On Wednesday, the Japanese carmaker confirmed the 2013 RAV4's European market engine lineup, while also revealing prices for the UK model ahead of its launch on 1 March 2013.
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Now that Toyota officially revealed the fourth generation of its compact crossover, we finally have all the info on the latest iteration of the model that kickstarted the SUV trend as we know it back in 1994.
The all-new RAV4 is 179.9 inches (4,569 mm) long, 72.6 inches (1,844 mm) wide and 65.4 inches (1,661 mm) tall and sports a 104.7-inch (2,659 mm) wheelbase.
According to Toyota, the new RAV4’s architecture uses several grades of high-strength steel for key structural components and employs weight savings in other areas resulting in a more rigid, yet light, chassis.
It also uses a McPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension setup with revised spring rates and dampers. There are disc brakes all around and, depending on trim level, 17-inch steel (LE) or 17- (XLE) nand 18-inch (Limited) alloy wheels.
Toyota's designers have modernized the looks of the popular on both sides of the Atlantic RAV4, applying familiar styling cues from their more recent models like the Auris hatchback and estate giving the SUV a sharper appearance.
The new compact crossover looks like it also features a larger footprint, which if true, should improve passenger and possibly luggage space, while the interior boasts more upscale materials, such as the leather trim on the dashboard of the display vehicle.
We have nothing official yet on the 2013 RAV4's specifications, but it has been rumored for a while now that the North American model may drop the V6 option and follow the example of the rivaling Honda CR-V offering a single four-cylinder engine.
We'll remind you that earlier today, we shared a first batch of pictures of Toyota's next compact crossover, which will rival the likes of the latest Honda CR-V, Ford Escape (Kuga in Europe) and Subaru Forester (just to mention a few of its competitors) on a global level.
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The set includes several pictures of both the exterior and interior of the crossover model, which seem to be official images of the final product, along with a couple of real-life shots of a very lightly camouflaged RAV4 prototype.
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The only other piece of information we get, is from the description of the video that reads: "The 2013 RAV4 is a new generation rewriting the rules of style, embodying sophistication and strength - a dynamism that adapts to the changing pace of life."
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This time, the issue on hand is a faulty power window switch in 14 different models, which may malfunction and offer a “notchy” or sticky feel during operation. The use of a commercial lubricant, instead of the special fluorine grease used by the factory, may result in the melting of the switch and the emission of smoke.
Read more » This time, the issue on hand is a faulty power window switch in 14 different models, which may malfunction and offer a “notchy” or sticky feel during operation. The use of a commercial lubricant, instead of the special fluorine grease used by the factory, may result in the melting of the switch and the emission of smoke.
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Insert Toyota and its popular crossover here; the current RAV4 is fast growing a few grey hairs and has lost some of its youthfulness of yesteryear. Not wanting its direct competitors to seize on this, the boffins at Toyota have been working hard on its next generation of their popular compact SUV.
This hard work has become more apparent in recent months with numerous camouflaged spy photos hitting the cyberspace. Based on those photos, I have created an illustration that previews the new design direction for the 2013 Toyota RAV4.
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At around 52 seconds into the video, we see a dark-colored Toyota RAV4 suddenly veering into the opposite lane with the first and second drivers of the oncoming cars making a quick maneuver to dodge the Japanese SUV.
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The Japanese carmaker said that its engineers determined that if the nuts on the rear suspension are not tightened properly after a rear wheel alignment service, the suspension arms might rust and possibly even separate.
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The car was covered in a white plastic wrap on the outside with see-through plastics protecting the seats on the inside, which suggest that this may be a dealer model.
The exterior details match what we have seen from the prototypes spotted over the past few months testing on the road, so chances are that this is the real deal.
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But if the word on the street is to be believed, then we could see a new RAV4 making its debut as early as this fall before it hits showrooms either towards the end of the year or in early 2013, depending on the market.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on its website that it has received seven complaints, all of which claim corrosion-related failure of the crossover's left or right rear suspension arm, often referred to as a rear "tie rod" in consumer complaints and repair records.
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While based on the current RAV4, the Japanese automaker is commanding almost twice the price of the popular SUV's top trim-level (Limited: $25,530) for the electric model that will begin arriving in select showrooms this summer with an MSRP of $49,800 before any state and federal incentives.
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The new RAV4 EV has been developed in cooperation with Tesla that provides the electric driveline including the battery, motor, transmission and power electronics. Tesla will build the e-powertrains at its production plant in Palo Alto, California and then ship them to Toyota's Canadian facility for final assembly into the RAV4.
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The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it has received six consumer complaints, and other manufacturer reports supplied through Early Warning Reporting data submissions, all of which allege a fire in the driver's side door.
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Starting with Toyota, the Japanese carmaker has issued a recall on a total of 427 RAV4 vehicles manufactured from November 24, 2011, through December 19, 2011, because the curtain shield airbags may not deploy. Toyota said it would check the RAV4s and if necessary, replace the assemblies. The safety recall is expected to begin in early March.
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