From the article, the reader will learn where and in which countries the Toyota Rav 4 crossover is assembled. How the first model differs from those that have been produced recently and why. The reader will also find out whether the Toyota Rav 4 project will close soon.
When buying a car, car owners are often interested in the country where it was assembled. It is believed that it is better to trust the assembly in European countries or Asian countries such as Japan or Korea. Next you can hear questions about where Toyota Rav 4 is assembled for Russia , whether the Russian Federation has its own assembly plant.
So where is this car assembled? The answers are given in the next block.
Where is the Rav 4 assembled?
Answering the question where Toyota Rav 4 is assembled , you can give the following answers:
- China;
- India.
In European countries there are factories for the assembly of Toyota Rav 4 2019 in:
- Czech Republic;
- Great Britain;
- Poland.
The Japanese manufacturer of Toyota Rav 4 2019 and previous years has installed a plant in South America. Namely in Brazil.
However, one should not think that these factories are assembling this car for the Japanese domestic market. For residents of their own country, assembly plants are located inside the Japanese islands. For example, the Tahara company on Atsumi Island produces cars for itself and residents of the Asian market.
But in the Canadian city of Ontario, the plant assembles cars only for the North American continent.
Attention! At a plant like Tahaoka, the quality requirements for car production are so high that all cars coming out of it receive a five-star safety rating in crash tests.
For Russia
If previously cars were purchased from other countries for sale on the Russian domestic market, now the country has its own plant for the assembly and production of the legendary Toyota Rav 4.
This plant opened in 2021. Its owners did not bother with the company name. That's why it's called Toyota. Here, in addition to the Rav 4, they produce another Toyota Camry model.
The company tries to take into account the taste and demand of the client for certain cars. Develops a wide range of programs to maximize convenience and comfort while traveling in cars coming off the assembly line of Toyota LLC. Vehicles that are manufactured here are immediately adapted to climatic conditions and roads.
Characteristics of Toyota Rav 4
No matter where the car is assembled, the characteristics remain completely Japanese. Lack of attention to detail, which cannot be said, for example, about Volkswagens from a German manufacturer when comparing cars.
Although many car owners emphasize the ergonomics of the driver's seat.
- comfortable grip on the steering wheel;
- well-profiled seats;
- large adjustment strokes.
All this makes the Japanese crossover reliable and convenient, despite the lack of attention to small details.
Attention! In fact, the car was initially presented as a youth car for active recreation. That's why it was called the " Recreation Active Vehicle " ( RAV ). And the number 4 means that the car is all-wheel drive.
But most often, few of the owners of this vehicle use the car for off-road driving. Basically, Japanese transport on Russian roads operates in urban mode.
⇡#Impressions
Driving the updated RAV4, you understand that this is by no means a woman's car. Or rather, not only for women - with a 2.2-liter supercharged diesel 2AD-FHV for sure. As befits a heavy fuel engine, Toyota’s compact inline four has an impressive torque – and all the rated 340 Nm is felt well: during dynamic starts from a traffic light, when climbing a steep hill, when carrying four passengers and a whole trunk of things... In all these situations, the RAV4 demonstrates amazing cheerfulness and zest for life. By the way, the thoroughbred 3.5-liter 249-horsepower V6 of the latest generation American Ford Explorer crossover produces only 6 Nm more than the Toyota diesel rattle!.. At the same time, due to the use of a productive turbocharger with variable blade geometry, 2, The 2-liter RAV4 engine is devoid of the notorious “turbo lag” effect - at least I didn’t feel it.
Another valuable quality of a modern diesel engine has not gone away - high fuel efficiency. The average consumption of the daily rising diesel fuel during the crossover test was 10-11 liters per 100 km - and this is taking into account the fact that I was not at all embarrassed to check the dynamic characteristics of the car, regularly used the Sport mode (about which below), spent a lot of time in all Moscow traffic jams and frolicked to his heart's content in the snow-covered fields not far from the hacienda. I am sure that a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, given the same scenario for using the car, would happily feast on an additional 3-5 liters for every 100 km.
The RAV4 has three driving modes: standard (activated by default, and therefore even without a separate button), the especially economical ECO Mode and the most dynamic Sport. The difference between the programs is the same as in most modern cars equipped with switchable modes: they differ in the timing of the automatic transmission gear shift, the engine response to pressing the gas pedal, and the settings of the electric power steering. In other words, in the “sport” mode, the car stretches the automatic transmission stages as much as possible, allowing the tachometer needle to come very close to the red marking zone, and the steering wheel becomes sharper, which in turn makes the feedback more transparent.
The 6-speed hydromechanical transmission was a pleasant surprise. The Japanese automatic transmission quickly and accurately went through the gears, connecting the right stage in time - and did it completely unnoticed. To recognize the moment of switching, you need to specifically listen to the operation of the engine and peer at the tachometer readings. In any other version, it feels like the RAV4 has one endless gear, in which the car both starts and reaches maximum speed. Well, for those who miss the good old “mechanics” and are used to choosing their own transmission stages, a manual control mode is provided. True, I didn’t see much sense in it when using a crossover in a metropolis: it would rather come in handy when towing a heavy trailer, when overcoming particularly challenging off-road conditions (where it’s better not to venture into a RAV4 at all) or during long descents and ascents.
