2020 Toyota RAV4

2020 Toyota RAV4 Review

Filed under Car Reviews

2020 Toyota RAV4 - Designed to Perform and Excite

Toyota RAV4, one of the country’s most popular midsize SUVs, comes with minor yet exciting new updates for its 2020 model year. The latest generation will feature a standard Android Auto compatibility and a satellite radio across its lineup, with a subscription sold separately. The Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibilities are already standard on its 2019 model range.

Several new features also appear in specific models, like the Satellite navigation with 6-speaker audio with DAB+ digital radio in the GX model, wireless phone charger in the GXL, Cruiser and Edge models; and the premium JBL sound system in the Cruiser and Edge models.

The latest RAV4 also has the option of petrol-electric hybrid technology that offers outstanding power delivery and fuel efficiency in either 2WD or AWD versions. It also stands out for its comfortable and roomy interior, leather-accented interior, soft ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control air conditioning, and plenty of standard safety tech. These latest additions make Toyota RAV4 more versatile, comfortable and exciting to drive.

2020 Toyota RAV4 Aggregated Reviews

CarAdvice.com.au - 8/10
Edmunds.com - 7.7/10
TopGear.com - 7/10
CarsGuide.com.au - 4/5
TheCarConnection.com - 6.5/10
CarandDriver.com - 4/5
Cars.com - 5/5

We Love

  • Tough, sporty styling
  • Option to go hybrid
  • Standard active safety features
  • New smartphone compatibility
  • Spacious cabin and cargo
  • Comfortable and quiet interior
  • Easy-to-use controls
  • Fuel efficiency

Pain Points

  • Limited features on the base model
  • Rough-edged engine noise
  • Expensive top trims
  • Lacklustre power from base powertrain
  • Vague steering

source: cars.comSource: www.cars.com

The exterior of 2020 Toyota RAV4

This midsize SUV looks spacious and boxy on the outside. It has a dimension of 4600mm long (with a 2690mm wheelbase), 1855mm wide, 1685mm high and weighs 1745kg. The sporty design is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, which means a shorter, lower and wider body with a longer wheelbase and wider track.

The distinctive grille, black touches, chrome door handles, and an optional moonroof gives the car an edgy styling that makes it appear more like the Tacoma and 4Runner and less like a chopped-up minivan.

Plenty of lamps are also available across all models, including front halogen fog lamps, LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), LED rear combination lamp and automatic headlamps. The petrol variants have a parabolic LED headlamps with auto levelling while the hybrids use projector LED headlamps.

All variants come with a shark fin antenna, power adjustable side mirrors with heater, electrically retractable side mirrors, resin rear spoiler and rear mudflaps. Meanwhile, the front mudflaps, premium bumper and grille, rear and rear side privacy glass and roof rails are available in all models except GX. The base model also has dual tailpipes while the others have oval dual tailpipes.

The pricier models look sleeker with additional detailing. GXL and Cruiser have premium bumper and grille while Edge comes with a unique Edge design bumper, wheel arch moulding, grille and fog lamp surrounds. It can also be set with an optional tilt and slide panoramic moonroof.

The alloy wheels measure 17" in the GX, 18” in the GXL and Cruiser, and 19” in the Edge. The car also has plenty of body colour options: Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Silver Sky, Graphite, Eclipse Black, Atomic Rush, Eclectic Blue, Saturn Blue, Jungle Khaki, and .

Inside the 2020 Toyota RAV4

The interior of the car is designed for comfort, convenience and safety. Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column, front and rear power windows, 60/40 split fold rear seats, folding rear seat centre armrest, and rear passenger air vents are standard across its lineup. Except for GX, all models also have an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, premium steering wheel and gear lever, and automatic dual-zone climate control.

GXL comes with premium embossed fabric seats, Cruiser has leather accented interior, and Edge has hard wearing SofTex seats. Both Cruiser and Edge also have two position driver’s seat memory, driver and front passenger heated and ventilated seats, and 10-way power driver’s seat and power lumbar support. They also have an optional moonroof that can be open to let in restorative, natural light. Edge is especially designed with an ambient interior cabin lighting.

Other significant features that provide convenience for the driver and passengers include the power back door that allows anyone with the key to open the boot when their hands are full, reversible floor that can be moved up or down to accommodate different cargo sizes, adjusted beltline and side mirrors to provide the driver with more visibility, and a whole suite of storage solutions throughout the cabin to reduce clutter and increase space.

