Toyota has opened order books for the new Toyota RAV4 SUV, ahead of deliveries early next year.
Front-wheel drive models will arrive in dealerships first in April, with prices starting from £29,635 for an entry-level Icon model. All-wheel drive models are set to follow in May, starting at £33,430 for a step-up Design model and reaching £36,640 for a top-end Dynamic. All models use Toyota's 2.5-litre hybrid petrol engine and CVT gearbox.
Highlights of the base spec Icon cars include 17in alloy wheels, roof rails, rear parking sensors and rear view camera, 8in touchscreen infotainment and 7in digital instrument display. Design-grade cars get 18in alloys, front parking sensors, powered tailgate and keyless entry. Excel models go further with LED headlights, blind spot monitoring, heated front seats, full leather upholstery and heated steering wheel. Finally, top-level Dynamic cars come equipped with sports seats and bi-tone paint options.
Toyota RAV4 XSE 2018 first drive review
The RAV4 made its European debut at the Paris motor show with a promise from its chief engineer, Yoshikazu Saeki, that "it will be more of a proper SUV" than the car it replaces.
Even though the current RAV4, a rival to the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai, has become the best-selling car in North America, beaten only by pick-up trucks in the sales charts, Saeki is setting his sights even higher. "I don’t believe the current car was very successful at all. I’ll consider a car to have been successful when there are no further advancements to make."
The upcoming RAV4 is not only based on Toyota’s new TNGA platform but moves up a size and now sits on underpinnings more closely related to the large Camry saloon than that of a Prius. One engine is available at launch, a 2.5-litre hybrid producing 215bhp in front-wheel drive models and 219bhp in four-wheel drive cars. CO2 emissions are 102g/km and 103g/km for front- and four-wheel drive models respectively.
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Too big, too ugly.
Too big, too ugly.
Confused?
It’s as if the designed it by committee, and they couldn’t agree, so they each got to put there design on it.
Questionable Design
I'm not sure how this redesign will appeal to women. It comes across as a very 'masculine' vehicle, and the current design is popular with women. I'm not a fan of the redesign, and would've kept the '18 style with upgrades where needed, e.g. infotainment system; driving dynamics; engine upgrades ergonomics, etc. We'll have to wait and see how well this redesign is received. I may well be in the minority; opinion-wise.