By the way, about the descents. The updated crossover has a system “specially trained” for such cases, which I already mentioned in the text - the so-called DAC (Downhill Assist Control). This is far from new, but still an effective and simple system that automatically brakes the wheels (each individually), preventing the car from accelerating on a steep descent and relieving the driver of the need to operate the brake pedal. DAC also works when rolling back after engaging reverse - if, for example, you have suffered a fiasco when storming a climb and want to return to the starting position. Downhill Assist Control is used in many Toyota vehicles.
One of the strengths of the updated RAV4 is excellent handling for its class, which even creates the illusion that the car is lighter than it actually is. On the move, the Japanese crossover is very obedient and at the same time passionate, which, in a certain mood, provokes the driver to drive quickly. And even though this, of course, is not the “off-road kart” of the late 90s of the last century... but part of the playful character remains in this considerably fatter model.
The RAV4's chassis still doesn't offer much comfort - despite the modified suspension, the car still feels rigid, transmitting too much information to the cabin about the condition of the road surface. On the other hand, I understand why Japanese engineers did not sacrifice precise handling for the sake of comfort: for the adequacy of the Toyota crossover's behavior on the road, one can forgive the poor sound insulation, the illogical location of some buttons in the cabin, and the stiff suspension.
The level of cross-country ability of the RAV4 differs little from the capabilities of its classmates and is limited by the very concept of the crossover. Of course, the new Toyota is far from an all-terrain vehicle, and the reasonable use of this all-wheel drive vehicle does not imply off-road adventures in the style of trophy raids. But the RAV4 copes with snowdrifts in the yard, with primers on the way to the dacha, and simply with light off-road conditions. The off-road talents of the Japanese crossover are somewhat enhanced by the forced blocking of the viscous coupling, the activation key of which is located to the left of the steering column. However, you shouldn’t rely too much on this mode - it’s not a locking center differential at all (which isn’t here) and it’s not a downshift.
Another natural limiter for the RAV4’s off-road capabilities is the ground clearance, which in the version of the car with a diesel engine is 197 mm, which, of course, is not enough for a confident off-road assault. And when equipped with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, the ground clearance is even less - 165 mm!.. The reason for this is the indecently protruding exhaust pipe, which for some reason Japanese engineers have not done anything with since the previous generation of the model.
Pros and cons of domestic assembly
Continuing to answer the question of where Toyota Rav 4 is assembled , it should be mentioned that the build quality of the domestic one leaves much to be desired. Here are examples:
- Sound insulation is poor. When driving on a country road, stopping at traffic lights, driving on uneven roads, noise is heard from outside the car;
- The material used for the seat upholstery is cheap. This does not correspond to the stated value of the vehicle itself.
Plastic may begin to creak after one year of using the car. And scratches remain on the paintwork. This indicates that cheap material is used.
But it’s not just about the domestic manufacturer. This is also the case with manufacturers in other countries where the legendary Toyota Rav 4 is assembled.
Salon
The interior of the II generation RAV4 corresponds to the time in which the car was produced. Even when looking at the photo of the interior, after 20 years of the evolution of the cars, it becomes clear what the gap is between the Ravchik of the 2000s and today.
Analysts reprimand the automaker for using cheap light gray plastic, which spoils the impression of the Japanese crossover.
The center console, which does not provide the driver with anything other than three switches, also does not correspond to the status of the car.
The interior of the second generation RAV4 can be described as asceticism. And this, in comparison with the cars of today, looks strange.
What will happen to Toyota Rav 4
There were rumors that the plant in St. Petersburg was stopping production of the Toyota Rav 4. Then these rumors were confirmed by the owners of the company. From October 2019, the plant switches to the production of the fifth generation Rav 4. And production of the fourth generation car will be closed.
This will be an updated SUV that will surpass its predecessor, as Japanese vehicle manufacturers say. What will a car enthusiast get when purchasing the updated fifth generation Rav 4:
- new and brutal design. The car will be equipped with new types of headlights: parabolic and projector;
- improved handling. The problems with cross-country ability, due to which the family car of previous generations could not compete with the SUVs of the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series, will be improved;
- reduced center of gravity;
- CVT gearbox with mechanical gearbox. Now the car owner of this car will be able to manually control first and reverse gears. The mechanical part improves acceleration and makes it tens of times faster than the automatic one. And also on an SUV with a CVT transmission and a mechanical gearbox, you won’t be afraid to travel off-road for a long time. Conventional CVTs quickly fail, as they are intended only for urban driving;
- all-wheel drive with two naturally aspirated engines with a volume of 2 and 2.5 liters. With the first engine the car has a power of 150 horsepower, and with the second it has 200 hp;
- updated driver and passenger safety package.
All these parameters make the new Toyota Rav 4 the best vehicle of all that came before. Updated cruise control, road sign recognition and pedestrian identification at night help the driver.
