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CARMEL, CA – It's been almost a year since the RAV4 surpassed the Camry as Toyota's best-selling vehicle in the United States.
The increase in production volumes associated with the fourth-generation model and the growing popularity of C-segment heavy-duty vehicles have allowed Toyota to sell 407,594 copies of its current-generation RAV4 to the United States last year.
The RAV4 is the best-selling model not only in the mid-sized light-duty segment of the Wards (which has long been competing with the Honda CR-V), but also now the best-selling light-duty van in the United States. -United.
With 353,151 deliveries, the CUV group ranks fourth behind the No. 1 Ford F-150 (695,425), No. 2 Chevy Silverado (470,996) and No. 3 Ram (411,753) up to No. 39. in October this year, according to Wards Intelligence sales data.
After a test drive, we believe that the new fifth-generation RAV4 goes on sale in the US next month is a risk.
Toyota gave it the appearance of a muscular off-road SUV (a CUV resting on a monohull platform) rather than the sleek and compact crossover packaging that made the RAV from this generation such a success.
The robustness of the vehicle is likely linked to the arrival of another mid-sized CUV to meet the strong demand for Wards Intelligence's US forecast in 2022, Toyota will begin producing a new medium-sized CUV from the platform. Mazda CX-7 form at Toyota and the new factory assembly seal in Alabama.
To avoid competing with what will likely be a more nervous and car-like CUV, Toyota has pushed its long-standing mid-size CUV into this more powerful direction.
The new RAV looks big and powerful, despite slight dimensional changes. The non-hybrid grades are heavy, have a harder ride and are slow to accelerate, hampered by a low pressure rise and a high torque peak (5000 rpm) of the dynamic two-cylinder gasoline engine and force of 2 , 5 liters of Toyota, which The new Corolla hatchback uses the D-4S engine direct injection and direct injection. Our testers, especially non-hybrids, are very noisy inside due to the excessive intrusion of engine noise and wind into the cabin.
The small, low-resolution screens of infotainment screens, whether hybrid or not, are disappointing – they are fuzzy, drab and seem aged compared to those of the redesigned Avalon and Camry sedans.
But the best attribute of the new RAV4 may well be its optional hybrid powertrain.
At the end of 2015, we achieved a fantastic average of 5.3 L / 100 km (44.5 mpg) in the current generation of the RAV4 Hybrid. The new model erased the problem with its limited slope totaling 4.7 L / 100 km (50.2 mpg) on a Pacific Coast Highway here. A second trip in a hybrid vehicle, this time the XSE, is 5.4 L / 100 km.
Most notably, the route we take with the Limited grade has little of the braking or low-speed driving that is usually required for the estimated hybrid fuel economy to be greater than the estimated by the EPA.
The beauty of Toyota's hybrid system lies in its ability to frequently enter and exit EV mode during regular commutes at speeds above 32 km / h (20 mph), which we observe through the stream display. energy. Below 20 mph is usually the only time you can stay constantly on the battery, which matches other Toyota hybrids.
As in the outgoing RAV hybrid, Toyota is combining a gasoline engine (176 HP version of the Dynamic Force 2.5L cycle using the Atkinson cycle) with three engine-generators, an electronically controlled CVT and a metal hydride battery pack of nickel. The two front generators (one to charge the battery pack, the other to drive the front wheels) are coaxially mounted to reduce friction and improve packaging.
For the e-CVT, a reduction of nearly 25% in transmission losses is achieved by using a parallel shaft rather than a planetary gearbox, while the parking gear, the drive gear and the crown Planetary power splitters are integrated in a new multifunction gear.
The NiMH battery pack is 11% lighter and smaller enough to fit under the rear seats rather than the cargo area (although there is a small shelf in the back), the latter increasing by 2 cubic feet . (57 L) outgoing model, says Toyota.
Hybrid, low quality FWD models weigh approximately 100 to 200 lbs. (45 to 91 kg) lighter, thanks in part to Toyota's new TNGA platform and lighter, more resistant steel in the upper body of the RAV4.
