The Toyota RAV4 Thread

Toyota RAV4 review

WHAT'S THE VERDICT?

“Definitely the sensible option, but you'll be laughing all the way to the petrol station”

The Toyota RAV4 really makes its own case for itself – if the hybrid powertrain and no-nonsense styling don’t tickle your fancy then you’re better off looking elsewhere. Likewise it’s not for control freaks who like their manual transmissions and working away at an engine.

The RAV4 is practical, intelligent, and puts Toyota’s cumulative years working away at this technology front and centre. As a family wagon it’s appealing, and as a financial and fuel saving choice it really does take some beating.

www.topgear.com

Toyota RAV4 Review 2023 | Top Gear

Definitely the sensible option, but you'll be laughing all the way to the petrol station
www.topgear.com www.topgear.com
 
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition

Toyota is taking the RAV4 Hybrid to a whole new level of adventure with the new 2023 Woodland Edition. Equipped with everything needed for an outdoor excursion, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the first hybrid off-road special edition SUV for the brand.

The arrival of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition to US dealerships in fall 2022 also demonstrates our support for a charitable endeavor. To support local communities and make our public lands more accessible and enjoyable for Americans of all abilities, Toyota is proud to contribute $500,000 to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) toward improving accessibility in these beloved spaces. Through local outreach projects, education programs and accessibility improvement efforts, Toyota and NEEF will make an impact that goes beyond the pavement.


9F8AFB41-D737-4821-A1C6-E11648DC08C3.jpeg53D8CB7C-E4AB-4C15-A6C7-E807CAE591A8.jpegA4281571-C33A-4EA6-93A1-4879DC5A96EF.jpegE8C87F39-AC58-4489-B673-976590856B69.jpeg65B0AF12-5F6F-444D-9C97-8942CDA8D37A.jpeg55317582-63F7-452C-8003-14644BC8CCD0.jpeg
 
Toyota ‘testing’ 225 kW RAV4 plug-in hybrid in SA

Toyota South Africa Motors has imported a “limited number” of plug-in hybrid RAV4 units to test market feedback. Here’s what we know so far…

Although Toyota’s new-energy vehicle strategy in South Africa has thus far comprised only traditional (self-charging) hybrid vehicles, there appears to be some change on the horizon. In fact, a few examples of the plug-in hybrid RAV4 are already in the country.

According to Toyota South Africa Motors, these units have been brought in as part of a trial conceived to “test market feedback”. It’s important to note, therefore, this vehicle is not (yet) available for sale to the public.

As a reminder, the current RAV4 line-up in South Africa comprises three purely petrol-powered derivatives and two traditional hybrid variants. The latter wear the E-Four badge and combine a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor on each axle and a small battery. Total system is rated at 163 kW, while the claimed average fuel consumption comes in at 4.8 litres per 100 km.

By contrast, the likewise-AWD RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) features a significantly larger battery (a lithium-ion item with a capacity of 18.1 kWh) and a more powerful front-mounted electric motor (rated at 134 kW) in addition to the standard 40 kW rear item and the naturally aspirated petrol mill, pushing peak system power to a heady 225 kW.

In Europe, the RAV4 PHEV has a WLTP-rated fuel consumption figure of just 1.0 litre per 100 km. Interestingly, it runs in electric mode by default, in which it can cover around 65 km on a full battery and reach speeds of 135 kph. The vehicle is further equipped with an on-board charger that can support speeds up to 6.6 kW.

www.cars.co.za

Toyota 'testing' 225 kW RAV4 plug-in hybrid in SA

Toyota South Africa Motors has imported a “limited number” of plug-in hybrid RAV4 units to test market feedback. Here’s what we know so far…
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za
 
Toyota's GR Sport-ified RAV4 for Europe Deserves Some Attention

Toyota actually did a little something to the suspension, and the RAV4 Prime was already a pretty quick car.

