Showing posts with label Toyota RAV4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toyota RAV4. Show all posts

Friday, August 8, 2008

New 2009 Toyota RAV4

2009 Toyota RAV4

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 will start at $21,500 for the base FWD model, an increase of just 0.9% from the 2008 model, and will range up to $27,810 for a Limited equipped with the 3.5-liter, 269 HP V6 and 4WD. Toyota also plans to offer several Extra Value Packages with a variety of options bundled together for, you know, extra value. Press release follows the jump.

August 5, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2009 RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Equipped with numerous enhancements for 2009, the average MSRP for the RAV4 will increase by $224, or 0.9 percent. The 2009 RAV4 will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in early September.

The 2009 RAV4 is offered in three distinct grades - Base, performance-oriented Sport and top-of-the-line Limited - and with a choice between an all-new four-cylinder and powerful V6 engines with either front-wheel drive or electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive.

The base MSRP for the 2009 RAV4 ranges from $21,500 for the Base grade front-wheel-drive with a four-cylinder engine to $27,810 for the Limited grade four-wheel-drive with a V6 engine. Prices for all Base grade models remain unchanged from 2008, reflecting RAV4's excellent value.

All models will also offer Extra Value Packages containing many of RAV4's most popular stand alone option features at substantial savings. Savings on Extra Value Packages for all three grades range from $570 on Base, $1,000 on the Sport, and $2,000 on Limited.

For 2009, RAV4 adds an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is more powerful and more fuel efficient than the previous 2.4-liter engine. In addition, all RAV4 models feature numerous interior upgrades and a stylish new Sport Appearance Package is available for the 4WD V6 model.

All RAV4 models provide enhanced safety and security with the addition of standard front seat active headrests and an engine immobilizer. Comfort, convenience and user technology are also significantly enhanced in 2009 RAV4 models. The Limited grade adds a new standard Smart Entry system that allows the driver to open the vehicle by simply carrying the key fob and grasping the door handle. The Sport and Limited grades offer an available integrated backup camera linked to an electrochromic mirror. Integrated XM satellite radio is a new feature for 2009, and the Sport and Limited grades offer a new low-cost navigation system. All RAV4 models have new standard seat fabric, and the Sport grade exclusively offers a new, unique Charcoal leather option.

Externally, the design of the 2009 RAV4 is freshened with new front and rear styling with a revised grille and front bumper, improved fog light trims and redesigned tail lamps. All models, except the 4WD V6 with the new Sport Appearance Package, include a redesigned rear step bumper with a black protector molding while the Sport Appearance Package receives a clear rear bumper protector. The Base and Limited grades feature new 17-inch alloy wheel designs, and the Limited also adds overfenders, new color-keyed power heated turn signal side mirrors and a unique grille design with chrome accents. The Sport grade adds a unique redesigned rear spoiler.

The Sport Appearance Package available for the 4WD V6 RAV4 model includes an exclusive look with a redesigned rear door featuring chrome accents and no spare tire. The package equips the RAV4 with run-flat tires. Other external cues include color-keyed power heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a stainless steel exhaust tip, unique badging, and the choice of an exclusive exterior color, Elusive Blue Metallic. Inside, the Sport Appearance Package adds a chrome accented shift knob with leather insert, chrome interior door handles, parking brake and vent trim, unique sport grade doorsills and available sport floor mats.

The Sport Appearance Package includes an AM/FM six-disc CD changer with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability and integrated XM® Satellite Radio with a one-year extended complementary service subscription.

The RAV4's standard all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is a low-friction design optimized for performance and fuel efficiency. It produces 179 horsepower at 6,000 RPM, along with 172 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 RPM (versus 166 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of peak torque of the previous 2.4-liter engine). The 2.5-liter engine employs Dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), which controls timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts (compared to the intake-only previous 2.4-liter engine).

The redesigned four-cylinder engine is partnered with a new four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that is more compact, lightweight and efficient than the previous four-speed transmission. The new transmission is not only smoother in operation than the previous one, but more responsive as well. Fuel efficiency is excellent for its class and improved over the 2008 model with EPA mpg estimates of 22 city/28 highway on 4×2 models and 21 city/27 highway on 4×4 models.

The available 3.5-liter V6 is the powerhouse of its segment, generating a class-leading 269 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 246 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 RPM. The V6 is also equipped with dual independent VVT-i to maximize performance and efficiency while reducing emissions. Equipped exclusively with a five-speed automatic transmission, the V6 RAV4 models offer greater fuel efficiency compared to less powerful competitors. The V6 RAV4 can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in under seven seconds, yet has estimated EPA fuel economy mpg ratings of 19 city/27 highway for 4×2 models and 19 city/26 highway for 4×4 models. All RAV4 models meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II) certification.

Source: jalopnik

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Toyota RAV4 Review

Toyota RAV4

The previous generation RAV4 was the right car at the right time. Its overtly 4x4 look, funky bodyshape and excellent on-road manners, meant it was perfectly placed to pick up sales during the soft-roader boom of the mid-Nineties. Toyota stuck to the same formula for the re-launched model in 2000. The look is a little more sophisticated, it's a lot safer and there’s more kit, but the core proposition remains the same. It retains buyer appeal.

Both the VVTi units - the 1.8 and 2.0 - are willing and work well, the 123bhp 1.8 in the front-wheel-drive NV is based on the MR2 and Celica unit. It's reasonably economical, returning a Combined fuel consumption figure of 38.2mpg. It's quick for a 4x4 too - with a 0-60mph time of 12.2 seconds. But the main petrol unit is the 147bhp two-litre. It's swift (0-60mph in 10.9 seconds), but less refined than the 1.8 and fuel consumption is 32.1mpg. Diesel buyers can opt for the 2.0 D-4D, it's lively enough for most people, is quite refined and gives 39.8mpg.

The RAV4 range is made up of three and five-door estates and four trim levels: NV, NRG, GX and VX. NV has air-con, electric front windows, alarm and immobiliser (1.8 NV is two-wheel-drive; all others are four-wheel-drive). NRG is the high-spec three-door choice, with a CD player, colour-coded side panels and wheelarches and larger alloys. GX models have equipment similar to the three-door NV, plus an electric sunroof and CD player. Top-spec five-door is the VX with leather trim, a CD autochanger and colour-coded wheelarch extensions.

The high vantage point will suit drivers of most sizes and shapes and it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. The dashboard is well laid out and all the buttons and switches look good, fall easily to hand and are simple to use. Good all-round visibility helps with parking and motorway overtaking.

The front seats are well profiled for good all-round support, but the three-door is very cramped in the rear and only suitable for two passengers. Five-door is better and is good for two adults or three children.

Old RAV4 was a paragon of reliability and the new one should be no different. It's been on sale for a while and owners report very few problems indeed.

Models that command the best money are the 1.8-litre NV three-door (it's ideal for town-only driving), 2.0-litre VX five-door (generous specification and good performance) and the 2.0 D-4D (although there are few outside the Toyota dealer network).
Source: parkers.co.uk

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