Yeah sure there are price increments but this is safety, man.
Toyota has (finally) detailed the lineup of the all-new RAV4, with a 11-variant lineup that is devoid of diesels and debuting hybrid power for the first time. The powertrain lineup consists of 2.0-litre petrol front-wheel drives, 2.5-litre hybrid front-wheel drives, and 2.5-litre hybrid all-wheel drives, with the majority of the lineup made up of hybrids in either front-paw or all-paw setups.
Standard equipment on the new family hauler is pretty decent, which you’d expect given that like-for-like prices between outgoing variants and impending replacements ranges between $1200 and $3100. Fitted on the base GX models are things like Toyota’s Safety Sense ADAS system (full-speed AEB, intelligent cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beam, all-round parking sensors, reversing camera, speed-sign recognition), electric parking brake, automatic lights & wipers, infotainment system with digital radio, sat-nav and traffic alert, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (arriving late this year), and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Move up to the GXL and you get roof-rails, rear privacy glass, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electrochroamatic rear-view mirrors, dual-zone air-conditioning with rear vents, 18-inch alloys, 5-USB ports (with fast-charging), keyless entry & go, and even wireless phone charging.
Cruiser models add to that things like 19-inch alloys chrome door handles, a sunroof, leather upholstery, seat heating in the front, an electrically-adjustable and memory-storing driver’s seat, a proper 360º camera, a nine-speaker JBL audio system, and a powered tailgate.
But the flushest-of-the-flush can get the RAV4 Edge, the only petrol-only 4-paw model on offer. By getting an Edge you bag things like sportier bumpers on either end, unique 19-inch alloys in the arches (which now feature mouldings), multi-terrain select, hill-descent control, body-coloured door handles, heated and ventilated front pews, and faux-leather upholstery. The Khaki paint & sunroof are optional, but you do get an 8-speed auto – a respite from the nearly CVT-only lineup (a manual is only offered for the base GX).
| Engine | Power (AWD) | Torque (AWD) | Fuel Consumption (AWD) |
| 2.0L | 127kW | 203Nm | 6.5L/100km |
| 2.5L | 152kW | 243Nm | 7.3L/100km |
| 2.5L Hybrid | 160kW (163kW) | N/A | 4.7L/100k (4.8L/100km) |
| Model | Powertrain | Price (excl. ORCs) |
| GX (M) | 2.0L 2WD Manual | $30,640 |
| GX | 2.0L 2WD CVT | $32,640 |
| GX Hybrid | 2.5L 2WD CVT | $35,140 |
| GX Hybrid AWD | 2.5L AWD CVT | $38,140 |
| GXL | 2.0 2WD CVT | $35,640 |
| GXL Hybrid | 2.5L 2WD CVT | $38,140 |
| GXL Hybrid AWD | 2.5L AWD CVT | $40,140 |
| Cruiser | 2.0L 2WD CVT | $39,140 |
| Cruiser Hybrid | 2.5L 2WD CVT | $41,640 |
| Cruiser Hybrid AWD | 2.5L AWD CVT | $44,640 |
| Edge AWD | 2.5L AWD 8-Speed Auto | $47,140 |
For the money, Toyota is offering a heck of a lot of kit for what will most likely be a day-to-day family hauler for many. The improved refinement & driving dynamics means that the big Toyota no longer feels like a dinghy to drive, and the new powertrains are properly miserly things. Even the CVT automatic that populates the majority of the lineup is a solid performer – but we’ll bring you more of that in the review that’ll come in due course.
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