Today, every third car in the stream of any city is a crossover, the most versatile car of our time, combining the control of a passenger car and the off-road (partly) capabilities of an SUV. But the first crossover appeared almost 20 years ago, in Japan. At that time it was an experimental car, one might say a soil sample. It was called then, as it is now - Toyota RAV4, the abbreviation Recreation Active Vehicle 4 stands for an all-wheel drive vehicle for active holidays.
It was a departure from the generally accepted canons of creating SUVs.
The Rav4 combined all-wheel drive and all-wheel independent suspension with a monocoque body. Thanks to this, the car retained excellent handling performance and a good level of comfort, in addition to this, there was also a sporty note that helped to overcome impassability and be very nimble on the highway.
First generation car from 1994 to 2000
The first Rav4 to see the light of day in 1994 was a three-door short version with an original sporty design, reminiscent of an off-road coupe. Car dimensions:
- length 3705 mm
- width 1695 mm
- height 1650 mm
- ground clearance 200 mm
- wheelbase 2200 mm
- tank volume 58 liters
- curb weight 1150 kg
- gross weight 1565 kg
- trunk volume from 175 to 520 liters.
The car was very popular, especially among young people, but it was not practical enough for family values, and in 1995 an elongated model with five doors was released, its dimensions are:
- length 4115 mm
- width 1695 mm
- height 1660 mm
- ground clearance 200 mm
- wheelbase 2410 mm
- tank volume 58 liters
- curb weight 1220 kg
- full 1710 kg
- trunk volume from 409 to 1790 liters.
As can be seen from the digital data, the length of the Rav4 has increased significantly, by 41 centimeters, half of them (21 cm) went to the wheelbase and added space in the back row. The second half of the lengthening went to the luggage compartment, which has grown more than 2 times.
Only one engine was installed on both versions of the first generation:
- gasoline unit with a volume of 2 liters and a power of 128 hp. Torque reached 178 Nm at 4600 rpm. Fuel consumption: 12.3 liters in the city and 7.7 liters on the highway. Acceleration to 100 km / h was 10.1 seconds. Two gearboxes were offered to choose from: a reliable five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic with economical and sport modes.
RAV4 in the first generation could be both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. But the monodrive version was practically not in demand, even taking into account the lower price. The all-wheel drive car had an all-wheel drive scheme (permanent) with a torque distribution in proportions of 50 to 50 between the driving axles.
Second generation car from 2000 to 2005
In the spring of 2000, sales of the updated Rav4 began. The heads of Toyota have already realized that the new type of compact SUV is very valuable in terms of sales and have tried to enhance all the qualities of the previous model. First of all, the appearance of the car was redesigned, now it had a more individual and masculine look. The interior of the car, with almost unchanged dimensions, has become more spacious, and the quality of the finish has improved.
Overall dimensions of the model with three doors:
- length 3850 mm
- width 1785 mm
- height 1670 mm
- ground clearance 200 mm
- wheelbase 2280 mm
- tank volume 58 liters
- curb weight 1200 kg
- gross weight 1595 kg
- trunk volume from 150 to 766 liters.
Dimensions of the model with five doors:
- length 4245 mm
- width 1785 mm
- height 1680 mm
- ground clearance 200 mm
- wheelbase 2490 mm
- tank volume 58 liters
- curb weight 1230 kg
- gross weight1700 kg
- trunk volume from 400 to 1150 liters.
The technical specifications of the new Toyota RAV4 show that the crossover has become larger again, the younger version has increased by 14.5 centimeters, and the older version by 13 centimeters. The width parameters remained almost the same.
The range of engines of the new car was significantly expanded, instead of one unit there were three:
- 1.8 liters with a return of 125 hp and a torque of 161 Nm. He replaced the 2-liter and was installed in most cases on the "short" version. Despite a slight loss of power, efficiency has increased significantly: 9.4 liters in the city and 6.2 liters on the highway. A distinctive feature of this version was the non-alternative front-wheel drive.
- 2.0 liters with a capacity of 150 hp, with a torque of 192 Nm. The new, most powerful engine was quite dynamic and economical: acceleration to 100 km / h in 10.6 seconds, consumption in the city - 11.4 liters, on the highway 7.3 liters.
- 2.0 liters (diesel) power 116 hp and a torque of 250 Nm already from 1800 rpm. This is the first diesel engine installed on the RAV4, it was inferior to its gasoline counterparts in dynamics, but was more high-torque off-road. Diesel fuel consumption was 9.9 liters in the city and 6.1 on the highway.
Gasoline units could be equipped with both mechanics and automatic from the first generation of the car, only mechanics were installed on diesel.
