Toyota took the opportunity at the 2012 LA Auto Show to debut the all new 4th generation 2014 RAV4 to the world. The all new design has been updated with a sleeker roofline, aggressive front and rear fenders, and bold tailights to give off a rugged look. The biggest exterior channge is the rear door, where it is now a traditional roof hinged tailgate. Often the biggest complaint of the RAV4, the outgoing model’s side hinged door is gone, along with the rear mounted spare tire. s intent on subverting the compact-crossover template by building one that’s actually fun to drive. We singled out the then-new CX-5 in a six-model comparison test last year [“The Minors,” September 2012], proclaiming it enthusiast-primed despite a 155-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that left it last in acceleration tests. Our esteem for the 2013 CX-5 came from its handling, but for the 2014 model year a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 184 horsepower comes standard in all but the base trim.
A Nicer View Than Ever Of Middle Of The Road When we had our first shot behind the wheel of the 2013 Toyota RAV4, the overall judgment from Managing Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski could be summed up in a sentence along the lines of, "Eh, not bad." The truth is that the compact crossover segment, now filled with not-so-compact offerings, is as cutthroat as any in the industry these days. When a heavyweight player like the RAV4 comes to market with a new generation vehicle.The result is an official combined urban/highway fuel-consumption rating (according to Transport Canada’s rosy-eyed scheme) of 7.7 litres per 100-kilometres in front-wheel drive and 8.1 with the optional all-wheel drive. Both represent an improvement of about half a litre over the previous generation. But the front-wheel figure still lags Mazda’s CX-5, at just under seven litres per 100, and other competitors from GM, Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi.
The result is an official combined urban/highway fuel-consumption rating (according to Transport Canada’s rosy-eyed scheme) of 7.7 litres per 100-kilometres in front-wheel drive and 8.1 with the optional all-wheel drive. Both represent an improvement of about half a litre over the previous generation. But the front-wheel figure still lags Mazda’s CX-5, at just under seven litres per 100, and other competitors from GM, Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi.Folding down the 60/40 split seats increases things to a class leading 73.3 cu. ft. of storage space. The new steering wheel now includes controls for audio, Bluetooth, as well as buttons for the Multi-Informational Display. All RAV4’s will come standard with a 6.1″ LCD touchscreen and backup camera, with optional GPS, voice recognition, and 576 watt speaker system.
2014 Toyota RAV4
Just last week, your humble author had a 2013 Toyota RAV4 in his garage, and he couldn't help noting that even in mid-level XLE trim, its aesthetics lacked oomph, due in large part to its cheap-looking black bumpers and airy-looking wheel wells. Judging by the RAV4 The main drive, along easy rural highways between Woodstock and Cambridge and a small stretch of the 401, didn’t allow the RAV4 much scope to strut its stuff, but it was enough to reveal it’s well-made and finished, stable, quiet except when floored, and outfitted with very comfortable front seats and plenty of room in back.
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