Rav 4 XA40 - the fourth generation of the founder of the crossover class

From the article, the reader will learn about the dimensions of the Rav 4 vehicle, a little history about the creation and what the Japanese manufacturers intended this SUV for. Learn to take correct car measurements.

The Toyota Rav 4 first appeared in 1994. Japanese manufacturers released the first model in the form of a three-door station wagon. It was a compact SUV. But despite its small dimensions, it was distinguished by a comfortable interior and high handling both on roads and on country trails.

This vehicle pioneered subsequent generations of small SUVs that combined comfort and on-road agility.

Appearance

The appearance of the Toyota Rav 4 XA40 is a C grade, what do you think?

The design of the Rav 4 XA40 seems revolutionary compared to models of previous generations; the appearance is more angular, aggressive, and rounded, washed-out shapes are a thing of the past. But the appearance was not accepted unambiguously; few people really like the appearance of the 4th generation.

The front of the mid-size SUV looks too overloaded. This impression is due to the three radiator grilles. The false radiator is located between the front optics, and the real grille is separated by a plastic trim.

Back view

And the headlights, even in an expensive design, look outdated, the daytime running lights are small and come from the 2000s. The design of the disks is simple, there is nothing more to say about it.

The rear part looks like the front, and the designers also raised the lights higher than usual.

When drawing the Rav 4 2013, Toyota designers wanted to attract young buyers, but it seems that it didn’t work out very well.

Inside the car

The interior of the updated 2014 crossover was also not left without innovations. Some drivers, as reviews from owners show, were saddened that even those interior elements that were present in all generations were transformed. But there is good news: the stepped design of the front panel has become even more stepped. Japanese designers clearly took inspiration from the landscapes of the future, resulting in an unusual futuristic style.

As you can see in the photo, the crossover inside looks more like a spaceship. This is especially true for the driver's seat. But the designers approached everything very competently - the broken lines of the interior, which go around the dashboard and run along the door trim, look harmonious against the background of other smooth transitions. Toyota decided that the controls for the climate control, as well as other electronics, were in the wrong places, so now all these elements are located differently. The test drive showed that the ergonomics were not affected, but you still have to get used to it.

As for the driver's seat, owner reviews about it are extremely positive - excellent seating position, a huge number of settings. And passengers will sit on no less comfortable sofas, which are even equipped with settings as standard. The situation with the steering wheel is just as rosy - the driver will be able to find a comfortable position for the steering wheel using an electronic drive. Drivers who took the test drive appreciated the soft and comfortable armrest located between the passenger seat and the driver's seat (photo).

Large luggage space with seats folded down

It’s not entirely clear why the 2014 interior has carbon fiber trim – many reviews from owners say that it doesn’t look entirely harmonious in the crossover. But we were pleased with the traditional digital clock, which has traditionally been installed in Toyota cars since the 1990s. It’s especially pleasing how they harmonize with the ultra-modern multimedia system. We almost forgot about the luggage compartment, which was also examined during the test drive. The volume of the luggage compartment is 506 liters. This is a good indicator, considering that the spare tire eats up a lot of space. Of course, the space can be significantly increased by folding the rear row of seats.

Salon

The Rav 4's interior looks good and maintains continuity without feeling dated.

The interior of the Toyota Rav 4 XA40 looks good.
The two-level front panel, which customers like for its practicality, is responsible for the connection between generations. The buttons near the cup holder also remind us of the previous generation.

The new three-spoke steering wheel feels good in the hands, but the buttons on it are not of high quality, but the Rav 4 XA40 is not premium. The front seats are typical for Toyota; there is no pronounced lateral support, but the range of adjustments is sufficient to accommodate you comfortably.

Two-tone variant of Toyota Rav 4 XA40

The blue-backlit instrument panel is also not the best solution, but the large centrally located speedometer and tachometer are easy to read. The fuel level scale is located on the right.

The second row does not pamper passengers with additional amenities; heating for passengers sitting in the back appeared only after the restyling of the Rav 4 XA40 2015.

