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22nd
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Here to win
I blogged fondly about Toyota a while back. In short, I said that the juggernaut that is Japan's No. 1 carmaker and (at times) the world's, will not sit back and watch the car industry go by without putting up a serious brawl.
I'd written this before I'd stepped foot in the new Avalon or RAV4, after having tested the latest Camry, Sienna and Highlander -- oh, and this other car called the Scion FR-S. With these experiences in hand, I knew full well that the 2013 Toyota RAV4 was going to be good.
From a mid- to rear-pack contender, the new RAV4 has skipped jail and gone straight to “go.” In one short week, I discovered a refined, somewhat good looking and well-sorted compact crossover that could likely hoist itself to the top of this category's hit list before the mid-point of this decade.
What is a Toyota RAV4?
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is one of the latest entrants in the hotly contested compact crossover segment. If I blur the lines slightly, and blend compact and midsize CUVs, they accounted for 6 out 20 of the bestselling vehicles in Canada for 2012. These things are big business.
The RAV4's lineup has been simplified this year where there is only one engine and two similar trims per number of drive wheels. A fully loaded AWD Limited model rounds out the available trims.
Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 does without a V6 engine offering. The sole powerplant is a 176 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder shared with the Camry. Standard is a 6-speed automatic transmission. The only mechanical option is selecting between AWD and FWD.
Electric power steering and a fully independent suspension are part of the RAV4 right out of the box.
Entry level LE trim pricing begins at $23,790. The as-tested AWD Limited retails for $34,835 which includes the Technology Package.
Driving the Toyota RAV4
Modern Toyotas are not renowned for their driving dynamics. I was therefore expecting a humdrum driving experience, but I was wrong. I will not tell you that the 2013 Toyota RAV4's ride and drive rivals those of a sporty car, but what I came across was very good.
The RAV4 turns out to be a mix of some of the best elements from numerous competitors. On the driving front, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 features (dare I say it?) some European flair? The suspension manages civilized road manners along with some fine handling characteristics.
Steering is well weighted and fairly precise. Best of all, I was pleased with the responsive brake pedal, something Toyota has struggled with in the past.
The 2013 Toyota RAV4's 4-pot is plenty powerful, being well matched to the transmission's gearing. From a standstill, acceleration is lively and full on; the 2.5L doesn't attempt to tear open your eardrums.
The tested Limited included a Sport and an ECO drive button. Although the ECO did little but choke fuel delivery; in Sport mode, the RAV4 seemingly gains 15 hp by my seat-of-the-pants gauge.
After a week's drive, my returned fuel consumption average was a reasonable 11L/100 km.
Inside and Out of the Toyota RAV4
The current trend in this segment is taut and tall. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 fulfills the criteria once more blending visual cues from the Kia Sportage and a few others. The resulting shell is fine to behold, pushing neither the ugly or handsome limits.
The tested Limited does include niceties such as fog lights, 18” wheels and some brightwork which class it up.
The big news is the arrival of a conventional hatch replacing the previously mostly unappreciated out-swinging door with spare tire.
Stepping aboard the RAV4 is enlightening. Unlike the Sienna or even the Lexus RX 450h, the 2013 Toyota's cabin is modern. The dashboard is a Japanese copy of a German-designed Korean car's (Sportage, again) but works quite well here. My Limited even had stitched leather all over it...
The ergonomics are spot on save for a button or two that can be difficult to see/read at the very bottom of the centre stack.
The seats up front are rather comfortable providing a good grip on occupants. The rear bench is roomy, easily accessible, and the trunk is capacious.
Comparing the Toyota RAV4
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 did a small number on me. I'm a big fan of a few of the vehicles in this group -- namely the heavy-hitting Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan -- but I think the RAV4 matches them blow-by-blow.
From very old (2006-‘12) to very new, the RAV4 clearly has its work cut out for it, however, it has much going for it namely that it's a Toyota and that it is assembled in Canada.
I blogged fondly about Toyota a while back. In short, I said that the juggernaut that is Japan's No. 1 carmaker and (at times) the world's, will not sit back and watch the car industry go by without putting up a serious brawl.
