It is 1994 again. Well, at least the silver jubilee of that landmark year in the history of crossovers. That’s when Toyota came out with one of the earliest in the line of Crossover SUVs. Toyota RAV4 is marking the occasion with a remarkable fifth generation that has showed up in the UAE with two flagship versions – one that they call “Adventure” and the other, their first “Hybrid Electric SUV”. So, while the former puts together an exciting bundle for those who love the active life, the latter promises a balance of sportiness, practicality and environmental-friendly driving.

THE DIMENSIONS: L 4610 x W 1865 x H 1690 mm (The others are almost a centimeter less in length and height as the Adventure spec RAV4) / Fuel tank: 55L / Boot space: 1065 L

THE SPECS:

PETROL VERSIONS: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, driven by an 8-speed automatic transmission delivering 203hp and 243 Nm of torque

HYBRID ELECTRIC VERSION: 2.5-litre petrol engine delivering 176 hp and 221Nm torque + Two electric motors: Front motor – 118 hp and 202 Nm torque / Rear motor – 53 hp and 120 Nm torque delivering power through a CVT transmission [With some weird Hybrid Maths, total horsepower is 219 hp and torque adds up to 221 Nm from engine + 121 Nm from motors] Transmission: eCVT

THE PERFORMANCE: 0 – 100 kmph: Petrol version Front Wheel Drive – 8.3 seconds / All Wheel Drive – 8.5 sec / Hybrid version – 8.1 seconds

FUEL ECONOMY (Company figures) – Petrol 2WD: 15.5 kmpl / 4WD: 15.1 kmpl / HYBRID: 22.2 kmpl

THE GRADES AND THE PRICE: 2WD GX: AED 99,000, 4WD GXR: AED 119,900, 4WD ‘Adventure’ variant: 129,900, VXR Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): AED 139,900

WOW FEATURES: Wireless charging and Powered boot door in Top trims, 7 airbags as standard, Traction Management Capability for Off-roading

“The all-new RAV4 is a perfect choice for those who like to explore, be it in the city or beyond, with its leading-edge technology and performance… (and) an array of connectivity and infotainment features…” said Saud Abbasi, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Toyota. “The Hybrid Electric variant, especially, will appeal to individuals and families that are not only shopping for performance and looks, but also for an eco-friendly vehicle that reduces their carbon footprint. Naturally, the new RAV4 will also be backed by Al-Futtaim Toyota’s proven aftersales support, as well as market-leading residual values,” he added.

My First Look

The all-new RAV4 looks different all right. The grille has received a lot of rework and is more than just a timid mouth – it is an aggressive orifice waiting to grunt or growl. The ‘Adventure’ version and the Hybrid, being the top trims get differently styled grilles and arresting alloy wheels – 19” in the former and 18” in the latter. The bonnet (hood) looks higher and the shoulders look strong. On closer look, the light settings and the design lines that flank the grille have the same roots as the outgoing model but one cannot deny the fact that the summary of changes make this a totally different SUV from the RAV4 you’ve known, ready to take on the likes of the upcoming Ford Escape or the Honda CR-V. In fact, the grille styling in some ways look like a more aggressive version of the Ford Escape. Advocates of minimalism might still pick up one too many design lines but the all-new polygonal motif gives it a polished appearance combining adventure and charisma.

While the new RAV4 is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, it is longer, lower and wider than before and provides greater interior room. I should add that while the hood (bonnet) looks longer with the low-profile styling, the overhangs (the part ahead of the front tyres and behind the rear tyres) are actually shorter making it easier to go off-road.

Inside, the RAV4 is more spacious and while the first two grades get fabric seats, the Adventure trim gets synthetic leather. The combination of these with some rubber-like material and orange slip-free storage surfaces even feels somewhat funky! The dashboard and door trims feel like quality hard plastic and but if they feels flimsy in a couple of places it helps in keeping the weight down too – the new RAV4 weighs 1529 kg which is 26 kg lighter than the previous model. The boot is rather spacious too, the biggest in the category that can store 4 golf bags, says the Press Release. Hmm… ‘golf bags’?

