PHOENIX (WWJ) It’s something new for Toyota’s best selling vehicle. You can get any powertrain you want, as long as it’s a hybrid!
Now that doesn’t mean you don’t get a lot of choices with Toyota’s sixth generation RAV4. When you’re going for the heart of the market, you need to give customers a lot of choice.
“At the end of the day we want to give customers the most choice that they can possibly have, and let them dictate where the company then takes them and delivers products for them,” says Owen Peacock, Toyota’s general manager of marketing and communities.
Toyota has added a number of new trims to the RAV4 lineup, seven grades in all, including a performance oriented GR-Sport, and an offroad oriented Woodland grade.
This is a vehicle that hits at the heart of the market, so don’t expect extremes of speed or rock crawling. Off road was more about taking the RAV4 to a remote cabin.
“It is not meant to be that hard core off roader,” says Owen Peacock, Toyota’s general manager marketing and communities. “Rather, it’s going to get you to the trailhead, and you’re going to hop out and go for your hike.”
Toyota bringing me to Phoenix, Arizona to drive several trims through the desert, and even do a brief off road course in the Woodland trim. They were all impressive.
The styling is sporty, but not over the top, and there are variations between trims. You can get core, rugged or sport.
Toyota’s interiors are nicely laid out, very functional, but don’t tend to be overly exciting. The RAV4 continued with this theme. The 12.3 inch screen is integrated nicely. Higher end trims have a head up display that puts information on the windshield in front of you.
The vehicle handled nicely. You can select the driving dynamics you wish–Normal, ECO, Sport or Custom–and the GR-sport trim is quite spirited, with up to 324 horsepower.
The base engine is either 226 or 236 horsepower, depending on whether you want front wheel drive or all wheel drive. That hybrid system gets a combined fuel economy of up to 44 mpg.
The plug in hybrid can get you up to 52 miles of pure electric range, before the gasoline engine kicks in.
Toyota has updated its multimedia screen. Toyota’s system has been in the middle of the pack when it comes to ease of use. First impression is this didn’t change things much. I did have a little trouble with connectivity, and be careful about saying the word “Toyota” when you’re in the vehicle, because there is a “Hey Toyota” voice prompt.
One nice touch is a drive recorder that can capture 20 second video clips from the exterior cameras.
There are a number of connectivity subscription services. You get a one year trial of the convenience ones, a five year trial of those related to safety and service.
Hybrid models of the RAV4 will be built in Kentucky and Ontario. The plug in hybrids will be imported from Japan.
The RAV4 has a starting price of around $30,000, but higher end trims and extras can take the price well up from there.
The sixth generation RAV4 should begin arriving in dealerships in December. The plug in hybrid version is expected to be available in the spring of 2026.