The Toyota RAV4 was not only one of the original crop of compact
crossovers brought into the world in the mid-1990s; it's been one of the
best-selling ones ever since then. But with redesigned versions of the Honda
CR-V and Ford Escape, it's time for some major change for the RAV4. And for
2013, it has arrived.
While the 2013 Toyota RAV4 has gained some ground in tuning in
with what shoppers in this segment want today; it's also lost some features
along the way--namely, its available third-row seat and its optional
six-cylinder engine.
In short—literally—the Toyota RAV4 leaves room for the larger
Highlander, and plants its feet even more firmly in the compact category this
time around the subdivision. It also dumps its outdated automatic
transmissions, and mixes in more safety and entertainment gear. On the whole,
it's more efficient and a little more enthusiastic in its daily chores, with
more room than the perky Escape and more alert road manners than the CR-V,
though not vice versa.
It's simple to tell whether you're looking at a new RAV4: check
out the rear. Older models had a tailgate-mounted spare tire, but this year
it's gone, put where all other crossovers have it, under the cargo floor. That
plus the gentle migration of the body to a more hatchback-style flow, and to a
lower stance, pitch the RAV4 headlong into the lookalike bin filled with the
Escape, the Santa Fe, even the subtler Mazda CX-5. The Toyota does a better job
than the Escape at putting a carlike face on a taller wagon body, but doesn't
win all day like the Mazda at wrapping its rear end seductively in glass and
metal. The RAV4's tailgate is its sore thumb: the taillamps are pointy and
shelf out, all in the name of meeting safety regulations. There's some discord
in the cockpit too--not in the clash of lines and surfaces, but in the plastics
that form them. It's rare we like cheaper plastic better, but too many kinds of
trim turn us away from the Limited and its synthetic leather, and toward the
more durable, less complicated-looking RAV4 LE.
It's a case of give and take in performance, where the RAV4
gives up its V-6 aspirations for better, more carlike handling. There's only a
176-horsepower four-cylinder under the hood now, but it's saved by a six-speed
automatic with a sport-shift mode and a 0-60 mph time in the acceptable range
(under 9 seconds). Smoother than it is swift, the drivetrain doesn't get in the
way often, but never spurs the urge to drive more as we've felt in the latest
Ford Escape. Revamped suspension tuning lets the RAV4 ride lower, and electric
power steering has good weighting and centering feel. The choice at hand is
whether to stand by the front-drive versions and their slightly lower curb
weight, or opt for the upgraded, $1400 all-wheel-drive system, which not only
locks the rear wheels in line in foul
weather, but delivers some torque back there when the RAV4 tacks into a
sweeping corner. Whatever the choice, avoid the
Eco mode button--it's called that because "joy extinguisher" wouldn't
fit--and we'd stick with the 17-inch tires on LE and XLE versions for a more
absorbent ride.
The RAV4 ups its safety ante with eight airbags as standard
equipment, including knee airbags. Also standard across the board: Bluetooth
and a rearview camera. Blind-spot monitors with cross-traffic alerts are
available on the top trim level. Safety ratings are top-notch for the most
part, but they're sullied a bit by a single 'Poor' rating in the new IIHS small
overlap frontal test.
Among
other features, the base RAV4 LE also comes with power locks, windows, and
mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering;
steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and an AM/FM/CD player controlled
through a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLE adds dual-zone automatic climate
control; a sunroof; and fog lights, to which the Limited adds a leather-wrapped
steering wheel.Major
options on the RAV4 include navigation on the XLE and Limited, with Entune app
connectivity and satellite radio; and on the Limited, a JBL audio system with
576 watts of power and 11 speakers.
The
2013 Toyota RAV4 carries a base price of $24,145 on the LE model. We'd choose
it, or the $25,135 XLE, with or without all-wheel drive, and leave the Limited
for the few who have to pay $27,855 for a power driver seat and those 18-inch
wheels. Knowing the RAV4's core audience, the decider could well end up being
satellite radio and navigation: they're unavailable on the LE, an option on the
XLE. Choose well--or at least, choose your smartphone substitute well.
Source:
thecarconnection.com
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