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is faster than you’d think, with its 302 horsepower. But, in true Toyota fashion, it keeps any and all sporting pretense on the down low. In Europe, the brand is playing things a bit differently with the announcement of the RAV4 GR Sport.

Now, I know plenty of you are rolling your eyes at “RAV4" and “GR” in the same sentence, unless that sentence happens to go something like, “I can’t believe the same company that makes the RAV4 also makes the GR Yaris!” GR Sport is Toyota’s version of Hyundai’s N Line, or BMW’s M Sport, trickling some of the motorsport-inspired trim from those brands’ full-fat GR offerings down to ordinary grocery-getters and family-haulers. The RAV4 GR Sport, which comes in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, is one such car.

But Toyota deserves a little bit of credit here, and I’ll tell you why. Typically with these fake-fast trim packages automakers dangle in front of us, the transformation is skin deep. You get the bumpers or maybe the wheels of the true enthusiast offering, without any of the hardware. This is not the case with the RAV4 GR Sport, which actually benefits from a tauter ride! As Toyota explains:

The sportier looks are complemented by further improvements to the suspension for the GR SPORT model. The new stiffer springs and shock absorber settings are expected to give the RAV4 GR SPORT a handling boost and offer a more engaging driving experience.
Click to expand...

jalopnik.com

Toyota's GR Sport-Ified RAV4 For Europe Deserves Some Attention - Jalopnik

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is faster than you’d think, with its 302 horsepower. But, in true Toyota fashion, it keeps any and all sporting pretense on the down low. In Europe, the brand is playing things a bit differently with the announcement of the RAV4 GR Sport.
jalopnik.com jalopnik.com

59086768-6162-466C-9E28-4A7D2789F203.jpeg7065B86A-07DD-40FA-A5E0-6BE0DB070087.jpegC890ABEC-A794-4F0D-9A63-2B0D22D10CF4.jpeg
 
New Toyota RAV4 GR Sport Debuts

Toyota in Europe has revealed a new GR Sport version of the strong-selling RAV4. Question is, will the newcomer eventually launch in South Africa, too?

In South Africa, Toyota markets GR Sport versions of the Land Cruiser 300, Corolla Cross and Hilux (in addition to the full-fat GR Yaris and GR Supra, plus the upcoming GR86). Now the Japanese brand’s European division has revealed a new RAV4 GR Sport.

The GR Sport grade for the RAV4 – the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2021 – includes a sharper styling package and some handling tweaks, and is available on the Old Continent in conjunction with either the standard hybrid powertrain or the 225 kW plug-in hybrid set-up (which, incidentally, is currently being tested in SA). Both, of course, feature all-wheel drive as standard.

In line with this grade of Toyota’s GR product hierarchy, the new RAV4 GR Sport’s under-the-skin upgrades are limited to suspension adjustments, meaning there’s no extra power on offer from the engine (though the aforementioned Hilux breaks this rule, offering some added grunt). Still, Toyota promises the stiffer springs and shock-absorber settings lend the RAV4 a “handling boost” and offer a “more engaging driving experience”.

www.cars.co.za

New Toyota RAV4 GR Sport Debuts

Toyota in Europe has revealed a new GR Sport version of the RAV4. Question is, will the newcomer eventually launch in South Africa, too?
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za

1.PNG2.PNG3.PNG4.PNG5.PNG6.PNG
 
Toyota RAV4 gets GR Sport touches and retuned suspension

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota RAV4 gets GR Sport touches and retuned suspension

Capitalising on the successful racing name, Toyota has decided to give the RAV4 GR Sport touches for the European market. The model is unconfirmed for South African at this point but it would make a good addition to the popular lineup.
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid under consideration for SA - here’s what to expect

In the real world here in South Africa large scale sales of fully electric vehicles are still a way off for a number of reasons which have been well documented, so it makes sense that for the foreseeable future hybrid technology will be the most practical solution.

