Toyota RAV4 — (Face)lift
From spring 2010, the updated version of the RAV4 will be available at Toyota showrooms. This is the second restyling of this generation of crossover, but this time the designers, as rarely, decided to unequivocally change its face. Thus, the term "facelift" has become the most appropriate, because other changes are less noticeable against the background of a changed face.
Maybe this is a new style for all future Toyota models, or maybe the designers are just eyeing the Mitsubishi Outlander, which, as part of the latest facelift, borrowed its face from the compact Lancer? In my opinion, the Outlander did not win either optically or in terms of image - it is better to transfer the style from larger models to smaller ones than vice versa. The RAV4 was luckier than the Outlander. Its new face is borrowed from the Toyota Camry midsize sedan. This is the most important change, but not the only one.
Look for more changes under the hood. It was here that the 2.0 Valvematic gasoline engine with 158 hp appeared. (8 hp more than its predecessor). It can now also be combined with the Multidrive S continuously variable transmission with specific seven virtual gears - only available with this engine. For lovers of diesel engines and a comfortable ride on the machine, a classic 6-speed automatic transmission is in store. The clearly weaker diesel, the 150 hp 2.2 D-CAT generating 340 Nm of torque, was dangerously strong for the Multidrive CVT belt, not to mention the more powerful 177 hp. and 400 Nm of torque.
Front-wheel drive versions are available only with a manual transmission, which, in terms of cost, can and does make sense - as if to save on everything. A few kopecks cheaper here, a few less parts there, and the price of the basic version is PLN 87.500. Toyota convinces us that a real, comfortable RAV4 with an automatic should have all-wheel drive, as if the RAV4 was designed to melt in the mud three times before breakfast. But let's remember what RAV3 stands for: Active Recreational Vehicle with All-Wheel Drive. The sale of 4-wheel drive cars called RAV4 is already missing assumptions, and to continue to pretend that driving on flat asphalt for RAV2 is not the correct use of this car is already too much. After all, it is known that most buyers will never leave the notorious asphalt for real off-road. So why limit those who do not intend to claim anything and want to buy a front-wheel drive version combined with a comfortable automatic?
For the editorial test, we received a RAV4 2.2 D-CAT diesel engine with a power of 150 hp. with a manual 6-speed gearbox, equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and power adjustment of everything possible. It is impossible to deny Ravka a large availability of this equipment, but trying to take the correct position in the car, I ran into some problems. The seat really wants to get ridiculously close to the steering wheel, but doesn't move too far back. I know that my 2-meter height is not standard, but I somehow fit into other Toyotas, and this time, having exhausted all the ranges, I landed with my knee on the air conditioning control panel - and lay there for a whole week. I puzzled over why this was so, until during a photo shoot I opened the sun visor and found behind it ... a mirror so large that even my shoes can be seen in it. Well ... everything is clear. This car was liked by the most beautiful half of mankind. Women have chosen it for a long time, and Toyota had no choice but to take a step in their direction - giving them larger mirrors or making it easier to park with a camera that displays an image behind the car on the screen when reversing.
In the cabin, you can not complain about well-being. Navigation (speaking in a funny, fabulous female voice) pleasantly surprised, now you can give voice commands, even search for POIs. The small and comfortable multi-function steering wheel is flattened down like a sports car and fits comfortably in your hands, the seats are comfortable and rear passengers have plenty of headroom and easily adjustable underseat seats. However, at first the driver will be surprised by the ergonomics of the cabin. Buttons for various functions are located, to put it mildly, chaotically. The LOCK 4WD button landed next to the navigation. On the other side - too far away - there is an alarm button. Seat heating landed on the bottom of the console, for example, the right seat had a bottom button, not a right one. Look under the armrest to adjust the mirrors. You get used to what I had to do, but I did not expect such frivolity in such a correct and polite car as the RAV4.
Access to the trunk also requires getting used to, the sash of which traditionally does not lift up, but opens to the right (it has hinges on the right side and a door handle on the driver's side). On one side, the driver is closer to the door handle. On the other hand, the open door makes it difficult to access the trunk from the sidewalk when we park the car on the right side of the road. After a week of driving, I found that the practical benefits of this solution far outweighed the potential problem of sidewalk luggage.
In road traffic, Toyota is moving away from the image of a car for women a little. By drawing a portrait of this car based on driving experience, we get a crude and fancy vehicle for tough guys who are not looking for a car floating over bumps in the road, listening to the full extent of heavy music that allows them to not notice the clear sounds of a badly muffled diesel (especially in front of it). heating).
150 hp engine handles the car well, accelerating it from 100 to 10,2 km/h in 190 seconds and reaching a top speed of 7 km/h. In addition to his audibility in the cabin, there can be not the slightest objection to him. Fuel consumption on the highway is 100 liters per 10 km with a quiet ride, and in the city and on the highway about 100 liters per 1200 km. It is very flexible, allowing you to ride without changing gears even from 3 rpm. Shifting is light and precise, although it does take a bit of forward tilt to get used to the stick - when it's in neutral it feels like it's in XNUMXrd gear.
The facelift did not change anything in the suspension of the car, nor in its off-road performance. The car boasts 190mm of ground clearance, a rear-locking center differential and short overhangs for good exit and entry angles. So if any Toyota customer wants to show their friends where the pepper grows, they will probably get to the plantation without too much trouble.
As mentioned above, thanks to the possibility to purchase the basic version with front-wheel drive, the price of the new RAV4 starts from PLN 87.500 for the 158 hp petrol unit. The version with a diesel engine is much more expensive: PLN 111.300 2,2, which is a considerable "merit" of the high excise tax for a car with an engine capacity of 3 liters. Standard equipment includes airbags and air curtains, traction control and stability control, as well as an emergency braking system, manually controlled air conditioning, a 16-year warranty, an assistance package and 6.500-inch alloy wheels. You will pay PLN 2.600 for navigation, PLN 3.600 for metallic paint, and PLN 6.400 for sills and bumper covers. Buying an all-wheel drive costs PLN, and an automatic transmission Multidrive S costs PLN.
RAV4 is a car aimed at city dwellers who value confidence. Four-wheel drive is useful in winter for skiing, and in summer for a trip to the country, and thanks to the correct proportions and appearance, this car can also be used for a business meeting in a suit. The versatility of a car plus a good brand plus reliability (after a media campaign, all accusations against Toyota were finally dropped) makes for an attractive combination of advantages, useful for all occasions. The car does not cause special emotions, but this is one of its few disadvantages. So if you're not XNUMXm tall and don't expect people to shake their heads at the car, go ahead and aim for Ravka - other expectations will come true.
