Toyota RAV4 come in 4 models, EDGE now sits above Cruiser as top dog. The recently released model brings much needed updates and many new technologies. It is a vast improvement on the previous RAV4 model we drove a few years ago. It left me neither impressed or otherwise.
The new model is a different story.
Exterior
Toyota punts the top model at serious weekend warriors. Compared to the dreary design of the previous car that some said might appeal to hairdressers, the new RAV4 EDGE is striking.
We got a battleship grey car that looked like undercoat. The look is much chunkier than before. LED tail lights protrude from the hatch, and automatic LED headlights top off a front end with a lot going on. It is very busy indeed.
There are lines all over the place, just for the sake of it.
Side profile is less busy, but just as angular as the front end. It slopes upwards towards the rear and has a line plonked on the rear pillar. Wheel arches are flat at the top, which looks decidedly odd. EDGE comes only in AWD, and has chunky wheel arch mouldings to match the alleged off-road credentials.
Rav4 EDGE gets 19” wheels with an 18” spare.
Interior
It manages to be roomy, cosy, and practical at the same time.
Seating is comfortable and has memory power adjustment for the driver. Front pews are heated and cooled, but what looks like leather, is in fact, Softex. I can’t tell it isn’t leather, so that’s fine by me. There is, however, real leather on the doors and steering wheel. Oddly, Cruiser, the model below, has partial leather seats.
The dash look modern, chunky, and very serviceable. There is the faint whiff of utilitarian from PT Cruiser here. Cheeky orange rubber linings in the bins, wireless phone charger, and cup holders, looks fabulous. It, and the orange stitching, lifts what would otherwise be grey-on-black affair, to another level.
Similar soft feel rubber is found on the climate and audio controls.
The centre stack houses the ubiquitous floating tablet touch screen, air conditioning, and seat controls. Just under that is wireless phone charging tray, an 8-speed automatic selector, and an array of buttons for on and off-road programmes. She is fully stacked.
Rear seats are elevated slightly, and the cargo hold feels capacious at 580L. It is accessed via a power hatch. That is just the first of many little comforts.
Features
New RAV4 is packed with both convenience and safety features.
There is Dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a Qi wireless phone charger,, and Keyless smart entry and start.
4 of the 5 USB outlets have fast charge, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto will be available at within a few months. Toyota will retrofit any of the newer infotainment systems free of charge. Current buyers will not be left in the in the 20th century.
Drivers get a 7” multi-function display in the instrument binnacle, and the central touch screen is 8”. There is privacy glass for all windows except the front doors and windscreen. Cruiser and EDGE both get a glass sunroof, and 9 speaker JBL sound.
Drive modes for road use are joined fairly extensive by off-road programmes
Drive and Engine
EDGE comes in just one drivetrain.
You get a 2.5L 4 cylinder petrol engine, and an 8-speed automatic. It drives all 4 wheels with a pretty decent AWD system. There is a CVT in all other models, with a manual option on the base GX car.
Power is more than adequate at 152kw and 243Nm, and the whole thing runs on the cheapest 91ron fuel. Toyota claims 7.3L/100k but we got closer to 9. That’s still not bad.
Suspension is typically sophisticated for this kind of SUV. There are Macpherson Struts up front, and trailing wishbones at the back. You waft along in comfort with the smart stuff watching your every move.
Smart cruise control, has a queue function and blind sport monitoring works with active lane control. It stops you from changing lanes unless you indicate, and no one is in your blind spot.
Cruising down the highway was an easy affair. RAV4 did all the driving for me. It favours the left hand side of the lane though, and is far too close to trucks next door for my liking. I can see myself turning it off most of the time.
I hardly felt a gear change regardless of drive mode. Steering was light and brakes had just the right amount of feel.
I enjoyed the drive very much and would happily have gone further.
Safety
Every RAV4 has Toyota Safety Sense which includes:
- Pre-collision safety system (AEB) with day/night pedestrian and day cyclist detection
• All-speed active cruise control (CVT)
• High-speed active cruise control (MT)
• Lane trace assist with steering assist and lane centring function (CVT)
• Lane departure alert with steering assist (MT)
• Road sign assist (speed sign only)
• Auto high beam
It also has: ABS with brake assist, vehicle stability control, active cornering assist, Blind spot monitor, Rear-cross traffic alert, Hill-start assist, Brake hold, Seven airbags (driver and passenger front, front side, side curtain, driver knee), Reversing camera, Front and rear parking sensors, and
ISOFIX child restraint anchors for two rear seats.
Good Bits:
- Comfortable ride
- space
- Brisk acceleration
Not so Good Bits:
- Exterior styling too extreme
- CarPlay not yet available
- Some colours difficult to sell 2nd hand
Summary
RAV4 is the latest in Toyota’s attempt to make cars that aren’t boring. Exterior styling has a lot going on and will appeal to some, but not to others. It is extremely competent on the road and has enough ground clearance to make a decent fist of light off-roading.
Toyota increase warranty to 5 years/unlimited km to meet market expectations, so it does everything right. But with EDGE costing $51000 and some change, it’s an investment that is going to take serious consideration.
Also look at:
Facts and Figures: Toyota RAV4 Edge
- Engine: 2.5 L 4Cyl petrol producing 152kW/243Nm
- Transmission: AWD, 8 speed Auto
- Warranty: 5 Yr/ Unlimited km with 5 Yr roadside assist
- Safety: ANCAP 5 Star
- Origin: Japan
- Price: from $47,140 MLP*
*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.
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