015, is on-sale now with prices starting from $27,990 (+ORC).
THE REFRESHED TOYOTA RAV4 is on-sale now from $27,990 (+ORC) for the entry-level petrol GX with prices topping out at $49,490 (+ORC) for the diesel Cruiser variant. While some RAV4 variants have seen prices remain, or drop slightly, manual versions now attract a $500 premium whole turbo-diesel variants, which now feature a diesel particulate filter, attract a price rise of between $1500-$2000 depending on the variant.
Visually, the new-look RAV4 borrows from the Corolla’s styling with a bolder looking front-end. Key changes at the front include a larger lower grille and slimline LED projector headlights that incorporate high and low beams in a housing that also integrates LED daytime running lights. The new front and rear bumpers have stretched the RAV4 by 35mm.
Rounding out the exterior restyle are three additions to the colour palette: Deep Red mica metallic (replacing Wildfire), Hazel and Blue Gem.
Criticised for feeling a little tinny inside, Toyota said it had added more insulation to filter out road noise. We’ll let you know how it performs once we’ve driven it. Other key changes inside see the GXL and Cruiser gain a new two-dial instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour TFT (thin-film-transistor) multi-information display. GXL is now fitted with an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. RAV4 Cruiser’s interior, including its leather-accented seats, can be specified in black, tan or beige depending on the exterior colour.
Like the refreshed Corolla, the updated RAV4 has copped some suspension tweaks and a stronger body to remove flex and roll in corners.
The refreshed RAV4 gets a raft of new safety technologies, including Pre-Collision System with forward collision warning and automatic emergency brake, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The newly developed safety features use a forward-facing camera and “millimetre-wave radar to trigger vehicle systems”, including autonomous braking. The newly developed features, standard on Cruiser and included in an optional technical pack for GXL with CVT or automatic transmissions, also includes Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and front parking sensors. A full-size spare is a $300 cost option on the GX.
RAV4 is offered with three four-cylinder engines, starting with a 107kW 2.0-litre petrol for the two-wheel drive (2WD) variants.
All-wheel drive (AWD) versions can be specified with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that develops 340Nm of torque, or a 2.5-litre petrol engine that develops 132kW. The 2WD RAV4 is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox or Toyota’s Multidrive S automatic transmission (CVT) which does service in the Corolla and offers a seven-speed mode, although it isn’t quite as sophisticated as the similar set-up in the Subaru WRX. Petrol AWD variants are fitted with a six-speed multi-mode sequential-shift automatic while diesel AWD RAV4 offers the choice of the six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.
Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said couples or families with active lifestyles would appreciate the refreshed styling and expanded equipment levels.
“The updates to RAV4 cap off a sustained roll-out of new or refreshed Toyota vehicles in 2015 – a period of renewal that is delivering motorists more choice, quality and driving enjoyment while underpinning Toyota’s sales growth into 2016,” he said.
2WD? It’s just a jacked up Corolla.
Refreshed!!!!!!! Returded more like it. What an insipid array of engines too, to match the puerile looks.