Ever since its inception, RAV4 by Toyota remains one of the main game changers when it comes to crossover SUVs. It is believed to be the first vehicle of its type to hit the highways. RAV4 is an acronym from the phrase Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive. The vehicle offers good visibility, car-like ride, cargo space and functionality all rolled up into a typical SUV. The fourth generation entered the market with both interior and exterior updates that resulted to a sleek, aerodynamic vehicle.
The Fourth Generation RAV4
The new RAV4 fourth generation offers balanced performance and better capability combined with better cargo capacity, fuel efficiency, great design and a compelling range of features in the standard model the vehicle is available in limited versions, XLE and LE.
Exterior
The fourth generation RAV4 sticks to the original concept which was geared towards contemporary buyers’ needs. The vehicle has a great design that conveys a fun character as well as agility. The exterior features a sleek sloping roofline, a progressive silhouette and a line bringing out the aggressive character in the vehicle. RAV4 fourth generation is available in 9 exterior shades that are: Magnetic gray metallic, classic silver metallic, super white, blizzard pearl, shoreline blue pearl, spruce mica, pyrite mica, Barcelona red metallic and black.
Interior
The car maker did a great job in creating a vehicle with versatile seat arrangements, in a quiet interior with high quality standard equipment. The new dash board is asymmetrical and driver-centric. This means that all the important controls can be reached easily. The passenger side has a scalloped dash board that creates a feeling of airy spaciousness. The gauges on the dash panel are illuminated in blue that provides crisp visibility and a coherent appearance in the dark.
The steering wheel in the standard RAV4 is telescopic/manual tilt while the XLE and the LE have urethane steering. The wheel has controls for the multifunctional display, audio and Bluetooth. The front passenger and driver seats have high seatbacks and feature slim backs to create ample room for the rear passenger. The rear seats can be folded to increase capacity of up to 73.4 cubic feet. The standard version also features power door locks, cruise control, power side mirrors, privacy glass, power windows and daytime running lights. The XLE and limited versions have integrated fog lights, sliding sunshade, heated mirrors with signals, and a dual-zone climate control (automatic).
Powertrain
The fourth generation RAV4 has number of powertrain technologies that assist the vehicle in delivering a satisfying and engaging driver experience. The vehicle is fitted with Toyota’s 2.5 liter four cylinder engine (naturally aspirated) which provides 176 horsepower and 6000 rpm. The new RAV4 has a 6-speed transmission with 1st and 2nd gear optimized for driving around town. The 5th and 6th gears are overdrives to enhance fuel mileage on the highway.
Safety
The vehicle has 8 standard airbags and a blind spot monitor. The vehicle also has disc brakes and a combination of a wide range of safety measures that are geared towards making the car one of the safest SUV crossovers.