The beige interior looks expensive, but it’s not that practical to use.

There are trim levels with two-tone interior trim and carbon fiber inserts.

The trunk is not impressive with materials. The floor is thin, and the arches are finished with hard plastic, which is easily scratched, but does not absorb spills.

For Japan

5th generation, 03.2018 - present, Jeep/SUV 5 doors.

Specifications

Toyota engines are among the most reliable at the moment.
In Russia, two gasoline and one diesel engines were officially available for the 4th generation Rav 4. The 2.0 3ZR-FE could be purchased with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT, and all-wheel drive was available with both transmissions.

The diesel 2.2 2AD-FTV was aggregated with a classic hydromechanical “automatic”; this engine was sold only in 4WD. At the top of the Rav 4 2021 engine range is the petrol 2.5 2AR-FE, which is also only available with all-wheel drive.

In North America and Europe, you could buy the Rav 4 XA40 with a hybrid powertrain.

Dimensions and weight

If we compare the IV generation with the previous one, the body dimensions have increased in all directions:

• length, height, width (cm) –457, 184.5, 171.5;
• wheelbase (cm) – 266,
• ground clearance (mm) – 197 or 165 depending on the configuration;
• trunk volume (l) – 506 or 577;
• interior dimensions (maximum length, height, width (cm) – 193.5, 150.5, 122;
• fuel tank volume (l) – 60;
• weight (kg) – about 1600 (depending on the installed engine and configuration);
• aerodynamic coefficient (cW) – 0.32.

Engines and gearboxes

Characteristics of four-cylinder petrol 2.0 3ZR-FE with distributed fuel injection:

• power (hp) –146;
• torque (N/m) -187;
• compression ratio -10;
• fuel – AI-95 gasoline;
• environmental level – Euro-4;
• acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) – manual transmission 4WD – 10.7; Manual transmission monodrive - 10.2; CVT and all-wheel drive – 11.3; CVT and front-wheel drive – 11.1;
• maximum speed (km/h) - 180;
• fuel consumption (city, highway, mixed) – 6 manual transmission 4WD – 10, 6.4, 8; manual 2WD mixed consumption 7.7; CVT 4WD – 9.4, 6.3, 7.8; CVT 2WD mixed - 7.4.

Engine 2.0 3ZR-FE under the hood of the Toyota Rav 4 XA40
The diesel engine on the Rav 4 first officially became available from Russian dealers precisely on the XA40 generation; on previous crossover bodies, only gasoline engines were available.

Parameters of diesel turbocharged four-cylinder 2.2 2AD-FTV with common-rail injection:

• power (hp) – 150;
• torque (N/m) - 340;
• compression ratio – 15.7;
• fuel - diesel;
• environmental level – Euro-4;
• acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) - 10;
• maximum speed (km/h) - 185;
• fuel consumption in mixed mode – 6.5.

2.2 2AD-FTV under the hood of Rav 4
Characteristics of the four-cylinder petrol 2.5 2AR-FE with distributed injection:

• power (hp) – 180;
• torque (N/m) - 233;
• compression ratio – 10.4;
• fuel – AI-95;
• environmental level – Euro-4;
• acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) – 9.4;
• maximum speed (km/h) - 180;
• fuel consumption/fuel consumption (gasoline, diesel) (city, highway, mixed) – 11.4, 6.8, 8.5.

Engine 2.5 2AR-FE under the hood of the Rav 4
On the Rav 4 40 2015, a manual transmission and CVT were installed only on configurations with a two-liter engine. Toyota's continuously variable transmission is quite reliable. And the diesel and two and a half liter petrol versions were equipped with a classic hydromechanical automatic transmission.

Chassis and all-wheel drive

The design of the Rav 4 2021 suspension is the same as that of the previous generation. The front has MacPherson struts with a stabilizer, and the rear has double wishbones located transversely, also with a stabilizing device.

