Toyota South Africa Motors has revealed initial details of the new RAV4 range that is scheduled to launch locally in March 2019.
The local line-up of the fifth-generation version of the Japanese brand’s popular SUV will comprise five derivatives at launch. As we reported late in 2018, no diesel powertrains (the outgoing range includes a 2,2-litre oil-burner) will be offered.
Instead, the engine line-up will comprise a 2,0-litre four-cylinder unit (with new outputs of 127 kW and 207 N.m) and a 2,5-litre powerplant (now churning out 152 kW and 250 N.m) – both naturally aspirated petrol motors.
In base GX trim, the smaller mill will be available in six-speed manual guise or mated with a continuously variable transmission (both front-wheel drive), while in flagship VX specification only a CVT will be offered. In addition, the 2,0-litre will come in all-wheel-drive flavour, specified in mid-range GX-R trim (which includes an enlarged front grille, skid plates and wheelarches) with a CVT.
Interestingly, the sole 2,5-litre derivative (in range-topping VX form) will employ a conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, sending drive to all four wheels. This mechanical all-wheel-drive arrangement features Toyota’s first dynamic torque vectoring system.
Nine exterior colours will be offered for the GX and VX trim levels, while the GX-R derivative will be available in four standard hues and one optional colour. GX variants will furthermore feature black fabric upholstery and 17-inch alloys, while GX-R and VX models will ship standard with leather and larger wheels (18-inch items in the case of the former and 19-inch alloys for the latter).
GX and GX-R derivatives will boast full-size spare wheels and a claimed 492-litre luggage capacity, while the VX’s temporary spare sees boot space climb to a claimed 572 litres.
Pricing, of course, will be revealed closer to the local launch in March 2019. In the meantime, keep an eye out for road-test engineer Peter Palm’s first impressions of the new RAV4 after driving it in Spain…
