Fourth generation Toyota RAV4. Fourth generation Toyota RAV4 Rav 4 release

1. Not bad performance of the variator, which itself adapts to the driving style and does not become dull (When buying, I tested a 2.5L automatic transmission, I thought that the 2.0L CVT would be much dumber, but I would not say that this is so). Acceleration dynamics in the city are quite sufficient. There are no failures. As soon as you press the gas pedal, the car just drives (of course you can’t compare it with a BMW, but for 146 hp it’s not bad either)2. I really like the black plastic around the perimeter of the body and on the bumpers. When purchasing, I considered this a design flaw, but in practice it turned out to be very practical, especially on bumpers (in front of stones, and in the back when loading/unloading luggage). In the restyled version, the rear bumper is already half painted and, accordingly, will be rubbed down when loading/unloading luggage.3. The thresholds are well protected from dirt (they are completely covered by the door panel).4. Multimedia is not bad, the camera works great compared to its competitors, the sound is pleasant, it reads files from a flash drive and from a phone via Bluetooth. There is no navigation, but there is a Mirror Link (mirror the smartphone screen on the car screen). This thing is controversial, it does not work with all smartphones and only with certain software, which in practice only adds navigation functions to the smartphone and then only via wires (since music is already available via Bluetooth). 5. Not bad geometric cross-country ability for a crossover. Of course, it catches the diagonal quickly, and the base is a bit long, but still in this regard it is better than the Mazda CX-5, Outlander, Honda CR-V and the Koreans. There is a forced connection of the rear axle and disabling ESP. 6. Very spacious interior (especially a lot of space for rear passengers) and trunk (especially in the version with storage). With the rear row of seats folded down, you can load objects up to 2m long.

1. Very harsh reaction of the rear suspension to the wheels falling into potholes and road surface joints (which was eliminated during restyling in 2015).2. A very weak windshield (a problem with all Toyotas), it breaks from small stones and cracks (I had the same thing on a Corolla)3. I don’t like the quality of the paint on the silver plastic inserts on the front panel and in the doors, they are very delicate, the paint wears off (and this even happens on Kruzak cars).4. Although the climate is two-zone, it is rather weak for the rear passengers; they do not have separate deflectors; in order to heat or cool there, you need to adjust the climate to your detriment.5. Some buttons are out of sight, and the window control buttons are located behind the door handle (it’s not convenient to reach for them and bend your hand).6. The on-board computer has become more complicated, and useful functions have been reduced: There is no digital value for instantaneous fuel consumption, and the average speed and travel time are reset to zero each time the ignition is turned off.

Since February of this year, Russian Toyota dealers have announced the start of official acceptance of orders for the popular RAV4 crossover of the 2014 model year.

It is worth noting that the fourth generation of the car, which went on sale at the beginning of 2013, has noticeably changed compared to its predecessor. Moreover, the changes affected not only the exterior, but also interior decoration machine, as well as its technical component. Speaking about the appearance of the new product, we can confidently note that the crossover has begun to look more modern and stylish. The exterior of the car was filled with swiftness, enthusiasm and acquired a slight aggressiveness. According to the designers and marketers of the manufacturing company, the 2014-2015 Toyota RAV 4 is designed to attract the attention of not only the younger generation of potential buyers, but also older people. The main target audience of the crossover should include middle-aged male drivers who want to stand out in traffic.

The body of the fourth generation RAV4 is made of several types of light steel, which made it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the crossover. In addition, the Japanese company’s specialists did a good job of making the car’s aerodynamic drag lower than that of the previous version. Thus, when designing the body, innovative technological solutions were used to optimize the distribution of incoming air flows. The front of the car is made in a completely different style than the front of its predecessor. Narrow headlights fit very organically into the complex terrain of the car's two-component front bumper.

