Safety kit will not miss any of the eleven models that’ll go on offer.
Japanese marque Toyota have detailed their upcoming RAV4 SUV, which is set to arrive sometime in the second-quarter of this year. The RAV4 is smarter, sharper, and more versatile than ever before, and the safety kit that Toyota’s peddling it with means that it’ll be a properly functional family wagon too.
All eleven models across the range will be offered with things like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, daylight cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, lane departure warning, and automatic high beam. Cars fitted with an automatic or a CVT also benefit from active cruise control that includes a lane-trace asst function that manipulates the power steering to keep the car centred in lane.
This is of course in addition to the usual assortment of safety kit, like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 360º camera, all-round parking sensors, and 7-airbags.
“Safety has always been a top priority for Toyota, and in the all-new RAV4, we are delivering highly advanced technologies to assist drivers and help protect occupants & other road users. These features will ensure the RAV4 provides our customers with the very highest levels of active & passive safety in its class, and they are not just limited on the higher-end models” – Sean Hanley, Vice President (Sales & Marketing), Toyota Australia
The RAV4 range will kick off with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-pot petrol, producing a healthy 127kW and 203Nm, with power going exclusively to the from wheels via either a CVT automatic (with launch gear), or a 6-speed manual transmission.
The mid-spec engine option comes in the form of a 2.5-litre atmo petrol, with 152kW and 243Nm. This engine will be mated exclusively to an 8-speed automatic transmission, with power going to all-four wheels. The mechanical all-wheel drive system in the RAV4 can shuffle as much as 50% of the power rearwards, and distribute power between the left-right wheels via a dynamic torque vectoring system. Should be a half-decent steer then too, especially since the new TNGA platform promises 57% better rigidity.
However, the real highlight in the range is the 2.5-litre hybrid system. With batteries under the floor and an electric motor in the rear, the system output totals at 155kW, with torque unmentioned. This e-AWD can actually put down as much as 80% of power at the rear should it feel the need to, which is impressive. And while the non-hybrid 2.5 has torque vectoring, the hybrid model benefits from an e-LSD (limited slip differential), that promises better power management.
What’ll arguably be more of a priority for buyers is the new, more refined presentation. The RAV4 is now better-looking and better-packaged than before, and benefits hugely from the updated Toyota design language and commitment to perceived quality. The highlight of the more aesthetically-pleasing cabin comes in the form of an 8.0-inch touchscreen placed right atop the centre console, which itself features a slimmer design that maximises space for storage and legs. There’s also an electronic handbrake, which frees up quite a bit of space.
Further details & pricing should be revealed closer to the launch of the RAV4, so be sure to stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
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