Tech and safety

RAV4 was always loved for its compact yet spacious practicality and the no-fuss handling. Well, now it is going to be admired for the tech available in this newly enhanced cabin with as many as 19 new features available. Here are the highlights.

7 airbags including side, curtain and knee airbags are now STANDARD across the range. The ‘Adventure’ name for the exclusive grade is justified by a Multi-Terrain Select that defines the SUV part of the deal emphatically. There is a turn dial – yes, like a full time 4WD should – with two options. One Mud & Sand and the other Rock & Dirt, pretty much covering all you need between them. While the top two trims of the Petrol version get a 7-inch infotainment screen, there is a new 8-inch navigation system and panoramic sunroof that is available on the top-spec VXR HEV variant. It is easy to share phone features with screen mirroring but RAV4 beats its rivals by offering a wireless charging feature in the top trim!

As for backing up the SUV, all the trims get rear parking sensors, while all except the base trim get front sensors and rear view camera, too. Downhill Assist button is reserved for the Adventure trim. Toyota Safety Sense with lane keeping and pre-collision is available but the spec sheets here don’t seem to have them – obviously to keep prices optimized in the segment.

The Hybrid Electric SUV

The RAV4 Hybrid Electric model can be driven entirely on electrical ‎power with zero fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, or by combining the power from the petrol ‎engine with that from two electric motors. This is a choice that the vehicle makes based on its speed and your driving style at the point. ‎The hybrid electric batteries get continuously charged on the journey – both as the petrol ‎engine keeps working and while decelerating and braking. So the Hybrid-Electric car works like a regular car when it comes to fuelling; doesn’t need any special fuel and doesn’t need to be plugged into a power source. This Hybrid model also employs a newly developed E-Four system to achieve the All Wheel Driving trait expected of an SUV, for example on slippery hill climbs, while achieving the high fuel efficiency expected of a Hybrid. So, the Hybrid-Electric gets a TRAIL button, which helps optimize its share of adventure; it also has the only ventilated front seats in the range!

FIRST DRIVE – Adventure and Hybrid-Electric

Toyota RAV4 has been a growing favourite among women drivers as well, thanks to its compact yet spacious size and the nippy drive. So Toyota has done everything to retain the machismo that turns men into boys – the grille looks more aggressive and the car looks sleekly muscular; an off-roading dial has been added to call in better torque management capability for diverse terrains; a new trim level that Toyota has fiercely named ‘Adventure’ features rubber and leather materials in a funky orange similar to that found in G-Shock watches!

Though quick and short, altogether just under 20 km between them, the ‘Adventure’ version and the Hybrid gave me a good feel of how they drive. While the Hybrid version is expected to be quiet while on electric mode; the RAV4 has improved its overall noise, vibration and harshness levels and makes for a more soft and comfortable ride. The 0 – 100 figures feel quicker than what the pick up feels like, but that is not to say there is ever a lack of power felt. The Hybrid uses a CVT transmission keeping with the fuel efficiency theme.

Driving the ‘Adventure’ pack, I could hear the 2.5L engine – when pressing the throttle hard. The climb is not as silent as the cabin is, especially given that the gearbox is an 8-speed one that is not in a hurry to shift. But then, some might actually like it making its climb heard – feels more adventurous! The RAV4 is agile and handles rather well – this could be a good deal due to another first – Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Rear Driveline Disconnect. It comes as standard on AWD petrol models and lets up to 50 percent of engine torque to be sent to the rear wheels. Sensing the ground conditions and how much of grip there is, the Dynamic Torque Vectoring can also manage power sharing between the left and right rear wheels to improve handling. The AWD can also decide when four-wheel grip is not needed and can disconnect the drive from the rear wheels as four-wheel drive consumes more fuel.

The launch press release from Al-Futtaim Toyota shares an interesting fact: They have sold over 4,000 HEV vehicles in the UAE since 2008, resulting in saving 340,000 tons of CO2 emissions and over 90 million liters of petrol. That’s roughly enough fuel for more than 600 trips to the moon and back! Even if you are not the kind that makes those weekend trips to the moon, you must be happy to know that the new Hybrid RAV-4 can take care of your Dubai – Abu Dhabi round trips, three times without stopping to fill up! Hmm.