In 2004, a light restyling was carried out, the shapes of both bumpers and the radiator grille were changed, but the most important thing was the appearance of a new powerful engine:
- gasoline 2.4 l power 167 hp and a torque of 224 Nm. Acceleration to "hundred" took 9 seconds, and fuel consumption was only 10% more than that of the 150-horsepower version. This motor was aggregated only with a 4-speed automatic.
Third generation car from 2005 to 2009
The new RAV4 of 2005 was built on a completely new platform and, by and large, had nothing in common with the previous model. The appearance of the newcomer has become more status, and interior details have become noticeably richer. Because of the new platform, the three-door version has become a thing of the past, and the five-door has once again increased in size:
- length 4395 mm
- width 1815 mm
- height 1685 mm
- ground clearance 190 mm
- wheelbase 2560 mm
- tank volume 60 liters
- curb weight 1500 kg
- gross weight 2070 kg
- trunk volume from 586 to 1469 liters.
As a result of the increase in dimensions, it became more spacious in the cabin, as much as 55 mm of the total increase was allocated separately for the back row.
In addition, the front panel of the car acquired an optitron branded backlight, the engine began to start without a key, the tape recorder learned to read the mp3 format, and the display received Russification. Toyota engineers have thoroughly worked out the issue of safety and the RAV4 already received 7 airbags in the basic version.
The power units were also revised:
- a thoroughly redesigned 2-liter engine, which received two boost levels - 152 hp. and 158 hp with the same torque of 198 Nm. The dynamics of the engines did not differ and both confidently accelerated the significantly heavier RAV4 in 10.2 and 11 seconds, depending on the type of transmission - mechanics or a 4-speed automatic. Version with 158 hp got a stepless variator.
- a new diesel unit with a volume of 2.2 liters with a power of 136 hp. (310 Nm) and 177 hp (400 Nm), (turbo). The younger non-supercharged version was distinguished by good performance: acceleration to 100 km / h took 10.5 s, and consumption was only 8.1 liters in the city (5.6 liters on the highway). The turbo version was faster by almost a second and a half, and the fuel consumption differed by less than half a liter. Both versions were completed only with a manual transmission.
- the older gasoline engine 2.4 received another 3 hp and now gave out 170 horses. The thrust remained at the same level - 224 Nm. As before, it was paired with a 4-speed automatic.
- especially for the US market, the most powerful RAV4 model was produced with an engine from Camry - 3.5 liters, with a power of 269 hp. and a 5-speed automatic.
All versions of the third generation car could be both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, except for versions with 2.4 and 3.5 engines, which had all-wheel drive by default.
Starting from the third generation, the RAV4 has lost permanent all-wheel drive, from now on it has a plug-in system, that is, the rear axle is connected when the front wheels slip, under the strict supervision of electronics. But the driver still had the opportunity to use 4 wheels at his discretion, for this it was necessary to press a special key for the forced inclusion of all-wheel drive. But due to the presence of a delicate viscous coupling, the entire system is subject to increased wear when driving on asphalt with all-wheel drive. In order to avoid breakdowns, a temperature sensor was introduced into the clutch, which, upon reaching a high temperature, turned off the rear drive. Also, the rear wheels are switched off upon reaching a speed of 40 km / h.
Fourth generation of the car from 2009 to 2012
The new generation RAV4 was built on the same platform, and in fact differed in a different design and a richer optional set, dual-zone climate control, 17th alloy wheels, a 6-disc CD changer and a third row of seats appeared.
Now toyota rav4 specifications had the following:
- length 4445 mm
- width 1815 mm
- height 1685 mm
- ground clearance 190 mm
- wheelbase 2560 mm
- tank volume 60 liters
- curb weight 1500 kg
- gross weight 2070 kg
- trunk volume from 410 to 1320 liters.
In addition, an elongated version appeared - Long, which was significantly larger than the usual modification:
- length 4625 mm
- width 1855 mm
- height 1720 mm
- ground clearance 190 mm
- wheelbase 2660 mm
- tank volume 60 liters
- curb weight 1690 kg,
- gross weight 2100 kg
- trunk volume from 540 to 1700 liters.
But the appearance of the novelty was greeted coolly among potential buyers and a year later, in 2010, a deep restyling of the appearance was carried out. The image of the car has been completely redesigned, especially in the front, resulting in a more dynamic silhouette and an aggressive image. At the same time, external changes did not affect the Long version.
In the fourth generation, RAV4 lost almost all power units - only two motors remained on the domestic market:
- 2.0 l, 158 hp and a moment of 198 Nm. This unit has remained unchanged since the third generation.
- 2.4 l, 170 hp, with a torque of 224 Nm. Similar to the previous one - the motor from the 3rd generation was installed only on the Long version.
