Toyota USA has finally lifted the lid on the all-new Toyota RAV-4.
The fifth-generation RAV4 now sports a front reminiscent of the 4Runner SUV, and breaks the mould that automakers typically follow with their design. Most follow an evolutionary design, however the RAV4 is revolutionary. It would be impossible to confuse this and its predecessor.
The interior is very closely styled to that of the freshly revealed Corolla hatch, and also has the new 'floating' infotainment screen, which features the new Entune 3.0 multimedia system that now includes Apple CarPlay as standard alongside hands-free access to Amazon Alexa and WiFi connectivity.
The SUV will be available with three different all-wheel-drive systems, including Toyota’s new Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, and a Multi-Terrain Select system for some extra electronic assistance through snow, mud, sand and rock modes.
With the 5th generation RAV4, Toyota has switched from the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) C Platform that underpins the Prius and C-HR to the TNGA K version that is shared with the American Camry. That brings some changes to the proportions, as the new RAV4 rides on a 2.69m wheelbase that’s 3cm longer than before, yet its 5mm shorter at 4.6m. It’s also 10mm wider at 1.85m, while height drops by 5mm to 1.7m. Toyota claims the new unibody chassis is 57% more rigid than the outgoing version.
Standard on all vehicles, the technology package includes: pre-collision with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beam as well as lane tracing assist and road sign assist (identifies and alerts to upcoming signage).
Toyota SA has yet to confirm when the new RAV4 will arrive on our shores but we would estimate towards the end of 2018/early 2019.
