The crossover is noticeably better in appearance and has received previously unavailable equipment, improved quality trim materials and modern safety complexes. The body component of the fourth generation was made of a special lightweight grade of hardened steel. As a result, it allowed to significantly reduce the weight of the car, increasing its aerodynamic properties.
The restyled Toyota RAV4 has an improved body with a slightly modified styling of the nose, which has LED headlights. The car also got a new rear bumper and a luggage compartment door with rear LED lights. A large number of cars have silver protective plates, located on the front and rear bumpers.
The shortened antenna has been changed to a "shark fin" pattern antenna. The design team decided not to limit itself to small modifications, and made quite significant innovations to the exterior of the parkette. As a result, it made it quite easy to distinguish the standard RAV4 from the hybrid version.
The nose of the car has a narrow grille and the original design around the nameplate of the manufacturer. The headlights, which are compact, look very attractive. The front bumper has pronounced ribs on the edges. The design of the front bumper, which has a two-level architecture, looks very original.
The lower part also has an impressive bumper, a high raised "lip" and rather classic round fog lights, which are installed in separate sections almost at the extremity of the front wheel arches. The air intake has a trapezoidal shape, and the upper segment has a narrow slit in the form of a similar trapezoid, compressed in height.
The side of the car from Japan looks chippy and lean. The wheel arches are a little bloated. Also here you can see the presence of original sills, large glazing of doors, accurate roof rails. It won't be superfluous to mention the blown bodies of rear visibility mirrors, which have LED strips of light, which allows repeating the turn signal.
The restyled version became the first car that men began to buy. The stern part of the crossover from Japan also received updates. Therefore, the car got the presence of a retouched bumper and modified lights. The shark fin, which has been replaced with a small antenna, gives the car even more sport and brutality.
It's not hard to see that the design department has done a glorious job on the exterior of their newly redesigned car, introducing a whole list of useful and interesting changes. The rear luggage compartment door design has also been redesigned in accordance with consumer requests.
Previously, the back door of the Toyota RAV4 had a rear wheel, but later, the design team decided that it was not appropriate for an urban crossover, as a result of which the spare wheel disappeared from the back door. But experts from Japan, did not know what to do with now empty surface, so they left it as it is.
Such a solution caused a lot of criticism from customers, as the rear end with a rectangular piece just didn't fit in the overall exterior of the car. Since the last restyling, the door has changed a bit and there is some relief on it, which looks a lot more interesting than it was before.
Simply put, they were able to do what the customers wanted and wanted them to do. A list of comments that was sent to the company, following the release of the fourth generation of the famous crossover, was taken into account in the finalization of the hybrid version. Similar improvements will be applied to the car with standard power units.
At first glance, the interior of the updated RAV4 from Toyota may seem to have few innovations, but this is not the case. Among the updates, we can note the presence of higher-quality trim materials and the new instrument cluster along with a color TFT-display on-board computer, the size of which is 4.2-inch.
Its display can show information about the mode of the four-wheel drive systems, the level of longitudinal and lateral acceleration, fuel consumption, navigation system tips and a list of other necessary information that will facilitate the life of the driver and passengers. However, this is just what you might notice with a quick look around the cabin.
In reality, the quality of sound and noise insulation has been increased (the area of sound insulation was increased by 55%), besides the list of options was expanded. In general, the cabin of the 4th generation reminds cabin of a spaceship, all in a futuristic style, all intuitive and everything is easy to reach.
Armrest already has a soft upholstery, which is very good, around the shift knob, you can no longer find plastic "a la carbon", now there is installed in reality much cheaper, but it looks best of all, as it presents a matte black plastic. The door cards have plastic inserts, and the door handles are covered with sticky plastic instead of slippery, which is very nice.
Among the nice little things, we can highlight the presence of an eyewash, which is located in the roof. Updated Toyota RAV4 has among the accessories a panoramic visibility system with four cameras, which provide 360-degree visibility (on the display of the multimedia system).
Also, there is a modern set of safety systems Toyota Safety Sense, which includes the presence of adaptive cruise control, the system, which can warn of the threat of head-on collision with the option of automatic braking, the system, which is able to monitor for unauthorized crossing the line markings and signs on the road and light control system headlights.
In general, the interior of restyled model looks modern and attractive, and in its design you can feel the premium qualities of the company Lexus. Before the driver presents the presence of three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, beautiful "toolbox" with a stylish dashboard, which has a two-story architecture. The company managed to make the interior in such a way that it corresponds to the trends of modern fashion.
At the very top of the console, installed in the center, is a 6.1-inch monitor of the multimedia system, on the tide is a unit of microclimate. On the sides of the display, there are rectangular-shaped deflectors and a considerable number of buttons to control various systems of the car. The interior is decorated with decorative plates in aluminum colors, located on the dashboard, doors and gearbox panel.