We see it in the number of hybrid options that have become available to us and it would be fair to say that Toyota is leading the charge, especially with their Corolla Cross Hybrid which makes up the bulk of their sales in the segment.

So on the back of the RAV4 GX Hybrid and Hybrid E-Four, Toyota is dipping its toes into the water to see whether the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is a viable option locally.

The company has brought in eight vehicles as a market research exercise to test customer response, vehicle behaviour, infrastructure requirements and a number of other technical aspects before making a decision whether to sell them locally.

It also represents phase two of their New Energy Vehicle (NEV) roll-out plan, following the hybrid vehicle expansion strategy across Toyota’s mainstream product plan.

Under the RAV4’s bonnet is a 2.5-litre petrol engine paired to a 18.1kW lithium-ion battery below the passenger compartment connected to two motors driving both axles.

The ICE motor puts out 136kW and 227Nm while the front motor contributes 134kW and the rear 40kW providing an additional 270 and 121Nm of torque resulting in a total system output of 225kW.

 
Toyota ‘testing’ 225 kW RAV4 plug-in hybrid in SA

Toyota South Africa Motors has imported a “limited number” of plug-in hybrid RAV4 units to test market feedback. Here’s what we know so far…

Toyota’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) strategy is well underway and the Japanese firm has expanded its hybrid rollout with the recent introduction of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid hatchback. Although Toyota’s new-energy vehicle strategy in South Africa has thus far comprised only traditional (self-charging) hybrid vehicles, there appears to be some change on the horizon. In fact, a few examples of the plug-in hybrid RAV4 are already in the country and we were able to briefly sample the model at the launch of the updated Corolla in early November 2022.

According to Toyota South Africa Motors, these units have been brought in as part of a trial conceived to “test market feedback”. It’s important to note, therefore, this vehicle is not (yet) available for sale to the public. The key objectives of this market research exercise are to test customer response, vehicle behaviour, infrastructure requirements and to educate customers on plug-in hybrid technology. The main benefit of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is that it offers the efficiency of an EV but negates the associated range anxiety that is a typical concern for potential EV buyers.

As a reminder, the current RAV4 line-up in South Africa comprises three purely petrol-powered derivatives and two traditional hybrid variants. The latter wear the E-Four badge and combine a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor on each axle and a small battery. Total system is rated at 163 kW, while the claimed average fuel consumption comes in at 4.8 litres per 100 km.

By contrast, the likewise-AWD RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) features a significantly larger battery (a lithium-ion item with a capacity of 18.1 kWh) and a more powerful front-mounted electric motor (rated at 134 kW) in addition to the standard 40 kW rear item and the naturally aspirated petrol mill, pushing peak system power to a heady 225 kW.

In Europe, the RAV4 PHEV has a WLTP-rated fuel consumption figure of just 1.0 litre per 100 km. Interestingly, it runs in electric mode by default, in which it can cover around 65 km on a full battery and reach speeds of 135 kph.

www.cars.co.za

Toyota 'testing' 225 kW RAV4 plug-in hybrid in SA

Toyota South Africa Motors has imported a “limited number” of plug-in hybrid RAV4 units to test market feedback. Here’s what we know so far…
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za
 
Toyota SA ‘testing the waters’ on a PHEV RAV4 model

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota SA ‘testing the waters’ on a PHEV RAV4 model

Toyota is in the process of expanding its premium hybrid SUV lineup with the PHEV RAV4 which has been imported in limited numbers as a market research exercise. With the E-Four Hybrid model already on sale, would the addition make sense?
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Toyota RAV4 PHEV (plug-in hybrid): Living with it

FAST FACTS

Model: Toyota RAV4 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid E-Four
Price: N/A
Powertrain: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine plus 2 electric motors
Power/Torque: 225 kW (total system output)/227 Nm+e
Transmission: e-continuously variable transmission (e-CVT)
Fuel consumption: 4.55 L/100 km (source: Toyota Global)
Luggage/Utility space: 580 litres

Summary

The Toyota RAV4 is a relatively conservative model, but a “safe bet” within its segment, which explains its popularity. The PHEV version, however, transforms the RAV4 package into one of the most complete medium-SUV packages I’ve experienced. Even with the spectre of Stage 6 load-shedding, which erodes our confidence in being able to charge electric appliances/devices in our homes whenever we want, the concept of plugging your car into a garage’s wall socket for an overnight charge doesn’t seem alien.