The hybrid is much more responsive than the standard RAV4 when we pound the throttle, which is not surprising because of its second 118 hp (80 kW) engine-alternator driving the front wheels and producing 149 lb-ft. (202 Nm) torque from 0 rpm. According to Toyota, the MG2 has been reduced and runs on a higher diet than the outgoing hybrid RAV4 MG2. The maximum torque of 2.5 L also arrives earlier than in the non-hybrid – 3,600 rpm – due to a single calibration.
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The rear generator set, with a more aggressive gearbox for '19 and capable of driving the rear wheels, powers the RAV4 Hybrid's standard all-wheel drive system. A new Trail mode is available, which uses brake control to help direct power to the tires with the most traction.
"So it looks a lot like an automatic (limited slip differential) feature on gas models (and) the motive power distribution can also be changed, and on hybrid models, we can actually send up to 80 % of the driving force on the rear axle. . That's a 20% increase over the current generation, "says Jeff Halsey, marketing specialist at Toyota in the United States.
The Adventure and Limited AWD models are equipped with an all-wheel drive torque vector, a first for Toyota in North America, and can send up to 50% of engine power to the rear wheels. A coupler at the front of the drive shaft helps disconnect the rear transmission for increased efficiency. A dual coupler system at the rear allows independent control of the power of the left rear and right rear wheels. The power delivered can be varied so that the RAV4 remains on the path desired by the driver, be it cornering curve or in a straight line, says Toyota.
Tested here on a short off-road course, the Adventure and XSE Hybrid models climb a steep hill with deep ruts without getting stuck. We are wondering how many people will be off-road in a single-vehicle VMC, regardless of its full transmission capability. Nevertheless, it is a good compromise between chassis-based utility vehicles, which generally consume less fuel economy, and very light crossover vehicles.
Although the displays are disappointing, the interior of the RAV4 is excellent, undoubtedly one of the best in Toyota because of its attention to detail, colors and fun shapes.
Adventure models have orange accents, while XSE hybrids get blue highlights. In the Adventure, the baskets and the bottom of the cupholders are textured with diamonds and rock-like perforation patterns are used on its seats (see above, left).
The center column buttons for audio and HVAC systems are surrounded by a rubberized material for better grip. The outgoing RAV4 Hybrid suffered from mediocre interior ergonomics and too many hard plastic surfaces, but the new model offers generous amounts of soft-touch material.
The fit and finish of the pre-production models are perfect. The support bars do not have exposed pins (although a seam where the pieces meet at the front and back feel), the pockets of the doors are without flashing and the seams and spaces of the panels are equal.
Toyota, long-time holder of the feature, offers Apple CarPlay in the new RAV, as well as Amazon Alexa compatibility and Verizon Wi-Fi.
Its exterior styling is appealing, despite the fact that certain shades have a wheel liner similar to that of Pontiac. The major changes are an upper hood and a more inclined D-pillar. Overall, the vehicle is more bulky than the model it replaces.
The non-hybrid versions of the new Toyota RAV4 of19 will be released next month in the US, ranging from $ 25,500 to $ 33,500 for the front-wheel drive categories and from $ 26,900 to $ 34,900 for the all-wheel drive categories. .
The hybrid arrives at Toyota dealerships in March, starting at $ 27,700 and $ 35,700. The price of all shades increases by 18 '', but Toyota says more standard content has been added for '19. The destination and treatment of $ 1,045 are not included in the above prices.
While we appreciate Adventure's great interior and off-road skills, the sporty XSE Hybrid is the star of the lineup. It is likely with this model and three other hybrid qualities, Toyota will wish to bring the mix of the RAV4 hybrid to 25% of sales compared to the 12% of hybrids held in 2017.
Hybrid RAVs cost only $ 800 more than non-hybrid AWD models. With its economy of fuel economy, plus a more tolerant driving, it's hard to imagine why no one would choose this variant. Spread over several years of loan payments, $ 800 is nothing.
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