All-wheel drive (Dynamic Torque Control 4WD) is implemented using clutches that distribute torque in the range from 100% to the front axle to 50:50. The rear wheels now turn on not only when the front ones slip, but they try to do this a little earlier.

Safety

In this aspect, the Rav 4 2021 is doing great; it was one of the first crossovers in 2013 to receive the highest score in the Euro NCAP crash test.

Already in the minimum configuration of the Classic with a two-liter engine there is:

• airbags for the driver, knee, front passenger and curtain;
• ISOFIX;
• ABS;
• Brake force distribution (EBD);
• Brake Assist (BAS);
• antibuks (TCS);
• Descent Assist (DAC).

And in the most expensive version with the 2.5 Prestige Plus engine, the following are added:

• lane following (LKA);
• stability control (ESP);
• hill start assist (HAC);
• rear parking sensors (front is an option);
• blind spot monitoring.

Toyota RAV4 2021 prices

Cons and pros

Even such a reliable car as the Rav 4 has drawbacks, not all of them are related to the resource, but still.

At the very beginning, the manufacturer replaced the rattling rear control arms under warranty. After restyling in 2015, a problem was identified with the fifth door, which opened every other time. Dealers also eliminated this problem under warranty.

Oak plastic interior is typical for Rav 4. Because of this trouble, the interior becomes filled with “crickets” over time. The quality of other finishing materials is also not up to par, but Toyota buyers should be prepared for this.

Plus - reliability, the first owner had to pay for it, and on the secondary market a good Rav 4 2021 will not be cheap.

Youth "Toyota"

Toyota RAV 4 is a compact crossover produced since 1994. Initially, it was a small car for young people, with rather modest equipment and intended for active recreation. The small ground clearance of the RAV 4 did not allow it to be called a full-fledged SUV. However, the car’s capabilities were quite sufficient for delivering vacationers to nature. But over time, the vehicle gradually became more and more family-friendly. The car began to get heavier, more expensive and acquire new options. The off-road capabilities and ground clearance of the RAV 4 of the next generations began to fade into the background.

Restyling

The Rav 4 (XA40) 4th generation update took place in 2015.

After restyling, the 4th generation Rav 4 began to look better.
External changes benefited the Japanese crossover. The front and rear optics began to look better; in expensive trim levels, the headlights have intricately shaped daytime running lights. The false radiator grille between the headlights was removed and the bumper was changed.

The salon has also been improved for the better. A large on-board computer screen appeared on the dashboard, located between the tachometer and speedometer. To replace the carbon fiber inserts, they install plastic with longitudinal lines, which looks good.

After restyling, the optics have become much more modern

On the technical side, the Rav 4 2021 has remained virtually unchanged; the set of engines and gearboxes has remained unchanged.

There are many more trim levels in the updated Rav 4 4. And in expensive trim levels, options have become available that were not available before restyling: a collision avoidance system and driver fatigue monitoring. And they began to install a 7-inch multimedia monitor instead of 6.1. In variants with expensive equipment, a heated steering wheel and rear seats appeared.

Interior of the hybrid Rav 4 40 after restyling

History of the RAV4 model.

Toyota RAV4 by year

All generations by year of manufacture:

Toyota RAV4 I (XA10).

The history of the RAV4 model begins in 1989. At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota presented its new concept car, the RAV Four. The new model was positioned as a car for youth active recreation, a beach SUV.

RAV is an abbreviation of the English phrase Recreation Active Vehicle (Russian decoding - a car for active recreation), Four (Russian four) - implies all-wheel drive on a car. The production of the serial model began in 1994, the name did not change, only the word “Four” was replaced with a number and everything began to be written together - RAV4.

Photo RAV 4 I – three-door version

The car was one of the first models of compact crossovers, combining the comfort of passenger cars and the cross-country ability of SUVs. At first, the RAV4 was a three-door car, but already in 1995 an extended five-door version of the car was released.

Generations of the Toyota RAV4 model - photos of bodies by year