The aft part of the RAV 4 was equipped with a more modern and practical door, which began to open upward rather than sideways. The unusual geometry of the stylish rear lights, as well as the small, neat bumper, also attracts attention. The dimensions of the car, with the exception of its height, have grown slightly. The length of the machine is 4570 mm, width – 1845 mm, and height – 1670 mm. Engineers from Toyota left the wheelbase at the same level – 2660 mm.

As for the interior changes, the updated crossover has changed quite significantly in this component as well. Finishing materials, used in the interior design of the Toyota RAV4 2014-2015, are borrowed from the popular Camry sedan and can have a variety of designs depending on the buyer’s choice. The front panel has been redesigned, making it more elegant and modern. It is noteworthy that some of its futuristic elements did not in the least prevent it from providing highest level ergonomics of the driver's seat. The center console began to look more massive, and the steering wheel gained additional functionality. There was no more free space in the car. And although the interior of the crossover cannot be called cramped, the RAV4 is clearly inferior to most of its competitors in this regard. The rear seats fold in a 40:60 ratio, increasing luggage space to 1,705 liters.

For Russian buyers, the Toyota RAV4 is available with diesel or one of two gasoline engines. The youngest of the gasoline units is a four-cylinder 2-liter engine with a timing chain drive. The power of this engine is 146 hp. Peak engine torque is at 187 N*m, achieved at 3600 rpm. These figures allow the engine to accelerate the crossover to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. Maximum speed car speed is 180 km/h. The second gasoline engine for the new Toyota RAV4 is another four-cylinder unit, the displacement of which is 2.5 liters. The flagship engine develops a maximum of 180 hp. Its peak torque is 233 Nm at 4100 rpm. The dynamics of acceleration of the car to hundreds is 9.4 seconds, and the maximum speed indicator is equal to those or 180 km/h.

The only diesel power unit has four cylinders and has a displacement of 2.2 liters. It has a power of 150 hp, which it develops at 3600 rpm. The presented diesel engine is characterized by high performance. With a peak torque of 340 Nm at 2000 – 2800 rpm, the car can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 10 seconds. At the same time, the diesel unit is distinguished by a high degree of efficiency. Thus, in urban driving mode, the average fuel consumption for such an engine does not exceed 6.5 liters per 100 km.

The range of Toyota RAF 4 2014-2015 gearboxes is also quite extensive. The buyer will be able to choose a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, as well as a modern continuously variable transmission, which will now be available for front-wheel drive vehicle trims.

It should be noted that the updated crossover received a completely new all-wheel drive system. There is nothing revolutionary in it, however, it is worth noting that all electronic components were developed from scratch and special attention paid to “intellectuality” in work. According to the manufacturer, the car has become more controllable and stable, and its off-road qualities allow the car to be used not only on snowy city roads with high sidewalk curbs. The four-wheel drive used is not permanently connected. As needed, the electromagnetic clutch turns on the system, distributing torque along the axes in a 50:50 ratio. In normal operation of the system, torque is redistributed automatically between those wheels that have the best degree of grip on the road surface. The driver has three operating modes at his disposal: Sport, Auto and Lock.

It was decided to leave the independent type suspension unchanged. The developers only slightly adjusted its settings, ensuring the necessary smoothness when passing road imperfections. MacPherson struts were used at the front, and double wishbones were used at the rear. The chassis itself has become much stiffer. The steering was complemented by an electric power steering, the settings of which have been refined.

The new Toyota RAV 4 2014-2015 is equipped with all the necessary active safety systems and electronic driver assistants. The basic configuration of the crossover includes a pair of front and a pair of side airbags, a driver's knee airbag and two curtain airbags.

Toyota RAV 4 prices and configurations 2015

The manufacturer has provided a wide range of vehicle configurations supplied to the Russian market. In total, dealers can offer six versions of the popular crossover. A car in the basic “Classic” version with front-wheel drive, a manual transmission and a 2.0-liter gasoline engine will cost the future owner 1,255,000 rubles. The list of equipment for this version of the RAV 4 includes halogen headlights, LED DRLs, air conditioning, heated and power-adjustable mirrors, heated wiper areas, electric windows front and rear, heated front seats with 2 settings, audio preparation for 4 speakers. An audio system with USB/AUX and Bluetooth ports appears in the “Standard” package.

