Has Rav4 made the right style shift?

By: Jason Woosey

Toyota's facelifted Rav4 is being launched in South Africa this week and as you can see it's not one of those subtle upgrades where you have to haul out a microscope to spot the differences before consulting a product expert after you failed to notice the new piece of chrome below the foglights.

While the basic shape remains as before, Toyota's stylists have completely redesigned the front end to the point where it looks like it's trying to be a sporty car rather than an SUV. Key design traits here are the shapelier LED-equipped headlights, slimmer grille and new two-tier bumper with more colour coding than before.

Subtler changes abound at the rear end, where you'll see restyled LED taillights, and a reshaped lower tailgate, tailgate garnish and bumper. New paint options (Pure Blue Metallic and Dark Red Mica Metallic) and fresh alloy wheel designs round off the external changes, with 17-inch five-spoke rims fitted to the GX and 18-inchers with 10 spokes in the VX.

You won't see any radical changes inside the new Rav4, but Toyota has made a few small changes to improve the “sensory quality” of the cabin. Examples include improved ambient lighting and materials in the gearshift area and more distinct “ornamentation textures”. Ergonomic enhancements include a 2.4-inch colour multi-information display in the instrument cluster and a sunglasses holder in the overhead cluster.

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Some spec upgrades have also been made, with base GX models gaining a reverse camera, trailer sway control, an alarm and automatic headlight levelling. All versions of the Rav4 now also gain auto door locking.

As before, GX models are fitted with manual air conditioning, power windows, six-speaker Display Audio sound system with Bluetooth Connectivity, seven airbags and VSC stability control. The flagship VX adds full leather trim, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, keyless start and powered tailgate.

Engines carry over from the previous range, these being a pair of normally aspirated petrol units - 107kW 2-litre and 132kW 2.5-litre - and a 110kW 2.2-litre D-4D turbodiesel.

The 2-litre petrol is mated to either a six-speed manual or CVT gearbox, driving the front wheels in both cases. The 2.2 D-4D GX also has a six-speed manual and 2WD, while the VX version gets permanent all-wheel drive a six-speed autobox. The latter transmission combo also applies to the 2.5 petrol.

PRICES

2.0 GX - R327 700

2.0 GX CVT - R338 800

2.2D GX - R409 900

2.5 AWD VX AT - R457 000

2.2D AWD VX AT - R487 400

Prices include a three-year / 100 000km warranty and five-year / 90 000km service plan.

RIVALS

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