The Toyota RAV4 is one of the world's most popular and versatile compact SUVs. It offers a spacious interior, reliable performance, and a range of features that cater to different needs and preferences. The 2024 model year marks the sixth generation of the RAV4, and it comes with some significant improvements and innovations that make it stand out from the crowd. This article will review the 2024 Toyota RAV4 and see how it redefines the compact SUV market.
Design and Style of the 2024 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has a sleek and modern design that reflects its dynamic and agile character. The front grille is broader and more prominent, giving the RAV4 a bold and confident look. The LED headlights and taillights are sharper and more angular, enhancing the RAV4's visibility and aesthetic appeal. The body is sculpted and aerodynamic, with smooth curves and lines that reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. The RAV4 also offers a variety of colors and trims, such as the Adventure, the XSE Hybrid, and the Prime Plug-in Hybrid, that suit different tastes and lifestyles.
The interior of the Toyota RAV4 is equally impressive, with a spacious and comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to five passengers and their cargo. The seats are upholstered with high-quality materials, such as leather, fabric, or SofTex, and they are adjustable and heated for optimal comfort. The dashboard is ergonomic and intuitive, with a 9-inch touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The RAV4 also features a digital instrument cluster, a wireless charging pad, a panoramic sunroof, and a JBL premium sound system. The RAV4 also boasts a generous cargo space of 37.6 cubic feet, which can be expanded to 69.8 cubic feet by folding the rear seats.
Performance and Efficiency of the 2024 Toyota RAV4
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 delivers a powerful and smooth performance that can handle any road condition and terrain. The RAV4 offers three engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 219 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine that produces 302 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 offers three transmission options: an eight-speed automatic transmission, an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT), and a direct-shift ECVT. The RAV4 also features a standard front-wheel drive system and an optional all-wheel drive system that enhances the RAV4's traction and stability.
The new Toyota RAV4 is also one of the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs in the market, with an estimated EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the gas engine, 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the road for the hybrid engine, and 94 mpg-equivalent for the plug-in hybrid engine. The RAV4 also has a low emission rating, with an LEV-III ULEV50 certification for the gas engine, an LEV-III SULEV30 certification for the hybrid engine, and an LEV-III ZEV certification for the plug-in hybrid engine. The RAV4 also has a long driving range, with a gas tank capacity of 14.5 gallons, a hybrid battery capacity of 1.6 kWh, and a plug-in hybrid battery capacity of 18.1 kWh.
Safety and Technology of the 2024 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has advanced safety and technology features, making it one of the safest and smartest compact SUVs in the market. The RAV4 comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which is a comprehensive package of active and passive safety systems that help prevent and mitigate collisions, such as:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) detects potential frontal collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and road signs and applies automatic braking if necessary.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) detects unintentional lane departures and provides gentle steering corrections to keep the RAV4 in its lane.
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) helps the RAV4 stay centered in its lane when using the adaptive cruise control system.
- Road Sign Assist (RSA) recognizes and displays speed limit, stop, yield, and do not enter signs on the RAV4's display.
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) maintains a safe distance and speed from the vehicle ahead and can stop and resume the RAV4's movement in traffic.
- Automatic High Beams (AHB)automatically switch between high and low beams depending on the surrounding light conditions and traffic.
The RAV4 also comes with other safety and technology features, such as:
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) warns the RAV4's driver of vehicles in the blind spots and approaching from behind when reversing.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (RCTB) applies the brakes if the RAV4 detects a potential collision when reversing.
- Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB) helps the RAV4 park safely and avoid obstacles by providing audible and visual alerts and applying the brakes if necessary.
- Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) detects objects around the RAV4, reduces the engine power, and applies the brakes if a collision is imminent.
- Bird's Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan provides a 360-degree view of the RAV4's surroundings on the display.
- The Digital Rearview Mirror uses a camera to display a clear and comprehensive view of the rear of the RAV4 on the mirror.
- Head-Up Display (HUD) projects critical information, such as speed, navigation, and safety alerts, on the windshield.
Comparison of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 with Other Compact SUVs
The Toyota RAV4 is not the only compact SUV in the market but is certainly one of the best. To illustrate this point, we can compare the 2024 Toyota RAV4 with some of its competitors, such as the 2024 Honda CR-V, the 2024 Ford Escape, and the 2024 Hyundai Tucson. The table below shows some of the key features and specifications of these four compact SUVs:
Feature/ Specification | Toyota RAV4 | Honda CR-V | Ford Escape | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $26,500 | $25,900 | $24,885 | $24,950 |
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder | 1.5L Turbo 3-cylinder | 2.5L 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 203 hp | 190 hp | 181 hp | 187 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 179 lb-ft | 190 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD/AWD | FWD/AWD | FWD/AWD | FWD/AWD |
| Fuel Economy (city/hwy) | 28/35 mpg | 28/34 mpg | 28/34 mpg | 26/33 mpg |
| Hybrid Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plug-in Hybrid Option | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Cargo Space | 37.6/69.8 cu ft | 39.2/75.8 cu ft | 37.5/65.4 cu ft | 38.7/80.3 cu ft |
| Safety Features | TSS 2.5+ | Honda Sensing | Co-Pilot360 | SmartSense |
| Technology Features | 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, JBL sound system, wireless charging, HUD, digital rearview mirror, bird's eye view camera | 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, 9-speaker sound system, blind spot monitor, cross traffic monitor, rearview camera | 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, 10-speaker sound system, blind spot monitor, cross-traffic alert, rearview camera | 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, 8-speaker sound system, blind spot monitor, cross traffic alert, surround view monitor |
As we can see from the table, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 has some advantages over its rivals, such as:
- It has the most powerful engine options, especially the plug-in hybrid engine that delivers 302 horsepower and 94 mpg-equivalent.
- It has the most advanced safety features, such as the TSS 2.5+, which includes the lane tracing assist, the road sign assist, and the full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control.
- It has the most innovative technology features, such as the 9-inch touchscreen, the Amazon Alexa integration, the head-up display, the digital rearview mirror, and the bird's eye view camera.
These advantages make the Toyota RAV4 a compact SUV with a superior driving experience, higher comfort and convenience, and greater security and confidence. The 2024 Toyota RAV4 is not just a compact SUV but a compact SUV that redefines the compact SUV market.
