The 2023 Toyota RAV4 has unveiled a series of upgrades and a raft of enhancements that focus on improving life on board with new multimedia systems and a customisable new digital driver’s instrument display. Safety is enhanced, too, with new functions added to the Toyota Safety Sense systems. The changes are rolled out across the full range of hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric models, making the world’s original and best-selling recreational SUV an even more desirable proposition.
2023 Toyota RAV4: new multimedia system
The new RAV4 adopts Toyota’s latest multimedia system which features a larger,10.5-inch screen with a high-definition colour display.
The standard system provides cloud-based navigation that allows for accurate journey planning with information that’s constantly updated, plus live details of traffic and road events and how easy or hard it might be to find a parking place near your destination.
Thanks to the included four-year over-the-air “Smart Service” data package, customers can access Toyota’s latest multimedia and navigation systems without having to pair their smartphones to the vehicle.
The user experience is seamless with the accompanying MyT smartphone app, so customers can keep track of various vehicle information, such as driving analytics, fuel levels, warnings and “find my car” function. There’s also the time-saving convenience of being able to use the app to book service and maintenance appointments at Toyota centres.
Smartphone integration with Android Auto® is available and for added convenience, wireless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay® is featured as standard.
There are more ways to communicate with your car using the new on-board voice agent that will respond to spoken requests to adjust the climate control, choose multimedia options, make a phone call, or open and close the windows. “Hey Toyota” is designed to understand conversational speech, so if you say “I’m cold” it will respond by closing the windows or raising the air conditioning temperature.
A further, optional multimedia system is also available, offering additional functions. It introduces an embedded navigation system that will operate when no data connection is available. It also recognises highway signs and can provide local weather alerts and notify the driver of restricted LEZs (low emission zones).
Remote services
The new RAV4 comes with more remote functions the driver can make use of without having to be in or near their vehicle. The familiar worries about whether you have left a window open, the doors unlocked or the lights on after you’ve walked away from your car are addressed with remote notifications to confirm the vehicle is secure. This feature is standard on all new RAV4 models.
You can also lock and unlock the doors – a handy feature if someone without a key needs access, for example to drop off a parcel or to clean the car. The hazard lights can also be flashed, making the vehicle easier to spot in a big or busy car park. These features are newly standard on mid-grade models, together with remote operation of the climate control to warm up or cool the cabin before making a journey.
2023 Toyota RAV4: new digital combimeter
It’s a feature of all-new Toyota models that the driver can view and take in key vehicle data at-a-glance, so there is the least distraction from their focus on driving and the road ahead. The new RAV4 introduces a new digital combimeter in the instrument binnacle that comes with flexible display settings. There is a choice of four styles and three layouts and personalisation options for the 12.3-inch display so the driver can choose the most relevant information needed between the numerical speedometer and digital dials, as well as other information such as an eco-driving meter, audio track information, or Adaptive Cruise Control display, among others.
These layouts are presented in four different style themes for a more customised look and feel: Casual, Smart, Sport and Tough.
The new unit is standard on all grades apart from the entry-level Icon model which uses a 7-inch version of the combimeter.
2023 Toyota RAV4: enhanced Toyota Safety Sense
The new RAV4 gains enhanced Toyota Safety Sense functions that can warn the driver and help avoid a wider range of common road accident risks.
The Pre-Collision System (PCS) gains intersection support that can help with safer turns at junctions. It will detect if the car is about to cross the path of any oncoming traffic, and if there are any pedestrians crossing the road into which the vehicle is moving, alerting the driver and, if necessary, initiating braking control to help avoid an impact.
Emergency Steering Assist is also newly provided, helping the driver avoid a pedestrian who has stepped into the road while keeping the car under control and within its traffic lane. On the RAV4 Plug-in, the system will also recognise and react to bicycles and parked vehicles. The RAV4 Plug-in’s PCS also gains the ability to detect oncoming vehicles in the car’s traffic lane and reduce the risk of a head-to-head collision.
New exterior colour
A new Platinum White Pearl exterior colour is being introduced for all grades of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and Hybrid. Dynamic grade will see the introduction of a Platinum White Pearl bi-tone with Midnight Black Metallic for both variants.
Production of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 will begin during the third quarter of this year.
All information is correct at the time of publishing.
If you are buying a new Rav 4… PLEASE BUY A STEERING WHEEL LOCK – as this model is open to CAN injection (look it up). Even if your keys are in a faraday bag.. this model of car is HIGH risk. My Rav 4 was stolen off my driveway using CAN injection… not many people are aware of this vulnerability… please use a steering wheel lock to at least make it harder for them!
This is really concerning, are Toyota not coming up with some sort of protection against this? How do we know if our car falls into this category?
Hi Jaykay, thanks for your comment.
Our teams are constantly assessing this situation and value your feedback greatly.
We are also working incredibly hard to support all of our customers who have been impacted by this terrible crime.
Thanks.
I had my Rav4 stolen when I had a Steering Wheel Lock attached. Thieves simply cut through the steering wheel to remove the lock. The police said the only way to stop the car being stolen was to install a Ghost immoboliser.
Expecting my rav4 plug in at the end of September 2023 will it have any improvement’s regarding the easy way it seems for thieves to steal it?
Hi Nick, thanks for getting in touch.
The Toyota Centre through which you purchased your vehicle are best placed to advise you on this. This is because they will have all the information specifically related to your vehicle.
Thanks.
Really, that is passing the buck. You would have more information than any local dealer, you should be dealing with this.
Hi,
Is the RAV4 GR Sport 2.5 Petrol Hybrid now unavailable as I can no longer see it on your website.
Hi Tommy, thanks for your query.