Overseas, in the USA, it was still installed:
- V-shaped 6-cylinder unit from Toyota Camry
But there was also something new:
- a heavy-fuel engine appeared - a volume of 2.2 liters in two power variations: 150 and 180 hp.
A new 6-speed manual gearbox and stepless variator Multi Drive-S were installed on all fourth-generation cars. The extended version was still paired with the already archaic four-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive could be ordered for any version, except for the base one with a 2-liter engine.
Generation since 2013
At the end of 2013, a new generation of RAV4 was presented at an exhibition in Los Angeles. The newcomer is based on the already proven platform from the previous version of Long. The design of the new generation has undergone dramatic changes, inheriting the new corporate identity set by the Avensis sedan at the end of 2011.
Toyota Rav4 2013 has the following specifications:
- length 4570 mm
- width 1845 mm
- height 1670 mm
- ground clearance 197 mm
- wheelbase 2660 mm
- tank volume 60 liters
- "empty" weight 1540 kg
- gross weight 2000 kg
- trunk volume from 506 to 1705 liters.
The car has become somewhat higher, because even 7 mm is sometimes separated from touching a road obstacle. The volume of the trunk of a Toyota equal to 4 has become smaller, but still comparable to the luggage compartment of a D-class sedan.
The power units of 2013 have only three options:
- 2.0 l, 146 hp, torque 187 Nm. This is an engine that has been proven over the years, which has been put on the RAV4 for several years. This time it was reconfigured for the sake of fuel economy. Dynamic characteristics: 10.2 seconds to the first hundred. In the basic configuration, only a mechanical 6-speed gearbox is offered, but by paying extra you can get a CVT.
- 2.2 l, 150 hp diesel and a torque of 340 Nm. This motor is equipped only with an automatic 6-speed gearbox. This is the first diesel engine officially delivered to Russia. Up to 100 km / h RAV4 with such a unit accelerates in 10 seconds, and consumes only 8.1 liters in the city (5.5 liters on the highway).
- 2.5 liters, 180 hp, torque 233 Nm. This Rafik engine was inherited from the new Toyota Camry, along with a 6-speed transmission. Characteristics: 9.4 s to "hundred", consumption - 11.4 liters and 6.8 liters in the city and on the highway.
The new generation received more unified elements between models sold in different countries. Now the most powerful PABA4 engine is a 2.5 liter engine, both in Russia and in the USA.
Options and prices
The new model began to be sold in Russia on February 23, 2013, in eight trim levels in the price range from 998,000 to 1,543,000 rubles:
- Standard - 998,000 rubles. Front-wheel drive version with manual transmission (2.0 l). Main options: air conditioning, headlight washer, LED DRLs, immobilizer, audio system with 4 speakers and bluetooth, full-size spare wheel, mudguards kit, heated seats, USB and AUX ports, 7 airbags, fabric interior, central locking with remote control, full electrowindows, 17th steel wheels, ABS, EBD. EBS and electronic simulation of cross-axle differential.
- Standard plus - 1,055,000 rubles. Front-wheel drive version with CVT (2.0 l). Additional options: alloy wheels, including a spare, rear parking sensors, leather-trimmed steering wheel.
- Comfort - 1,180,000 rubles. All-wheel drive version with manual transmission (2.0 l). New options: 6.1-inch color display, rain sensor, light sensor, rear view camera and dual-zone climate control, leather front panel trim, 6-speaker audio system, VSC + stability control system, cruise control.
- Comfort Plus - 1,248,000 rubles. All-wheel drive version with a variator (2.0 l). New options: hill descent control and xenon headlights.
- Elegance - 1,355,000 rubles. All-wheel drive version with a CVT or automatic transmission (2.0 l or 2.2 l (diesel)) Additional options: heated folding rear-view mirrors, keyless entry, car start with a button, leather interior, power tailgate, additional heater (for diesel version ).
- Elegance Plus - 1,470,000 rubles. All-wheel drive version with automatic transmission (2.5 l). The optional set does not differ from the Elegance configuration.
- Prestige - 1 438 000 rubles. All-wheel drive version with CVT or automatic transmission (2.0 l or 2.2 l (diesel)). New options: automatic high beam system, voice control system, blind spot monitoring systems, navigation system with Russification.
- Prestige Plus - 1,543,000 rubles. All-wheel drive version with automatic transmission (2.5 l) The optional set does not differ from the Prestige package.
Conclusion
Toyota RAV4 is one of the most successful crossover models in the world.
Despite the sharp increase in competition in the segment, the pioneer of the world of crossovers does not give up its position to numerous competitors and in most countries it falls into the TOP-3 of the best-selling SUVs. The characteristics of Toyota Rav4, together with Japanese reliability, leave no doubt about the commercial success of the 2013 model in Russia.