The “Comfort” and “Comfort Plus” equipment levels include electric folding mirrors, climate control, rain and light sensors, cruise control, rear parking sensors, and the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia complex with a 6.1-inch display. In the Comfort Plus version, xenon headlights with washers are installed instead of halogen ones.

The Elegance Plus package involves equipping the crossover with an electric tailgate with position memory and an adjustment drive driver's seat in 8 directions, an intelligent interior access system, a push-button engine start system, front parking sensors, 18-inch wheels. The top version of the Toyota RAV 4 with the “Prestige Plus” level of optional content additionally receives several electronic assistants (monitoring blind spots, reversing out of a parking lot, etc.), as well as a Russian-language navigation system.

Technical characteristics of Toyota RAV 4 2015

Photo Toyota RAV 4 2014-2015

Among Toyota crossovers, one of the best-selling models is the RAV4. The popularity of this car is so high that over the 10-year production period the company produced 4 generations of RAV4. And all the time the crossover was in excellent demand.

The 2014 Toyota RAV4 is the latest generation. During the modernization, the crossover received a number of design innovations.

Exterior, dimensions, interior

Appearance RAV4 latest generation has changed significantly. The radiator grille of the new product is divided in the center into two parts by a wide insert on which the company nameplate is located. The edges of the grille halves smoothly merge with the headlights. The headlights were provided with an oblong shape, which floats significantly onto the wings. The front bumper has become even more massive, which provides some aggressiveness to the appearance. The transition to the windshield was made even smoother, providing better aerodynamics.

The rear part also acquired smoother lines. The rear lights were placed not vertically, like its predecessor, but horizontally with an influx onto the trunk lid. We also got rid of the space for mounting the spare wheel on the trunk door. The new model has a spare wheel located in a special niche located at the bottom of the trunk.

In addition to the new appearance, the RAV4 also received slightly different overall dimensions. The crossover has become 20 cm longer, this parameter for the 4th generation RAV4 is 4,570 m. The width has also increased, but not significantly, by only 3 cm, and is 1,844 m. But the height of the new product has decreased by 2.5 cm, and is equal to 1,670 m The designers increased ground clearance crossover up to 197 mm.

The dashboard has changed significantly. On the instrument panel, the main place is occupied by the speedometer well located in the center, in which the on-board computer display is located. The remaining information devices were installed on the sides of this well. The main place on the center console is occupied by the multimedia system display, on the sides of which there are air ducts. Below the display are controls for the audio system and the interior climate control system. The instrument panel has a specific shape, in which access to the elements located at the top of the console is very convenient, but access to the remaining keys located under the top will be difficult.

To store various things on the dashboard there is a wide, non-closeable niche in the upper part of the panel and a lockable glove compartment in the lower part.

Technical indicators of engines and transmissions

The line of power plants is presented in the form of several engines, so the Toyota RAV4 technical specifications and figures may vary.

The first of the engines is a 2.0-liter. This is a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated power plant running on gasoline. The power that this unit is capable of developing depends on design features and can be 145 or 151 hp.

The latest in a series of engines installed on this crossover is a diesel unit. Its volume is 2.2 liters, but thanks to the installed turbocharging, it is capable of developing 150 hp.

There are also several transmissions. There are a choice of 6-speed manual, CVT and automatic transmission. Moreover, certain types of gearboxes are combined only with specific engines.

The 2.0i unit can be equipped with a manual transmission or a CVT. And for the 2.5-liter unit, only a 6-speed automatic transmission is available. The diesel RAV4 goes on sale either with a manual transmission or an automatic transmission.