Like an all-electric car, the RAV4 PHEV offers a more than useful range when travelling purely on electric power, but unlike the former, the Toyota has its combustion engine to fall back on if, for whatever reason, its hybrid battery cannot be recharged sufficiently. Besides, after a few years of enduring load-shedding, we have become quite adept at managing the battery charges of our smartphones in between outages.

Performance potential aside, the fact that a fully-charged and fuelled Toyota RAV4 PHEV (plug-in hybrid) can offer a potential range of more than 1 100 km – while continuously working to recover energy and utilise electric propulsion whenever possible – makes it a particularly compelling proposition.

But, there’s a but. With the current top-of-the-range RAV4 2.5 Hybrid VX E-Four already priced at a heady R785 400, at what price point might this potential new flagship derivative come to market?

www.cars.co.za

Toyota RAV4 PHEV: Time for SA to embrace plug-in hybrids?

Toyota South Africa is thinking about launching a RAV4 PHEV (plug-in hybrid). Ian McLaren tested an evaluation unit for an extended period.
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za

DD1D2D8D-6F84-45F8-AD56-6FE5E6E57A07.jpeg9080E2CA-59BC-41B9-8162-C5745CF4FEFE.jpegB4C8DB97-C121-4875-A620-37508350BF2A.jpeg8EC28897-4F7E-4E8C-9608-E9949D8F7C9F.jpeg20549621-64E5-4D74-AEE7-F5C8937B4C33.jpeg
 
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport

A programme of constant evolution and improvement has kept the segment-defining Toyota RAV4 at the top of its game for almost 30 years. True to its track record of regularly introducing fresh ideas to maintain customer appeal, Toyota has successfully applied its world-leading electrification know-how to deliver hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric powertrains, bringing new levels of efficiency while maintaining authentic SUV practicality and performance.

Now it is adding a new, sportier dimension to the RAV4 line-up with the addition of new GR SPORT versions.

Following the successful roll-out of the GR SPORT grades across other model ranges including the Yaris, Yaris Cross, Corolla, C-HR, and Hilux, the RAV4 gains a new styling package and handling tweaks that will resonate with customers who prefer a vehicle with sharper image.

The new grade is available for both the hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric versions with intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD-i) and takes its styling inspiration from the multiple world championship-winning success of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.

Exterior

The GR SPORT treatment makes a bold style statement with the addition of piano black wheel arch trims, side mouldings and back door garnish. To the front there are more prominent fog light bezels with the same black G-mesh pattern as the grille and new front spoilers - finished in dark silver on the hybrid model and, with a different design appropriate to the powertrain, gunmetal grey on the plug-in hybrid. Discreet GR badging on the front grille and back door signify the sportier grade.


83F68B78-0A02-4F8A-8932-E6B22BA11EF1.jpeg3FD6F975-C6D5-4970-8D29-3C01E28AA694.jpeg065022DC-A310-42F4-9671-C7930DF0619C.jpeg7EB7BCC7-2E69-415A-A27F-B0A897AA2002.jpegBA21CB19-49F0-4F75-93A0-1BC65C3C1AEA.jpeg05D08C0E-77A4-4B2E-8E0A-2295351805D3.jpeg3BC4CC05-696B-404B-9698-0FD47E0F8C31.jpeg9B8D8C11-B22B-468C-8CF7-7DE4B7593D3F.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X