The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is here, a bold design and one that many people are happy to see. The Toyota RAV4 is one of those vehicles that people see on the roads every day, and it just starts to blend into the background. Over the past two years the RAV4 has kept the competition at bay with it’s updated version. This RAV4 is quite exciting, sleek body lines, lower and a little wider making this more aerodynamic. Swept back headlights and a more aggressive front end are just some of the changes made a few years ago. The rear lift-gate features a one touch operation that has selectable memory height settings, perfect for my family were my wife had it set so low I could barely get my arm in and I had it set so she would need a step ladder to close it.
There are five models to choose from FWD LE, FWD XLE, AWD LE, and AWD Limited, giving a little something for everybody.
Ample use of soft touch materials can be found throughout the interior. Comfortable front seats and rear seats that take into consideration the comfort of your passengers. 60/40 split fold down with reclining seat backs that are just as comfortable as the front seats and lots of leg room too. The driver’s seat on the LE models features a 6-way manual adjustment while the Limited model receives an 8 way power adjustable. The cargo area has a capacity of 1.09m and 2.08m with the rear seats folded down.
Many safety items are standard in this RAV4. Dual stage driver and passenger airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, roll sensing front and rear head/ side curtain airbag. Star safety system which includes vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. There are also lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, and rear cross traffic alert available as an option, which I think should be standard on all new models.
I am really impressed with how quiet and comfortable the interior is. You can hold a conversation with your children in the back without have to yell over the road noise. I found the 4-cylinder engine to be smooth and responsive.
Improving upon a vehicle that has a proven track record, while keeping up with the latest technologies one reason Toyota continues to be so popular today.
A 2.5 Litre, Hybrid Synergy drive (HSD), 2.5 Litre, 4 cylinder gas engine with 176 horsepower and 172 lb ft of torque mated to a 6 speed automatic electronically controlled transmission with sequential shift mode.
