Before Toyota's RAV4's arrival, higher-riding compact sport utilities utilized a body-on-frame truck-like platform, adding weight and a behind-the-wheel experience full of bounce. Most focused a sharp eye towards off-road travel. The term 'crossover' had yet to enter vehicle vernacular.
Toyota's bright idea was to offer the storage versatility of a smallish sport utility with a smoother, pavement-specific ride motivated by either front-wheel or four-wheel drive.
Today, just about all high-volume auto manufacturers offer a compact five-door crossover, now penned as 'cute utes;' and RAV4 largely set the table
During the last decade as cute ute popularity has matured, overall length has increased not only providing more interior comfort, but leaving the door open for another up-and-coming segment.
Toyota's key Asian competitor, Honda, will begin offering an even smaller vehicle than its popular CR-V compact cute ute in early 2015, the aptly named HR-V; a subcompact crossover.
The segment-blazing RAV4 began its U.S. journey in 1996. The first-generation effort included three-door and five-door versions. Three-door efforts were discontinued upon the second-generation redesign in 2001. Fast-forward to the 2013 model year, when a sleek fourth-generation effort arrived, boasting larger exterior dimensions with more interior comfort.
Row two now accommodates three adult riders. All riders enjoy above-average head room. With 60/40-split second-row seats folded down, 73.3 cubic feet of cargo room awaits, one of the largest volumes in the segment. In back, a low-lift up design assists greatly if utilizing the cargo region often.
In 2012, Toyota debuted an all-electric version of RAV4 powered by a plug-in system designed by Tesla Motors. Toyota Motor Corp has a three percent stake in Tesla which solely markets a limited number of plug-in electric models. While only available for sale in California, tepid consumer response led to a quiet exit of the limited range RAV4 EV in 2014.
While no gas-electric hybrid version of RAV4 currently exists, Toyota has plenty of hybrid options from which to choose in its model line, including the venerable Prius line of compact gas-electrics. Toyota's slightly larger Highlander crossover comes with a gas-electric hybrid engine.
RAV4 is available in three 2014 trim levels: LE, XLE and top-level Limited. All come standard with front-wheel drive with Midwest-friendly all-wheel drive optional. In fact, the '4' in RAV4 originally signified four-wheel drive. The RAV portion translates to 'recreational activity vehicle'. Power for all three trims gets delivered via a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter double overhead cam four cylinder delivering 176 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission comes standard on all trims. A 15.9-gallon tank utilizes regular, 87-octane fuel. With all-wheel drive, expect 22 mpg in city travel and 29 mpg highway. Add two miles in each category if opting for front-wheel drive; average, but not class-leading numbers for the compact crossover segment
A nice number of features come standard in all trims, including entry LE. When RAV4 first arrived in the mid 1990's, base models incorporated a more bare bones approach with multi a-la-carte opportunities. Air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, rear window defroster and backup camera all come with the price of admission.
While the 2013 model year ushered in the larger fourth-generation effort, the 2014 RAV4s carries forth this platform with a few minor additions. Mid-grade XLEs add sun visor extenders and chrome interior door handles standard. Up level Limited trims get an available high-tech package bundling lane departure alert to blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Also, a new color, blue-crush metallic, is added to the palate.
Pricing starts at $23,500 for an entry front-wheel-drive 2014 LE. Our tester, an all-wheel-drive XLE draped in the aforementioned blue crush metallic started at $26,400. With a $595 upgraded "Entune" audio system with in-dash navigation, the bottom line ended at$29,136 with $860 destination charge and a few ancillary items (mud guards, first aid kit, etc.) thrown in for good measure.
Supportive front bucket seats sport a high hip height, making ingress and egress more civilized than low-slung sport cars. The three-spoke steering wheel moves manually when tilting or telescoping and includes a 5 o'clock appendage operating cruise control. Push-button start comes standard solely in the up-level limited. Other trims feature a steering column ignition cylinder. Moon roofs come standard in XLE and Limited.
The instrument panel gets housed within deep-set trapezoidal-like frame. The prominent analog center speedometer includes a digital insert window at about 5 o'clock. A large half-circle analog fuel gauge resides directly right while a tachometer is found to the left of the speedometer.
The attractive, well-padded dashboard design remains easy to interpret at a glance, although the multi-function center screen measures in on the small side. In-dash navigation is an XLE and Limited option.
Following a trend with most other compact crossovers, RAV4's rear hatch now opens up from the bottom thanks to a top-side hinge. Before the Gen 4 redesign, the hinge was found on the right, opening like a conventional refrigerator door. The spare tire has also moved inside under the cargo floor, no longer mounted to the back hatch.
Top-level Limited grades include a height-adjustable power-lift hatch standard. Drivers experience minimal blind spots when driving thanks to decent-sized glass. Side mirrors smartly include narrow secondary blinker bands illuminating when operating turn signals. The narrow front grille where the center circular Toyota logo comes to a point in the center, gets flanked by narrow headlight housing.
With the spare tire now tucked inside, designers had a clean slate with which to work. Thick wrap-around tail lights reach around onto the hatch. A narrow rear window with standard wiper butts up against a small top-side spoiler.
While much competition exists, the trend-setting RAV4 remains a competent, comfortable pick.
2014 Toyota RAV4Price as tested: $29,136
Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 176
Wheelbase: 104.7 inches
Overall width: 72.6 inches
Overall height: 65.4 inches
Overall length: 179.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,585 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway (AWD) Toyota's RAV4's arrival, higher-riding compact sport
utilities utilized a body-on-frame truck-like platform, adding weight and a
behind-the-wheel experience full of bounce. Most focused a sharp eye towards
off-road travel. The term 'crossover' had yet to enter vehicle vernacular.
