A toned down version of the FT-AC concept shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, the RAV4 is the latest model after the C-HR, Prius and Corolla to ride on the Japanese automaker’s TNGA platform, and measures 4 595mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2 689mm, a width of 1 854mm and height of 1 699mm.
Equipped with Toyota’s new Dynamic Torque Vectoring system on all-wheel drive models that can send as much as 50% of the available torque to the rear wheels, or disconnect the rear axle completely when all wheel traction is not needed, the RAV4 also debuts with two new AWD systems; the AWD Integrated Management (AIM) that alters steering, throttle response and the transmission based on the selecting of two settings, Eco and Sport, and the traditional mechanical setup that comes with a multi-terrain system complete with two modes; Mud/Sand and Rock/Dirt.
Although Toyota is only expected to announce final price and spec details of its Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson rival closer to the launch date, it has confirmed that the RAV4 will come powered by two petrol engines; a 2.0-litre producing 127kW/203Nm and the new 2.5-litre Dynamic Force that punches out 152kW/243Nm. No word on the replacement for the 2.2 D-4D motor, the 155kW 2.5-litre hybrid that comes with a rear axle mounted electric motor, has been made.
Offered solely with front-wheel drive, the entry-level 2.0-litre model will be fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox incorporating a rev-matching function similar to that of the GT86, Hilux and Fortuner, while a new CVT boasting the same launch gear arrangement as the Corolla will be optional. The flagship 2.5 meanwhile will be teamed the new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic ‘box as standard, in addition to the aforementioned Torque Vectoring system.
With pricing of soon-to-be-discontinued RAV4 kicking-off at R386 100, expect the sticker price of the new version to commence around the R400 000 mark before topping out at a speculative R600 000.
