Express & Star

Toyota's RAV4 now available in hybrid

Published
Last updated

Toyota is introducing hybrid power to the RAV4 in one of the most significant changes to the model since it created the European compact recreational SUV market in 1994.

more

The new model range is now available to order in the UK, with a choice of powertrains which includes the 2.5-litre full hybrid, a new 2.0-litre D-4D diesel and a revised 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol with improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Both front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions are offered. Active 2.0 D-4D front-wheel drive. On-the-road

prices from £23,695.

At the same time Toyota is upgrading equipment specifications across the board and introducing Toyota Safety Sense – a package of integrated active safety and driver assistance features – as an option on all versions of RAV4 beyond the entry-point model.

Toyota is offering customers more choice and improved equipment specifications with a new five-grade line-up that introduces Business Edition Plus trim and changes the flagship designation from Invincible to Excel.

The entry level Active grade features the new 2.0 D-4D diesel engine and comes equipped as standard with a wealth of extra equipment features. These include the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with touchscreen, six-speaker audio system with DAB radio, cruise control, sunglasses holder, shark fin antenna and leather steering wheel cover. This is an addition to current items including 17in alloys, LED daytime running lights, air conditioning, rear privacy glass and electric door mirrors.

The RAV4 Business Edition – also powered by the 2.0-litre diesel engine – gains front and rear underruns. Elsewhere it retains its high-value specification, with highlights including Toyota Touch 2 with Go navigation and on-board connectivity system, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, front fog lamps, retractable door mirrors, automatic headlights and wipers, rear-view camera and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The new Business Edition Plus is launched as a hybrid/front-wheel drive-only grade and comes with LED front and rear lights, a power tailgate, keyless entry and push-button start.

All three powertrains and front and all-wheel drive options are offered in Icon trim. Key additional features include 18in machined-finish alloy wheels, LED headlamps, combination leather and Alcantara upholstery, electrically-adjustable driver's seat (with power-adjustable lumbar support), heated front seats and an Alcantara dashboard finish. On these models the Toyota Touch 2 system is provided with an optional upgrade to Go status with satellite navigation and connectivity functions.

The Excel models adopt the full Toyota Touch 2 with Go package, plus leather upholstery, roof rails and front and rear parking sensors.

Toyota Safety Sense is available as an option (£695) on all versions of the new RAV4, apart from Active grade. The package of integrated active safety and driver assistance includes a radar-controlled Pre-Collision System that can detect both vehicles and pedestrians on the road ahead. This works in conjunction with a pre-collision brake and brake assist to alert the driver to the imminent risk of a collision, prepare the brakes to deliver extra stopping power and, if the driver fails to react, to initiate braking autonomously.

The same radar unit also equips RAV4 with adaptive cruise control, which helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Other features include road sign assist, which recognises principal motorway and major route signs and repeats on the TFT screen in the driver's instrument binnacle.

Camera sensors monitor the white lines of motorways and major dual carriageways to provide a lane departure alert, warning the driver if the vehicle strays out of its lane without the turn indicators being used. The same system also provides a new sway warning, detecting from irregular vehicle movements that the driver may be becoming drowsy. If it believes the driver's attention is becoming potentially unsafe, it will flash up a sway warning alert on the TFT screen with a coffee cup image, recommending the driver takes a break from the wheel.

Toyota Safety Sense is completed by automatic high beam, which maximises full-beam headlight operation. The system detects oncoming traffic and vehicles ahead and automatically dips the lights, returning them to full beam as soon as the road ahead is clear. This function can be switched off if the driver prefers to operate the lights manually at any time.

Two new exterior colours are available for RAV4: Blue Crush and Barcelona Red. Cabin trims are unchanged.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.