Toyota's bright idea was to offer the storage versatility
of a smallish sport utility with a smoother, pavement-specific ride motivated
by either front-wheel or four-wheel drive.
Today, just about all
high-volume auto manufacturers offer a compact five-door crossover, now penned
as 'cute utes;' and RAV4 largely set the table
During the
last decade as cute ute popularity has matured, overall length has increased
not only providing more interior comfort, but leaving the door open for another
up-and-coming segment.
Toyota's key Asian competitor, Honda,
will begin offering an even smaller vehicle than its popular CR-V compact cute
ute in early 2015, the aptly named HR-V; a subcompact crossover.
The
segment-blazing RAV4 began its U.S. journey in 1996. The first-generation
effort included three-door and five-door versions. Three-door efforts were
discontinued upon the second-generation redesign in 2001. Fast-forward to the
2013 model year, when a sleek fourth-generation effort arrived, boasting larger
exterior dimensions with more interior comfort.
Row two now
accommodates three adult riders. All riders enjoy above-average head room. With
60/40-split second-row seats folded down, 73.3 cubic feet of cargo room awaits,
one of the largest volumes in the segment. In back, a low-lift up design
assists greatly if utilizing the cargo region often.
In
2012, Toyota debuted an all-electric version of RAV4 powered by a plug-in
system designed by Tesla Motors. Toyota Motor Corp has a three percent stake in
Tesla which solely markets a limited number of plug-in electric models. While
only available for sale in California, tepid consumer response led to a quiet
exit of the limited range RAV4 EV in 2014.
While no
gas-electric hybrid version of RAV4 currently exists, Toyota has plenty of
hybrid options from which to choose in its model line, including the venerable
Prius line of compact gas-electrics. Toyota's slightly larger Highlander
crossover comes with a gas-electric hybrid engine.
RAV4 is
available in three 2014 trim levels: LE, XLE and top-level Limited. All come
standard with front-wheel drive with Midwest-friendly all-wheel drive optional.
In fact, the '4' in RAV4 originally signified four-wheel drive. The RAV portion
translates to 'recreational activity vehicle'. Power for all three trims gets
delivered via a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter double overhead cam four cylinder
delivering 176 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission comes standard on
all trims. A 15.9-gallon tank utilizes regular, 87-octane fuel. With all-wheel
drive, expect 22 mpg in city travel and 29 mpg highway. Add two miles in each
category if opting for front-wheel drive; average, but not class-leading
numbers for the compact crossover segment
A nice number of
features come standard in all trims, including entry LE. When RAV4 first
arrived in the mid 1990's, base models incorporated a more bare bones approach
with multi a-la-carte opportunities. Air conditioning, power windows and locks,
cruise control, rear window defroster and backup camera all come with the price
of admission.
While the 2013 model year ushered in the
larger fourth-generation effort, the 2014 RAV4s carries forth this platform
with a few minor additions. Mid-grade XLEs add sun visor extenders and chrome
interior door handles standard. Up level Limited trims get an available
high-tech package bundling lane departure alert to blind spot monitoring and
rear cross traffic alert. Also, a new color, blue-crush metallic, is added to
the palate.
Pricing starts at $23,500 for an entry
front-wheel-drive 2014 LE. Our tester, an all-wheel-drive XLE draped in the
aforementioned blue crush metallic started at $26,400. With a $595 upgraded
"Entune" audio system with in-dash navigation, the bottom line ended
at$29,136 with $860 destination charge and a few ancillary items (mud guards,
first aid kit, etc.) thrown in for good measure.
Supportive
front bucket seats sport a high hip height, making ingress and egress more
civilized than low-slung sport cars. The three-spoke steering wheel moves
manually when tilting or telescoping and includes a 5 o'clock appendage
operating cruise control. Push-button start comes standard solely in the
up-level limited. Other trims feature a steering column ignition cylinder. Moon
roofs come standard in XLE and Limited.
The instrument
panel gets housed within deep-set trapezoidal-like frame. The prominent analog
center speedometer includes a digital insert window at about 5 o'clock. A large
half-circle analog fuel gauge resides directly right while a tachometer is
found to the left of the speedometer.
The attractive,
well-padded dashboard design remains easy to interpret at a glance, although
the multi-function center screen measures in on the small side. In-dash
navigation is an XLE and Limited option.
Following a trend
with most other compact crossovers, RAV4's rear hatch now opens up from the
bottom thanks to a top-side hinge. Before the Gen 4 redesign, the hinge was
found on the right, opening like a conventional refrigerator door. The spare
tire has also moved inside under the cargo floor, no longer mounted to the back
hatch.
Top-level Limited grades include a height-adjustable
power-lift hatch standard. Drivers experience minimal blind spots when driving
thanks to decent-sized glass. Side mirrors smartly include narrow secondary
blinker bands illuminating when operating turn signals. The narrow front grille
where the center circular Toyota logo comes to a point in the center, gets
flanked by narrow headlight housing.
With the spare tire
now tucked inside, designers had a clean slate with which to work. Thick
wrap-around tail lights reach around onto the hatch. A narrow rear window with
standard wiper butts up against a small top-side spoiler.
While
much competition exists, the trend-setting RAV4 remains a competent,
comfortable pick.
2014 Toyota RAV4
Price as tested:
$29,136
Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder
Horsepower:
176
Wheelbase: 104.7 inches
Overall width: 72.6 inches
Overall height: 65.4 inches
Overall length: 179.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,585 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000
miles
Fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway (AWD)