These are the first official pictures of the all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4, which made its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
There’s new exterior styling and a new-design cabin that’s significantly more spacious and comfortable. There’s more load space, too – 547 litres with the seats in place and 100 litres in the boot’s larger undertray.
The new RAV4 is also easier to load with a move from a side to a top-hinged tailgate, with a wider opening and lower lip height. On higher-grade models (the UK range and specifications will be announced soon) the tailgate will be power-operated.
There’s no mistaking the new 2013 Toyota RAV4 as being part of the modern Toyota “family” with its stronger front-end treatment complete with keen-edged headlights and daytime running lights. The side-on view emphasises its muscular quality with a rising belt line, extended glass area, blacked-out centre and rear pillars and distinctive profile shape. At the rear, the new light clusters wrap around the car’s strong rear quarters.
Inside, the new dashboard is formed from two horizontal beams, intersected by a curving metal spar that frames the driver’s cockpit. With a focus on a better driving experience, RAV4 follows the example of the new Auris with its lower overall height and driving position, and sharper steering wheel angle. Excellent ergonomics, a wealth of soft-touch materials, extra leather around the instrument panel and new cool blue illumination for all the switchgear raise the interior quality and comfort.
While the driver sits lower in the car, there’s more legroom and more comfortable seats for those in the rear. The 60:40 rear seats retain their quick and simple Easy Flat folding mechanism that provides a flat load floor in one simple action.
The new 2013 Toyota RAV4 will again be available with a choice of two (front) or all-wheel drive, with an engine line-up that offers a 149bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, a new 122bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel. Each one gives improved carbon dioxide emissions performance, on average better by 12 per cent across the range compared to the current model.
Look out for the 2.0 diesel in the front-wheel drive RAV4 – equipped with Toyota’s Stop & Start technology it produces just 127g/km of CO2.
Being comfortable and fun to drive have been key RAV4 qualities since the original took to the road, together with manoeuvrability and confident performance when the going gets tough. As well as providing a more comfortable and focused driving position, the new RAV4 builds on its SUV attributes with retuned suspension, revised electric power steering and an Integrated Dynamic Drive System that comes with a new Sport mode.
Integrated Dynamic Drive uses Dynamic Torque Control to make sure the most suitable amount of power is distributed between the front and rear axles in the AWD models. This means RAV4 will run with front-wheel drive in normal conditions, but introduce rear-wheel drive as soon as the system detects any slip or understeer.
When you switch to Sport mode, the system adapts the front/rear drive distribution to give a better lateral grip. At the same time throttle response is sharpened and, where fitted, the automatic transmission or CVT operates to higher revs to give a sportier drive.
More high-tech features are also being introduced for RAV4, with an emphasis on safety. These include Toyota’s Lane Departure Alert and Blind Spot Monitor.
We’ll be bringing you more details about the full UK line-up and prices soon, so keep checking our blog for news.
All information is correct at the time of publishing.
Hi,
“This will be offered as standard from July this year”
Does this mean that the loyal customers who have already ordered vehicles (an Invincible in my case) will be retrofitted FOC?
Hi again Laurie,
We are currently working on a solution for those customers who, as you say, placed an order before the space saver was offered.
It’s likely that your Dealer will be able to support this however, once we have confirmation on this, we’ll let you know. It’s worth speaking with them too as they may be able to offer you a solution with an order.
Many thanks and kind regards.
I can perhaps understand the tyre repair kit/spare wheel decision based upon economy etc.
I am at a loss as to why a the new RAV 4×4 ‘utility’ vehicle now has only one 12v accessory socket in the dashboard. A socket in the load area is standard in most SUV’s and estates these days.
Seems difficult to believe that customers surveyed said that they didn’t want one?
On a £30k Invincible this is penny pinching and an inconvenience enough to dissuade potential buyers.
hi Laurie,
Thank you for your feedback, we will pass this on to our RAV4 product team. The New RAV4 has been built to offer customers the best spec possible for the cost, but we do appreciate that some customers may have the need for an extra socket.
Many thanks.
Wow from reading all the blogs regarding the lack of a spare wheel on the RAV4 Im sure a book could be written about how ineffective the repair kit is. My RAV4 is coming up to 1 year old and I have been trying to buy a spare wheels in case of a puncture but there are so many conflicting reports about using a different wheel to the ones fitted such as ‘ it will affect the 4wheel drive’ and the sability of the steering will be affected etc I decided to approach my Toyota Dealer with regards to purchasing a new alloy and tyre. I was quoted nearly £500. It will be interesting to see what they will charge for a saver wheel when it becomes available in July 2013
Hi Barrie,
Thank you for raising your concerns with us and we are sorry to hear of your disappointment.
We suggest speaking with our Customer Relations team, who’ll be able to help you further. You can find their contact details here: http://ow.ly/ijhAX.
The space saver will be standard specification from July 2013 on New RAV4 so will be included in the cost of the vehicle.
Kind regards.
I have taken delivery of a new rav 4 icon yesterday, have had several suv s’ considered crv and vw but yours came out best for my purposes. I cannot manage in the scottish forests without a spare tyre/ space saver gives some reasurance.I presume that my 13 reg car will be provided with one FOC when they become available in July.
Hi Colin,
We’re delighted you’ve got your new RAV4. We’re hoping to start seeing a lot more of them on UK roads now delivery has started.
Customer Relations here, at Toyota HQ, will happily help you with this, please contact them here: http://ow.ly/iuRzb.
Kind regards.
You are almost there on the spare tyre issue, just offer a full sized spare as a reasonable priced option as there is space for it and in some markets outside UK they are standard. Land Rover manage to do it for their models!
my new rav4 ( my third) will be delivered next week. There is space for a spare wheel. can a full size spare be provided or do I need to buy it from my Canadian cousin ??
Hi Andrew,
Very exciting news about your new Rav4!
Your Dealer will be best placed to advise on the fitting of a spare wheel, as they should be able to provide a local option for you. You can find their details here: http://ow.ly/iyTnk.
Thank you for your loyalty and we look forward to hearing about your new Rav4 once it has been delivered.
The brochure for new Rav 4 says Touch and Go PLUS is available as an accessory. There is also a button on steering wheel for voice recognition.
However, I cannot find details of pricing on this.
Is Touch and Go PLUS available on petrol Rav 4 Icon model?
Hi David,
The Touch and Go Plus is available as an option on the new RAV4 Icon and Invincible grades.
The voice recognition button is standard on the new RAV4 but will only work where Touch and Go Plus is installed.
We are currently looking into the price of this option for you and will let you know once we have confirmed.
Have a lovely weekend and please let us know if we can help with anything further.
Kind regards.
Hi David,
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
As discussed, the Touch and Go Plus will be available as an option on the new RAV4 Icon and Invincible grades. The cost of this is £950.
We hope this helps.