To start, let’s find out what the RAV4 is exactly and why so many people love it:
“The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular crossover SUVs for sale in [North America] and for good reason. It’s versatile, holds up to five passengers, and carries with it Toyota’s reputation for durability” –autoblog.com
“Owners say their favourite things about the RAV4 are (in descending order) the exterior styling, visibility and safety, interior design, driving dynamics, and seats”-J.D.Power.com
“Rugged design, competitive pricing, outstanding standard safety features. The quintessential Canadian crossover”-autotrader.ca
Exterior / Styling
“The latest RAV4 sports a more aggressive and rugged look than previous generations, even in base trim. Hard angles, bold forms, and plenty of SUV-style cladding replace the soft curves of previous RAV4’s, and based on J.D. Power’s latest data, owners love the way it looks. In fact, the exterior styling is their favourite aspect of ownership”-J.D.Power.com
Interior / Infotainment
“Every RAV4 has a base 7.0- or optional 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability. A JBL premium audio system, navigation, and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone are optional” –caranddriver.com
Drivetrain / Efficiency
“About three-quarters of RAV4s will have the 2.5-litre engine making a healthy 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, mated to a quick 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine is responsive and blessed with ample acceleration around town, while its two-lane passing power is good for a compact crossover” –autoblog.com
Safety / Technology
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the RAV4 a five-star rating and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a Top Safety Pick+. The RAV4 lineup boasts an array of standard driver assists. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking
Standard lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control” –caranddriver.com
“Toyota RAV4 owners say that visibility and safety rank as their second favourite aspect of ownership, and it’s easy to understand why. Outward visibility is excellent, in part thanks to side mirrors mounted on the doors for improved sightlines to the front corners of the vehicles. Large windows aid the view, too, and the test vehicle had both a 360-degree surround-view camera system with perimeter view capability and an excellent rearview camera mirror with multiple settings” –J.D.Power.com
“Besides its reputation for reliability, the RAV4 has long been synonymous with safety. That notoriety continues with the newest version introduced last year, earning top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for crashworthiness and crash prevention.
Standard fare includes blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beams, lane-keep assist and departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection. It’s an impressive suite of safety features, and Toyota deserves much praise for including it in every RAV4 model” -autotrader.com
How would the pros sum up the appeal of Toyota’s RAV4?
“A compelling choice in a crowded segment, the RAV4’s broad lineup offers something for nearly everyone” -caranddriver.com
And there you have it: great styling, impressive capabilities, great fuel efficiency, plenty of tech and infotainment inside and one of the most sophisticated and complete driver-assist suites available at any price. If you’re looking at a new compact crossover, make sure you look closely at the 2020 Toyota RAV4.
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U.S. model featured in video
Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.
