NOVEMBER 1 - 7 | 2019
Ŷ NEW LOOK: New Toyota RAV4 styling introduces a squared off look.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Edge TWENTY five years after the first Toyota RAV4 (Recreational Activity Vehicle 4WD) was introduced Downunder, Toyota launched the fifth generation in May 2019. Since then SUVs have begun to dominate the market in Australia and now outsell passenger cars. Mind you - most so-called SUVs are really only tall hatchbacks, with car-type ground clearance, and may not be driven by all four wheels. But buyers love the convenience of easy entry and exit and cargo carrying capacity. Toyota RAV4 continues to be a major player in its segment and the gen-five is a more than competent vehicle from a company that builds AWD vehicles ranging from the cute-as CH-R to the off-road choice of just about every Aussie living in the bush, the seemingly ’unbreakable’ 70 Series.
By EWAN KENNEDY Prices for the RAV4 range from $30,640 for a 2WD (the front wheels) petrol manual, to $47,140 for the topline RAV4 Edge AWD automatic, with nine other models between them. STYLING New RAV4 is slightly shorter and lower than the model it supersedes, but has a wider body. Its shape is very much squared off both inside and out. As a result it looks significantly larger than it really is. There’s nothing else in the Toyota lineup that follows the same styling theme as the RAV4. So it will be interesting to see if this SUV is the forerunner of the next generation of vehicles from the Japanese giant. On the whole, most who saw it liked the
shape, though a few thought it’s too “industrial” in its shape. INTERIOR Compared to the model it supersedes the new RAV4’s rear load space has been extended by 65mm and now offers an impressive 580 litres. It features a two-level reversible floor for added functionality. However, this is not available if you choose the fullsize spare wheel option. INFOTAINMENT New RAV4 has a multimedia system with steering wheel controls incorporates. It has full Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM/DAB+ radio, satellite navigation and voice recognition with all information displayed on an 8-inch touchscreen. ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS The RAV4 comes with just about some-
thing for just about everyone in its drivetrains - 2WD, or mechanical or electric 4WD systems, as well as a choice of two new petrol engines, and some hybrid models. However, there is no turbo-diesel option as buyers are moving away from diesels, especially as the hybrids are virtual as economical, and certainly cleaner, than oil burners. Also a plug-in hybrid may be coming here, though that’s still be to advised. Most non-hybrid RAV4s are all powered by a new design 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 127kW and 203Nm, driving through a CVT automatic with a launch gear mechanism.
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