I'd written this before I'd stepped foot in the new Avalon or RAV4, after having tested the latest Camry, Sienna and Highlander -- oh, and this other car called the Scion FR-S. With these experiences in hand, I knew full well that the 2013 Toyota RAV4 was going to be good.
From a mid- to rear-pack contender, the new RAV4 has skipped jail and gone straight to “go.” In one short week, I discovered a refined, somewhat good looking and well-sorted compact crossover that could likely hoist itself to the top of this category's hit list before the mid-point of this decade.
 |
What is a Toyota RAV4?
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is one of the latest entrants in the hotly contested compact crossover segment. If I blur the lines slightly, and blend compact and midsize CUVs, they accounted for 6 out 20 of the bestselling vehicles in Canada for 2012. These things are big business.
The RAV4's lineup has been simplified this year where there is only one engine and two similar trims per number of drive wheels. A fully loaded AWD Limited model rounds out the available trims.
Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 does without a V6 engine offering. The sole powerplant is a 176 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder shared with the Camry. Standard is a 6-speed automatic transmission. The only mechanical option is selecting between AWD and FWD.
Electric power steering and a fully independent suspension are part of the RAV4 right out of the box.
Entry level LE trim pricing begins at $23,790. The as-tested AWD Limited retails for $34,835 which includes the Technology Package.
 |
| The 2013 Toyota RAV4 does without a V6 engine offering. The sole powerplant is a 176 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder shared with the Camry. (Photo: Olivier Delorme) |
Driving the Toyota RAV4
Modern Toyotas are not renowned for their driving dynamics. I was therefore expecting a humdrum driving experience, but I was wrong. I will not tell you that the 2013 Toyota RAV4's ride and drive rivals those of a sporty car, but what I came across was very good.
The RAV4 turns out to be a mix of some of the best elements from numerous competitors. On the driving front, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 features (dare I say it?) some European flair? The suspension manages civilized road manners along with some fine handling characteristics.
Steering is well weighted and fairly precise. Best of all, I was pleased with the responsive brake pedal, something Toyota has struggled with in the past.
The 2013 Toyota RAV4's 4-pot is plenty powerful, being well matched to the transmission's gearing. From a standstill, acceleration is lively and full on; the 2.5L doesn't attempt to tear open your eardrums.
The tested Limited included a Sport and an ECO drive button. Although the ECO did little but choke fuel delivery; in Sport mode, the RAV4 seemingly gains 15 hp by my seat-of-the-pants gauge.
After a week's drive, my returned fuel consumption average was a reasonable 11L/100 km.
 |
| The tested Limited included a Sport and an ECO drive button. (Photo: Olivier Delorme) |
Inside and Out of the Toyota RAV4
The current trend in this segment is taut and tall. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 fulfills the criteria once more blending visual cues from the Kia Sportage and a few others. The resulting shell is fine to behold, pushing neither the ugly or handsome limits.
The tested Limited does include niceties such as fog lights, 18” wheels and some brightwork which class it up.
The big news is the arrival of a conventional hatch replacing the previously mostly unappreciated out-swinging door with spare tire.
Stepping aboard the RAV4 is enlightening. Unlike the Sienna or even the Lexus RX 450h, the 2013 Toyota's cabin is modern. The dashboard is a Japanese copy of a German-designed Korean car's (Sportage, again) but works quite well here. My Limited even had stitched leather all over it...
The ergonomics are spot on save for a button or two that can be difficult to see/read at the very bottom of the centre stack.
The seats up front are rather comfortable providing a good grip on occupants. The rear bench is roomy, easily accessible, and the trunk is capacious.
 |
| The dashboard is a Japanese copy of a German-designed Korean car's (Sportage, again) but works quite well here. (Photo: Olivier Delorme) |
Comparing the Toyota RAV4
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 did a small number on me. I'm a big fan of a few of the vehicles in this group -- namely the heavy-hitting Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan -- but I think the RAV4 matches them blow-by-blow.
From very old (2006-‘12) to very new, the RAV4 clearly has its work cut out for it, however, it has much going for it namely that it's a Toyota and that it is assembled in Canada.