The restyled interior can accommodate a driver and four adult passengers. In front, comfortable seats with good lateral support on the sides and optimum length of the cushion are installed. They also have a large number of adjustments, which will provide excellent visibility, which is very good for our roads.
The rear row of seats has a wide sofa, where you can adjust the angle of the back, as well as more space in all directions. The volume of the luggage compartment is 506 liters, taking into account the not full-size spare wheel and a couple of niches for small items in the "cellar".
However, if necessary, you can fold down the backs of the rear seats, which will eventually provide almost a flat floor with a pair of asymmetrical parts and 1,705 liters of usable volume. On top of that, all modifications to the car, are equipped with a mesh "hammock" to carry particularly valuable cargo.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
POWER UNIT
The fourth generation of the 2016 Toyota RAW4 provides for three powertrains, three transmission variations and two types of drive. The base is considered a gasoline four-cylinder atmospheric 2.0-liter engine, which has a distributed injection, a chain drive timing mechanism and a Dual VVT-i system. As a result, all this allows the engine to develop 146 horses at 6,200 rpm.
As a supplement, it comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a continuously variable CVT. Both front and all-wheel drive are available. Depending on what will be the modification, restyled Japanese crossover will reach the first mark at 100 km/h in 10.-11.3 seconds. Its consumption will be at the level of 7.4-7.8 liters of gasoline per 100 km in the combined cycle. The top speed will be 180 km/h.
Then there is a stronger gasoline four-cylinder power unit, which has a volume of 2.5 liters, 16-valve DOHC type timing and chain drive, and DUAL VVT-i technology. Such volume allows the 2.5-liter engine to produce 180 horsepower.
There is no alternative 6-range "automatic machine" and a system of a full drive to such engine. To reach the first hundred, crossover needs 9.4 km/h, and the maximum speed will be at the level of 180 km/h. The engine consumes no more than 8.6 liters in the mixed mode.
We have not forgotten about the diesel engines. They are represented by 2.2 liters engine, which has 16-valve timing, turbocharger with variable geometry of the nozzle and common rail injection system. The diesel produces 150 horsepower at 3,600 rpm.
It is also synchronized with a non-alternative automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Reach the mark at 100 km / h, the urban Parktronic need about 10 seconds, and the maximum speed of 185 km/h. Per 100 km, the car requires 6.7 liters in combined mode.
TRANSMISSION
The improved 4th-generation Toyota RAV4 comes with a four-wheel drive system with a multi-disc clutch in the rear-wheel drive. In a basic driving situation, all of the traction goes to the front wheels, but if needed, up to 50 percent of the torque can be transferred to the rear wheels.
Moreover, the multi-disc clutch has the ability to forced locking (at speeds up to 40 km / h), with the help of which the potential is shared between the axles constantly in equal shares. For the basis of this crossover took the base of Toyota MC, where there is a load-bearing body structure and a transversely placed power unit.
CHASSIS AND STEERING
The chassis of the car comes with a full-fledged independent suspension, there are McPherson struts in front and a multilever system in the back. The steering in the car is represented by the rack-and-pinion type and in the standard state is supplemented by the electric booster control with variable characteristics. All wheels work with disc brakes and the front ones have a ventilated function. ABS, EBD and BAS systems are supported.
DIMENSIONS
Significant improvements to the front and stern of the city parkett didn't affect the profile and body proportions in any way. Slightly increased, the length of the crossover, now it is 4 605 mm, width of the car was 1 845 mm, and height is 1 670 mm.
The distance between the axles is 2 660 mm, and the height of the ground clearance at the level of 197 mm, which is quite good, considering the quality and scope of this car. In addition to the presence of new wheels, there are three new colors, among which there is the presence of silver (Silver Sky Metallic), black (Black Currant Metallic) and blue (Electric Storm Blue).
One of the novelties was the use of exclusive blue coloring. The whole point is that the Japanese have decided to fight not only for adult customers, but also for young ones. The colors of black, white and silver are suitable for older people, but it is not a secret that something brighter is needed for young people.
SECURITY
Security systems include an immobilizer. Passive safety can include:
- Airbags for the driver's knees;
- A pair of front airbags;
- A pair of side airbags;
- The presence of safety curtains for all rows of seats;
- Brake lights with emergency stop lights.
Active safety and suspension include the presence of:
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS);
- Emergency Brake Assist (BAS);
- Traction control system (TRC);
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution System (EBD);
- Electronic inter-axle differential lock simulation;
- Hill Assist Control (HAC);
- Trailer stabilisation systems (TSC);
- Wheel Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).
The car of Japanese manufacture has all the required electronics. By the way, the 4th generation RAV4 became the first car to be equipped with Bird's Eye View service, and it transmits an image from above to make parking easier. In the 2016 RAV4, there are four cameras, front, rear and a couple on the sides, right on the rear view mirrors, which provide 360-degree all-round visibility.