To view all of our currently available vehicles please see here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars
Thanks.
Just been notified I can order the new RAV4 GR Sport PHEV but the dealership can not add JBL stereo system even though all the motor show launch models have it fitted. It sates will come with 6 speaker system, has somebody who is about to have there 5th RAV all have had JBL fitted either standard or optional, I need to know what the vehicle will come with and how we add the option for the JBL. Don’t send me to the dealership they have asked Toyota directly since vehicle been available to order has many customer want it but have had absolutely no response.
I think the no response form yourselves answers the issue, the cars at the motor shows were not the spec that will be offered, very disappointing and not like Toyota use to be.
Hi Bob, thanks for getting in touch.
We are sorry for the lack of response you have received, it seems your comment was missed. Please except our sincere apologies for this.
To view the specifications of all of our vehicles please consult the brochures here: https://brnw.ch/21wCWZH
These will list all the models and grades which feature JBL speakers and the vehicles which can have them fitted as optional extras.
Alternatively, please contact your local Toyota centre for their advice as to which vehicle is best for you.
You can locate your nearest centre here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/find-a-dealer
Thanks.
Bob, I’ve also ordered the 23 RAV4 GR but not the PHEV version. I was also wondering about the JBL system option upgrade and was told directly by Toyota UK that the JBL option will not be available due to shortages at the factory (Japan). Have already purchased the speakers (Infinity) and amp (Beat-Sonic PA2T3K) to do the upgrade myself, all I need now is to wait for the RAV4 delivery in November.
Its amazing but if i go down to the Excel I could order it with JBL stereo, now I really am struggling with the GR Sport being the supposed flagship but it doesn’t have JBL option or standard. I have now been to 4 motorshows with the RAV4 GR Sport on show as the flagship all with JBL fitted and according to the people on the stand it is a standard feature! It would appear that yet again don’t worry UK market don’t need it! I am very tempted to cancel my current order until somebody sorts this out for the UK market, sad that after 20 plus years i will be moving away from Toyota
Didn’t read the enquiry very well as the link doesn’t even have a RAV4 listed. Having had the honour to attend several motor shows where the RAV4 GR Sport was launched they all have JBL fitted, and as I stated my local Toyota centre can’t get an answer to this question either. Please find the definitive answer
Hi Bob,
The brochures list all the features of each vehicle. If the vehicle you are looking for is not listed please click on ‘explore’ under the specific grade on the website. The features of each grade will be listed under ‘explore’ also. Please see here for the RAV4 Plug-In page.
https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/rav4-plugin
If JBL speakers are not listed, this means the vehicle does not come with them fitted.
We apologise for your disappointment and understand your frustration.
Please let us know if we can answer any other queries you have.
Thanks.
if the above is fact can you please explain why all the RAV4 GR Sport at the 4 motor shows I have been to are all fitted with JBL. Also the agents on the stand are selling the motor as shown at the shows, we need to get the facts right here please. Also once an order is placed with factory how long does it take for them to process it? Then how long to build? My local dealer have been asking this now of Toyota UK for 3 months but no reply, we need to know has my current contracted vehicle contract ends Feb23 and presently we want to order a new RAV4 GR Sport Plug-In this will of course rely on Toyota answering questions ort after 20 years it maybe time to move manufacturer due this very poor response
Hi Bob,
We sincerely apologise for our delay in getting back to you.
Is this query something you still require assistance with?
Thanks.
AS this page now closed down as I haven’t seen any more comment for months?
Hi Bob,
The Toyota Magazine is still up and running.
If there is anything else we can assist you with at this time, please let us know.
Thanks.
Hi,
Regarding the RAV4 GR Sport PHEV.
I have just enquired with my local dealership and they advise that Toyota are not taking orders for this model due to the RAV is getting a face lift in the new year.
Can you advise when orders will be taken and when we might see a preview of facelift?
Hi Tracy,
Unfortunately, we do not have any further information to share on this at the moment.
We would suggest keeping an eye on our blog and social media channels for the latest information on our vehicle offerings.
Thanks.
Hi Tracy
I was told the face lift will not be seen in UK until at least late 2024 or Q1 2025 as it hasnt appeared at any of the Motor Shows in 2024 so far
Does the Rav4 PHEV come with wireless Android Auto? The dealer says yes, but the messaging here is unclear.
Hi Keith,
Our Product Team have confirmed that the 2024 RAV4 PHEV has Wireless Apple CarPlay, but Wired Android Auto.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Its amazing but if i go down to the Excel I could order it with JBL stereo, now I really am struggling with the GR Sport being the supposed flagship but it doesn’t have JBL option or standard. I have now been to 4 motorshows with the RAV4 GR Sport on show as the flagship all with JBL fitted and according to the people on the stand it is a standard feature! It would appear that yet again don’t worry UK market don’t need it! I am very tempted to cancel my current order until somebody sorts this out for the UK market, sad that after 20 plus years i will be moving away from Toyota
Following up on the comment regarding a Steering Wheel lock, and the lack of security in Rav4. Insurance premiums for Rav4s are going through the roof as they as simply unsecure.
My Rav4 was stolen from in front of my house even when I had a Steering Wheel lock. The thieves simply cut through the steering wheel to remove the lock. Rav4 cars are not secure. The police said the only way to stop this is to have a Ghost immobiliser fitted (several hundred pounds to install at customer cost). The thieves can open the car, but won’t be able to start it. You will have the damaged front panel, but at least the car hasn’t moved.
The Can bus attack allows the car to be unlocked in only a few seconds by connecting to the wire at the front headlight. The car simply unlocks with no alarm, and starts without a key. Gone in less than 60 seconds.