For all ages
According to the creators, the new RAV4 should embody a more brutal style and character; its appearance has something in common with the Land Cruiser and Prado. This may be true, but a buyer interested in automotive design will not be able to help but notice that it has features similar to the Mazda CX5, Subaru Forester and Jaguar F-Pace. “Hodgepodge”? No. And if so, then no more than other models. Everyone copies each other, at least a little bit, ultimately creating original, memorable images.
Gradually, the new generation of RAV4 will also be remembered, although it is rare and looks unusual. What is unusual is, first of all, the large “amount” of design. The crossover has many external details worth looking at. For example, a black “gap” under the leading edge of the hood. For additional ventilation of the engine compartment? No, this is just an artistic element that attracts attention. Black horizontal stripes are visible on the rear pillars, apparently hinting at the idea of a “floating” roof, which has never been implemented. Unfortunately, the RAV4 doesn’t implement it: the stripes are too narrow for this. Maybe they should have made the rear pillars entirely black? Or would it look too similar to the two-tone variants of the Peugeot 3008?
Some models are distinguished by the “aggression” of the front end, but I would call the rear end of the new RAV4 aggressive. This impression is created by the increased slope of the rear window, again referencing Mazda and Jaguar. And the rear lights and the chrome bridge between them are definitely from a Lexus, and a passenger car at that. This “feed” may contribute to the overall improvement in aerodynamics, but the fifth door collects more than enough dirt. Rear view camera lens too.
In general, for some reason the “old” RAV4 was considered a car for older people and people of retirement age. From my point of view, the external design did not correspond to this at all. What about the dynamics? Also no. A certain conservatism was observed in the cabin, but the eclectic scattering of buttons and keys for controlling different systems is also rather something youthful. Older people love rigor and order. And the new RAV4 has much more of this. Although the dashboard is now designed almost like in the youth model CH-R. Here, the 8-inch display also rises above the dashboard and attracts attention because it seems to cover part of the windshield. But you sit behind the wheel and make sure that it does not cover anything, its upper edge does not protrude above the dashboard, which in the new car is located even lower than in the previous one.
True, the size of this “tablet” with a diagonal of 8 inches is more optimal for the RAV4 than for the CH-R. Functionality too. Three main parameters are displayed on the main screen: a map of the area, the source of “music” and average fuel consumption. There is a separate menu page with many icons. You can expand the map to full screen, or you can display a chart of fuel consumption during the trip. The graphics are reminiscent of Lexus.
The dual-zone climate control knobs are large and resemble jet engine nozzles. The surface of the handles themselves is rubberized and corrugated, like those located directly on the multimedia screen. In general, there are many such elements - rubberized and embossed - in the new crossover. For example, the inner surfaces of door handles, the trim of the niche in the center for the dashboard and shelves for gadgets in front of the front passenger. The speakers in the front doors are covered with a deliberately rough mesh. All this vaguely resembles the Jeep Renegade and hints that the crossover has acquired a more off-road rather than “parquet” character. This is partly true.
The previous RAV4 only had one 12-volt outlet for rear passengers. Now they have two USB connectors for charging gadgets. Plus two of the same connectors are nestled inside the central armrest box. And one more - directly under the dashboard, in the middle, from which the multimedia system “reads” music.
The grouping of control buttons for various systems is now much more clear. But a set of buttons is still hidden to the left of the steering wheel; the driver cannot see them at all. But the cruise control is now controlled not by a separate archaic lever, but by buttons directly on the steering wheel spoke. And the “cruise” is now adaptive!
The instrument panel in the top versions of the new RAV4 resembles that in the Toyota Corolla. In the large semicircle of the speedometer into the on-board computer, which reproduces a lot of information. Some of the icons may be a little small, but in any case you will find a display of each system and the required parameter. Except that the sound signals emitted by the car cannot always be correlated with the image on the instrument panel. Often a squeak will be heard - and you wonder what exactly turned on or off? However, an important warning or message will always appear.
All the comfort options known from the previous model have migrated to the new RAV4: keyless access to the cabin, the ability to remotely start and warm up the engine (via the “Toyota Warm Options” mobile application), memory of driver’s seat settings, heated steering wheel, windshield, front and rear seats . Now a system of all-round cameras has been added to them. The front seats have changed, they have become more prominent, but the driver’s body is secured not so much by the side bolsters as by the padding into which you slightly sink. Noticeable “ears” in the upper parts of the backrests do not add much comfort and they appeared here, it seems, in connection with a general trend: this is found on some Chinese models.
Readers ask us to talk more about the transformation of the salon. Please. Parts of the backrest of the rear sofa are adjustable in tilt, although to a very small extent. And, of course, they fold in a 1:2 ratio, most of them are located on the right. Despite the fact that the sofa cushion is not divided and does not rise, parts of the backrest are placed on it strictly flush with the false trunk floor. But if necessary, the raised floor can be positioned a little lower (see photo). The spare wheel is represented by a spare wheel.
Depending on the height of the raised floor, the trunk volume is 542 or 580 liters. There is no threshold in the rear part of the trunk; the height of the raised floor above the ground in an empty car is about 69 cm. The trunk door of the test version was motorized, with a function for opening with a wave of the foot under the rear bumper.