Toyota Safery Sense has made its debut in the RAV4 and will have various options that provide the required level of safety, which includes a pre-emergency safety system. There's also an auxiliary package that will feature frontal impact warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beam switching, pedestrian detection, and dynamic cruise control.
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 improved its safety ratings as well, gaining high scores from the IIHS and NHTSA. Past models didn't get much of a good rating, especially in the newest tests from 2012.
However, happily, things have changed for the new SUV. The car has eight airbags, which includes protection for the knee area. In addition, there is Bluetooth communication service to control audio systems and smartphones, which allows you not to throw the steering wheel while driving without increasing the risk of accidents.
EQUIPMENT AND PRICES
It would be logical to conclude that the updated variation of the Japanese urban SUV Toyota RAV4 4th generation became more expensive. The start of bids began to work in October, and today, for the model of 2016 in the standard configuration are asked from $23,000
The modification with a variator will cost from 1,502,000 rubles. The all-wheel drive variant with a 146-horsepower engine will cost from 1,601,000 rubles. A 180-horsepower engine will be priced from 1,850,000 rubles. The diesel engine will go from 1,829,000 rubles, and the top version will be priced from 2,168,000 rubles.
The standard configuration after restyling has a 2.0-liter engine, six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive configuration. This package includes LED daytime running lights and rear position lights with LED lighting, fog lights and headlight washers in front, adjustable height and reach of the steering column, air conditioning and additional heater, heated front seats, electric drive outer mirrors, 4-in. 2-inch screen on board computer, power windows on all doors, central locking with remote control, 9 airbags, multifunctional steering wheel, electric power steering, ABS, EBD, BAS, TRC, EBS, VSC-EPS, TSC and HAC.
As the cost of the packages increases, the car will already have, among other things, the presence of fully LED headlights, leather interior trim. There will also be dual-zone climate control, the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with a color display size of 6. 1 inch, eight-way electric driver's seat drive, Smart Entry with Push Start, parking sensors and rear visibility camera, electric tailgate drive, rain and light sensors, rearview mirror blind spot monitoring system (BSM), reverse parking assist (RCTA), downhill assist (DAC) and integrated active driving system (IDDS).
PLUSES OF THE CAR.
- The exterior appearance of the car has become fresher;
- Powertrains have been slightly updated;
- The quality of atmospheric engines, which are less fastidious to fuel than power units with turbines;
- There is a diesel version of the engine;
- Good suspension, which is excellent for the car;
- Spacious and comfortable interior;
- Good maneuverability of the crossover;
- Excellent visibility;
- Representative appearance of the novelty;
- Reliability of the car and its stability on the road;
- A good height of ground clearance;
- All-wheel drive system;
- Good luggage compartment;
- Improved safety;
- A wide range of options provided, even in the basic configuration;
- Various assistants;
- Quite acceptable fuel consumption.
MINUSES OF THE CAR.
- Point restyling itself;
- Despite upgrading the multimedia system, the company did not install a new one, probably due to the desire to hold on to it for the new generation of SUV;
- Some believe that there is still a problem with noise isolation in the car;
- The design is a bit on the nose;
- The interior architecture itself has not been changed;
- High cost of the car.
TO SUMMARIZE THE RESULTS.
As a result, Toyota RAW4 4th generation, after receiving its restyling has become much better, which is already noticeable after the first look at the car. It began to look more youthful, sporty, but at the same time more stylish. Large wheel arches accommodate no less massive rims. The front optics looks very attractive.
The aft end turns out to be a little chunky, but still stylish. Inside the car, it may seem like nothing has been changed, but that's not the case. Although most of the upgrades touched mainly technical plan and various systems, there are differences in the materials themselves, which are also of high quality.
The level of assembly, as always, is at a high level. The manufacturer claims that they have successfully worked on improving the sound and noise insulation of the cabin. The instrument panel is very comfortable and informative. The central console has a display, which helps to manage different services of the car and can display images from the all-around view cameras.
The seats are comfortable and have good lateral support, as well as various adjustments, which also applies to the steering wheel. The back row will be able to accommodate three adult passengers, and they will feel quite comfortable. The luggage compartment has a good volume, which, if necessary, can be increased by folding the backs of the rear seats.
The power units cope with their tasks perfectly, and do not consume so much fuel, which is very good news. The suspension turned out well tuned and it suits the car well. I was pleased with the abundance of options, which are already available even in the basic package.
There are all sorts of systems and assistants, designed to help the driver to control the crossover on the road. The Japanese did not forget and improved the provision of the proper level of safety.
All-wheel drive system, together with a good height of ground clearance, will allow you to pass where ordinary cars can't pass. We hope that the company from Japan, Toyota, will continue to update existing models, as well as release new ones, winning the hearts of motorists.
