Toyota RAV4 (XA30W) Thorough Description

ReportDecember 16, 2021

Third-generation model with a 2.4-liter engine closes the gap with rivals

The RAV4 was an early entrant into the middle-class SUV market created by Suzuki's Escudo. The RAV4 was an early entrant into the middle SUV market created by Suzuki's Escudo, and has been building up a solid sales record since its first generation.

The third generation model, which will debut this time, has already had its style unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. The main features of the new model are the 2.4-liter engine, which was previously available with a 2-liter engine, and the discontinuation of the 3-door model, which was previously available only as a 5-door model. However, since a three-door model was announced at the Frankfurt show, it is expected that a three-door model will be available overseas.

As is the case with SUVs in general, the emphasis on on-road performance rather than crossover performance has increased with each generation, and the RAV4 fits into this equation perfectly, with more on-road performance than the first generation. The lineup is simple, with three models: the advanced G, the Sport with 18-inch tires for enhanced on-road performance, and the basic X. The Sport is only available with 4WD, but the X is available with 4WD. The Sport is only available with 4WD, but the G and X are also available with FF.

The RAV4 used to be available in two models, the RAV4 J sold at Netz stores and the RAV4 L sold at Corolla stores (although only a batch was available). The letters "J" and "L" have also disappeared.

New platform and larger body

The new RAV4 adopts a newly designed platform. The new RAV4 has a newly designed platform and a larger body than the previous model. Looking at the standard 4WD model, the overall length has increased by 180mm and the overall width by 80mm, while the overall height has decreased by 5mm. This change in dimension shows that the car has a more on-road character. The wheelbase has also been extended by 70mm.

Basically, it has an SUV-like appearance with a horizontal hood and lateral fenders, but there are some major changes in the details of the finish. In the front part, the Toyota emblem in the center of the grille has been replaced with an N motif, indicating that it is a Netz model. The front and rear bumpers have bulges on the underside in several places.

The most significant change is in the side view. The rear quarter window, which used to have a gentle curve with an arc in the upper part, has been changed to a triangular one. The rear quarter window has been replaced with a triangular one, giving the rear end a lighter look and appealing on-road performance.

Advanced design with a three-dimensional feel

The dash panel has been designed to be arranged in two sections, one above and one below, to show off its advanced design. The center panel of the previous generation model had a rounded design that gave it a soft and gentle feel, while the new model has an edgy design. The previous model had a feminine look, while the new model has a sharp, masculine impression.

The air conditioner vents on the left and right sides and the meter covers are arranged in a three-dimensional manner using curved surfaces, giving the car an organic image. The continuity between the entire instrument panel and the doors is high, and the overall appearance is clean and coherent. Metal parts are installed on the center panel and steering wheel. These serve to tighten the overall appearance.

The instrument panel itself is a two-stage structure, and the air conditioning controls are placed at a slight upward angle rather than vertically. By angling this part of the panel, operability is considerably improved. The design with function is very pleasing to the eye.

Universal design for a car that is easy to use for everyone

With the increase in body size, the interior dimensions have also been expanded. In many cases, even if the body dimensions are increased to improve side impact performance, the interior width is not increased, but in the new RAV4, the exterior dimensions were increased by 80mm and the interior width was increased by 30mm.

The RAV4 has been given a roomy interior, and the seat size has been increased to ensure an even more relaxed ride. Compared to its predecessor, the front seats are 20mm wider, 15mm longer, and the seatback height is 50mm higher. The rear seats have also been widened by 50mm, the cushion length has been increased by 15mm at the side, and the seatback height has been increased by 20mm at the side.

Toyota's goal is to create vehicles that are easy for everyone to use by incorporating universal design into all of its models, and this RAV4 is a product of this philosophy. The seat height is set at a height that makes it easy to get in and out of both the front and rear seats. In the driver's seat, the amount of seat slide and recline has been increased, and the steering wheel is equipped with a tilt and telescopic mechanism. The distance between the front and rear seats has also been widened to create a vehicle that will satisfy many people.

Plenty of luggage space with no difference in drive system

In the previous generation RAV4, the rear shock absorbers were placed in an almost vertical position, but in the new model, they are placed in a more horizontal position to create a cleaner luggage space. Four 10-inch golf bags can be carried.

The rear seats can be folded forward in a 6:4 split. The rear seats can of course be folded forward in a six to four split, with a lever on the side of the luggage compartment that can be pulled to increase the space with a single touch. A tonneau cover and a deck net are available for all models, so you can use the tonneau cover when you don't want to show your luggage. The net can also be used as a partition.

It has become common to have a small storage space under the floor of the luggage compartment, but in many cases, while the FWD models have plenty of space, the 4WD models tend to have less space. The new RAV4, however, boasts a 63-liter capacity regardless of the drive system. The tonneau cover can also be stored. The interior is also very well equipped with pockets, but we can't show you all of them here, so please refer to the pictures on the interior page.

Downhill and hill start control

The previous generation RAV4 had a 1.8-liter engine for 2WD and a 2-liter engine for 4WD, but the new model has a 2.4-liter engine. The specifications have been greatly improved to 170 horsepower and 22.8 kgm. The CVT was the only transmission available, and all grades were equipped with a sequential shift-matic system that allowed manual operation of seven gear ratios. The CVT is also equipped with an ascent/descent gear shift control system that allows the CVT to increase the gear ratio when ascending a hill and limit the gear ratio when descending a hill for a comfortable drive. For models equipped with the HDD navigation system, the NAVS AI shift control, which controls the gear ratio down, gas pedal off and brake on before corners and intersections (during route guidance only), is also available. The 4WD adopts the S-VSC + Active Torque Control 4WD Cooperative Control that integrates electronic power steering, brake control (VSC and ABS), driving force control (TRC) and front/rear torque distribution control. The S-VSC + Active Torque Control 4WD Cooperative Control system more aggressively controls lane departure during cornering. The S-VSC model can also be equipped with hill descent control, which automatically controls the brake fluid pressure on all four wheels to descend a hill at a constant speed (approx. 5km/h), and hill start control, which locks the brakes when starting up a hill and automatically releases them when the gas pedal is depressed.

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