Depending on the vehicle’s engine, transmission and drive configuration, the maximum speed varies from 180 to 190 km/h. The acceleration dynamics also depend on the staffing. A car with a 2.5-liter unit accelerates the fastest, reaching a hundred in 9.4 seconds. The slowest is the crossover with a 2.0i unit and a CVT; it needs 11.1 seconds to reach the same speed. But a test drive of a Toyota RAV4 can show what a car with this or that configuration is capable of.

Options, cost

The basic package is “Standard”. What’s noteworthy is that a car with this configuration and a 2.0-liter engine is front-wheel drive. The rest of the cars, regardless of engine and configuration, are equipped with all-wheel drive.

The basic equipment includes electric windows on all doors, an adjustable steering column in two directions, mechanically adjustable front seats and their heating, air conditioning, an audio system with 4 speakers, and fabric trim. The crossover is equipped with a significant number of auxiliary systems and safety systems.

There are also configurations “Comfort”, “Comfort+” and “Elegance+”. Cars in these trim levels have slightly better equipment than in the basic version. “Prestige+” is the richest package in terms of equipment.

A car in its simplest design has a cost of 1 014 000 rub. The more equipment a car has, the more its cost increases. The most expensive is a diesel crossover with an automatic transmission and the richest configuration. Its price is 1 582 000 rub.

The car really differs from its competitors in the crossover class. It is distinguished primarily by its originality - if most modern cars from Japan are aimed at the European market, then the RAV 4 did not adapt to the current fashion. The photo shows that the crossover looks unusual; in real life, the wavy lines of the body look even more impressive. Our test drive will demonstrate to you the technical and dynamic capabilities of the RAV 4, the design with which they will help us high quality photos, as well as reviews from owners. Let's start with a little introductory word about this model.

The first car with a nameToyotaRAV4 left the production lines back in 1994. It was a significant event in the automotive world, because the developers of RAV 4 opened up to motorists new class SUVs, the feature of which was a load-bearing body - this class was called “crossovers”. During its existence, the car went through a couple of generations, and also went through a lot of restyling, as a result - we are faced with a RAV 4 with excellent off-road capabilities, a unique, effective design, and an acceptable price offer. The price remains low even today when compared with European analogues, although the characteristics for off-road driving are quite high, as our test drive showed.

The name stands for “RecreationActiveVehicle” - this translates into Russian as “vehicle for active recreation.” And it’s worth saying that the RAV 4 remains true to its name - many drivers around the world choose it as a reliable travel partner in harsh conditions. And the 2014 restyling is unlikely to change the situation - perhaps for the better. But why do they love this car? Our test drive will tell you what the price and technical characteristics are, and also show the pros and cons. Let's begin.

Appearance

Of course, the test drive should start with a description of the appearance of the RAV 4; high-quality photos will help us with this. As our drivers say, the body design looks amazing. And in truth, the body does not look ordinary; on the road the car stands out from the traffic flow. Latest restyling added appearance auto of masculinity. If earlier the RAV 4 could be called a “unisex car,” now it is a more respectable crossover. Owner reviews note that the appearance of the latest generation Toyota RAV4 resembles a smaller Lexus. And this is a completely fair comparison - the designers borrowed quite a few elements from their other project. Compared to the previous version, there are not so many changes in the RAV4 2014-2015 model year: now there is no spare wheel on the rear door - they decided to move it to the luggage compartment. The rear trunk door opens upward, almost like in all modern cars.

The big discovery was the news that Toyota is not going to release the RAV 4 2014-2015 model year in a shortened version. Some reviews from owners hint that Russian drivers are not happy with this turn of events. Now the dimensions will be equal, regardless of the crossover version. The car has grown by 30 millimeters in width, the length has increased by 205 mm, and the ground clearance is now 197 mm. As for the increase in ground clearance, this move improved off-road capabilities. In general, now the RAV4 2014-2015 model year has the following dimensions:

• Length – 4570 mm;
• Width – 1845 mm;
• Height – 1670 mm;
• Wheelbase width – 2600 mm;
• Ground clearance – 197 mm.

