Drive review: Toyota RAV4 (2019) gets American influenced design

When the first Toyota RAV4 was launched it had just 7 competitors, now it has 43. And even amongst all of that, RAV4 has always managed to jostle it’s way to the top of the pile. Over the years it’s morphed from just an SUV Adventure car to a much more refined package. The latest generation, with it’s seemingly American influence has become the most refined of the lot. I drive two versions of the latest generation RAV4 through some spectacular KZN scenery to bring you what’s new, and what’s different.

So What’s Different?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is 30mm longer, 10mm wider, up to 15mm higher and 35mm less overhangs. These are big dimensional changes but the differences don’t end there. The radical, angular styling seems more concept car than SUV but translates well in the flesh. Fuel consumption has been improved overall with the new 2.0 doing 6.8l/100 and the 2.5 7.3l/100, down from 7.7 and 8.5 respectively.
The GX-R version we drove first is the 2.0 127KW with Toyotas lauded 10-speed CVT Gearbox. But don’t call it a 10-Speed in front of the Toyota team. It’s “10 Step”. The team was quite insistent that this is not a gearbox, but a belt driven system. Either way it’s smooth and responsive and yet another step towards total CVT public acceptance. The 2.5 VX comes with a traditional 8-speed automatic gearbox, which matches the powertrain nicely. Power is up 20kW on both versions, with the 2.5 pushing out 152kW. Torque is up as well to 203Nm and 243Nm respectively. RAV4 is available in 6-Speed manual transmission as well which comes with a rev-matching feature, providing smoothness previously unattainable by a manual in this segment.

A few new safety features have been added such as the 360-degree camera, lane departure with steering control and adaptive cruise control.

On the Road

KZN, at least the parts near Richards Bay has some really nice, smooth well-maintained roads. The Toyota RAV4 VX ,with it’s bigger wheels had some road noise on the tarmac, and over the gravel sections was slightly less smooth than the 2.0 GX-R. The GX-R however felt composed on almost any surface and better behaved than the flagship, even at speed. I got a sense that both cars were very much comfort biased, so if comfort is what your looking for, in my mind the 2.0 GX-R seems like the pick of the bunch. With regard to engine the VX shines. Smooth, tractable with good torque, matched by that 8-speed gearbox, the car felt most comfortable cruising at exactly the speed limit. As we wound our way through the KZN hills, I engaged the adaptive cruise control and when wanting to overtake, a prod of the throttle was all that was needed.
Interior and Exterior

Available in a total of nine colours to compliment those concept car looks, RAV4 should maintain its freshness for a while, regardless which colour you go for. New RAV4 comes with LED lights up front and at the rear and although the design, just like CH-R can be quite polarizing, I think this car has to be seen in the flesh to be, well, understood.

The angles and slats continue in the inside with a slightly lower dash board, creating a sense of more space. Getting comfortable takes a little time because it does feel different to other cars, but once I set the rake and reach adjustable steering I was on my way. The cars we drove came fitted with electrically adjustable drivers side only, and manual settings on the passenger side.

Verdict

With Toyota’s, in South Africa it doesn’t matter what product Toyota creates, they can seemingly do no wrong. And in this case, starting at just over R400 000, the new Toyota RAV4 replaces a car that could, in it’s old guise, compete with the latest and greatest from the other manufacturers. Expect the same, if not more from this one.

PRICING
RAV4 2.0 GX MT 2WD – R 416 400
RAV4 2.0 GX CVT 2WD – R 427 600
RAV4 2.0 GX-R CVT AWD – R508 100
RAV4 2.0 VX CVT 2WD – R505 400
RAV4 2.5 VX 8AT AWD – R577 900