Inside the car

The interior of the updated 2014 crossover was also not left without innovations. Some drivers, as reviews from owners show, were saddened that even those interior elements that were present in all generations were transformed. But there is good news: the stepped design of the front panel has become even more stepped. Japanese designers clearly took inspiration from the landscapes of the future, resulting in an unusual futuristic style.

As you can see in the photo, the crossover inside looks more like a spaceship. This is especially true for the driver's seat. But the designers approached everything very competently - the broken lines of the interior, which go around the dashboard and run along the door trim, look harmonious against the background of other smooth transitions. Toyota decided that the controls for the climate control, as well as other electronics, were in the wrong places, so now all these elements are located differently. The test drive showed that the ergonomics were not affected, but you still have to get used to it.

As for the driver's seat, owner reviews about it are extremely positive - excellent seating position, a huge number of settings. And passengers will sit on no less comfortable sofas, which are even equipped with settings as standard. The situation with the steering wheel is just as rosy - the driver will be able to find a comfortable position for the steering wheel using an electronic drive. Drivers who took the test drive appreciated the soft and comfortable armrest located between the passenger seat and the driver's seat (photo).

Large luggage space with seats folded down

It’s not entirely clear why the 2014 interior has carbon fiber trim – many reviews from owners say that it doesn’t look entirely harmonious in the crossover. But we were pleased with the traditional digital clock, which has traditionally been installed in Toyota cars since the 1990s. What’s especially pleasing is how they harmonize with the state-of-the-art multimedia system. We almost forgot about the luggage compartment, which was also examined during the test drive. The volume of the luggage compartment is 506 liters. This is a good indicator, considering that the spare tire eats up a lot of space. Of course, the space can be significantly increased by folding the rear row of seats.

SUV technical characteristics

Now let’s check what technical characteristics the updated crossover of the 2014 model year has. For the Russian Federation, the RAV4 comes with two gasoline units and a powerful diesel engine. There are also plenty of gearboxes: 6-speed automatic/manual and even the ultra-modern Multidrive S CVT. By the way, for the first time, a CVT will be available for versions with front-wheel drive. But let's take a look at the engines, as well as their technical and dynamic characteristics.

The 2-liter engine is now considered the youngest in the Toyota RAV 4 2014-2015 range. The engine has 4 cylinders and a timing mechanism. As for power, the engine produces 146 horses at 6200 rpm, peak torque is 187 N*m. Dynamic performance: from 0 to 100 km in 10.2 seconds, maximum speed – 180 km/h. The choice of gearbox does not affect the maximum speed. The 2-liter engine comes with either a manual transmission or a CVT - the car is available with both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. The downside for Russian drivers will be the news that the updated RAV 4 is preferred by the 95th. But by purchasing high-quality gasoline, you will noticeably benefit in savings: in mixed mode the car consumes 8 liters, on the highway - 6.5 liters, in the city - about 10 liters.

Expressive facial features of Rav 4

The second version of the power plant includes a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, which is also equipped with 4 cylinders. Essentially, this engine is an upgraded version of the previous unit, so the components are almost the same. Its technical and dynamic characteristics are as follows: power 180 hp, torque – 233 N*m. The maximum speed is 180 km/h, but the RAV4 2014 accelerates faster with a 2.5-liter engine - the speedometer needle reaches from 0 to 100 km in 9.4 seconds. But there is also an unpleasant point - this engine only comes with an automatic transmission. But the economy here does not suffer at all: in the combined cycle - 8.5 liters, in the city - 11.5 liters, on the highway - 8.5 liters.

Diesel and chassis

Now it's time to look at the only diesel. This is a 4-cylinder D-4D with a volume of 2.2 liters. Its power is 150 horses, which burst out from under the wheels at 3600 rpm. The diesel engine has very high performance - maximum torque of 340 N*m is achieved at 2000-2800 rpm. The maximum speed is 185 km/h; this version of the RAV 4 accelerates to hundreds in 10 seconds. Like the top-end petrol variant, the diesel comes exclusively with an automatic transmission. As for fuel consumption, the test drive showed the following results: in mixed mode - 6.5 liters, in the city - 8.6 liters, on the highway - 5.8 liters.

I checked our test drive and the most important thing in the Toyota RAV 4 is the all-wheel drive system. Thanks to electronic stabilizing descent and ascent systems, various assistants, as well as very stiff suspensions, the Toyota SUV demonstrates excellent off-road capabilities, although it does not have the most powerful power plant. The test drive demonstrated that the car copes well with serious offroad conditions. As for the ordinary road, the Toyota RAV4 2014-2015 is not so strong here - some reviews note that there is not enough softness on smooth asphalt. As for safety, the test drive showed extremely positive results: in addition to a huge number of airbags, the car is equipped with all modern electronic systems aimed at ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.

Prices and options

As was written above, price is also quite a strong point of the car. And in 2014 the price remained low:

• The price for the basic package is 998,000 rubles. This includes front-wheel drive, a 2-liter engine and manual transmission transmission
• The price for an all-wheel drive version with a CVT, but with the same engine, will already be 1,143,000 rubles.
• As for the top version, where a 2.5-liter engine is installed, the price for it is 1,568,000 rubles. The price for assembling a Toyota 2014 with a diesel engine has been reduced by several thousand – 1,562,000.

Review

“I began to be interested in this model back in 2012. After studying all the reviews and technical specifications, I realized that it was better to wait for the 2014 version. And the price hasn't increased much. AcquiredFourth generation RAV4 3 months ago. So far there are no problems. I’m satisfied with the car’s behavior off-road, and in the city I don’t experience any problems with comfortable movement. I took the version with all-wheel drive and a 2-liter engine. Drive is not my thing, and the price for the 2.5-liter version is much higher. The price for my equipment in the summer was a little more than a million rubles.”

We first saw the new Raf 4 2013-2014 at the presentation in Los Angeles in 2012. The production of crossovers began back in 1994, 19 years ago, during which time four generations of this car were produced.

The new Rav4 2014 has significantly changed its appearance and interior; it is designed in the style of the new Toyota Auris 2. But this applies to the front and rear of the car, but if you look closely in profile, you can see similarities with the new 2013 Ford Kuga.

As for the overall dimensions of the updated Rav4 2014, it has become longer and wider, allowing the trunk to be increased to 547 liters, but the ground clearance is lower than that of the previous generation.

• Length: 4,569 mm, 124 mm longer than its predecessor;
• Width: 1,844 mm, 29 mm larger;
• Height: 1,661 mm, 24 mm less than the previous generation;
• Ground clearance: 190 mm.

According to the manufacturers, the new crossover uses two new types of steel. Due to this, the design of the crossover has become stronger and lighter, the trunk door opens upward, and the spare wheel is attached under the bottom.

Inside the car, the dashboard (panel) has completely changed; it is now oriented towards the driver and looks flatter. The center console has been modified, a 6.1-inch multimedia system with a rear view camera, eight airbags and a new steering wheel have been installed.

Raf 4 new 2013-2014 price and configuration

The crossover comes standard with a 2.5 liter power unit that produces 176 horses. All this is transmitted to the wheels by a new generation six-speed Sequential Shift automatic transmission. The new car will enter the European market with an expanded range of engines, it will be a 2.0 liter engine (150 hp) and 2 diesel units with a 2.0 liter volume (122 hp) and 2.2 (148 hp)

Traditionally, the Japanese crossover has both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions of the crossover. The new machine is equipped with a modern 4-wheel torque distribution system. In normal mode, when only front-wheel drive is operating, the system automatically engages the rear wheels when the wheels slip, this allows significant fuel savings and saves wear on the rear axle shafts.

All trim levels will be equipped with an automatic transmission with sport mode. A new feature of the Rafik: when downshifting, a double shift will be performed.

New Raf 4 2013-2014 photo

Rav 4 2013-2014: test drive, video