The premium models also have plenty of advanced technology features that provide convenience and comfort for riders. These include a wireless charging system, smart car entry and start system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and full suite of Toyota Safety Sense technologies that’s standard across all models to provide a class-leading safety.


2020 Toyota RAV4Source: www.toyota.com.au

Infotainment and Connectivity

With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibilities, you can enjoy everything you love from your phone via voice command and easily connect to your apps, playlists, messages, and calls even without taking your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road.

Standard across all RAV4 2020 models are the 8" colour touchscreen display, satellite navigation with SUNA Live Traffic, USB input, digital radio4 (DAB+), Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and steering wheel controls with audio, MID, voice recognition and telephone controls. There are 4 additional USB ports and a wireless phone charger for GLX, Cruiser and Edge.

Music can be played in GX, GXL and Cruiser via a 6-speaker audio while Edge use a 9-speaker JBL premium audio.

GX and GXL have an innovative 4.2 inches Multi Information Display (MID) to help any driver get in tune with their vehicle operations. It also lets them check exterior weather conditions and safety systems. Meanwhile, Cruiser and Edge are built with a 7-inch MID with switchable views.

What's it like to drive a 2020 Toyota RAV4?

“It’s incredibly quiet – bloody quiet – and it’s also very nice to drive. It has smooth, immediate acceleration and it quickly settles into an easy groove at higher speeds. Steering is sharp and precise on all surfaces, visibility is good all round, it sits rather nicely on bitumen – and later on gravel and dirt tracks – because it is quite low and wide, and it always feels settled…

“When it comes to off-roading, however, a few factors impact the RAV4’s capability: it’s let down by low ground clearance, its 18-inch wheel and road tyre combination, ordinary wheel articulation, and a lack of hill descent control. You can forgive it for those things though, because the RAV4 is not intended to be a hard-core off-roader – but it is a capable all-wheel drive vehicle if the full extent of your AWD adventures stretch only take in bitumen or those well-maintained surfaces I mentioned above.A set of all-terrain tyres would help it cope better when the going gets a little bit tougher.”

-Marcus Craft on RAV4 2020 Cruiser Hybrid AWD, CarsGuide.com.au

“Like the rest of the RAV4 range, the GX is a doddle to drive around town. The steering is light, visibility excellent, and the ride is comfortable on the base 17-inch alloy wheels. It's also insulated from the outside world, with minimal engine noise and tyre roar sneaking in to ruin the serenity.”

-Scott Collie on RAV4 2020 GX, CarAdvice.com.au

toyota.comSource: www.toyota.com

Who’s the 2020 Toyota RAV4 for?

This versatile, easy-to-maneuver and capable-looking car is ideal for urbanites, small families and groups of friends who love going on off-road adventures and family outings. The target market is basically anyone who’s single or have a family of two or fewer children. It also works well for those who love traveling but do not need extreme speed or off-road prowess.

Budget- and environmentally conscious drivers would also love its record as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) and average pricing.

Feature Summary

  • Price: Starts at $34,685 for GX, $39,885 for GXL, $43,525 for Cruiser, and $51,845 for Edge
  • Body Style: SUV/Crossover
  • Dimension: 4600mm long (with a 2690mm wheelbase), 1855mm wide, 1685mm high and weighs 1745kg.
  • Drivetrain: 2WD; AWD
  • Wheel Size: 17”; 18”; 19”
  • Engine: 2.0L Petrol; 2.5L Petrol; 2.5L Hybrid
  • Transmission: Manual; Automatic; Auto CVT
  • Fuel Economy: 4.7L/100km on RAV4 GX 2.5L Hybrid Auto CVT 2WD and RAV4 GXL 2.5L Hybrid Auto CVT 2WD; 4.8L/100km on RAV4 Cruiser 2.5L Hybrid Auto CVT AWD; 7.3L/100km on RAV4 Edge 2.5L Auto AWD
  • AV and Tech: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and Bluetooth compatibility
  • Safety: Toyota Safety Sense[S1] including Active Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Safety system with Pedestrian (night and day) and Cyclist detection (day only), Lane Departure Alert, Lane Trace Assist (Auto CVT only), Auto High Beam and Road Sign Assist; 7 SRS airbags 5-star 2019 ANCAP rating
  • Seating: 5
  • Doors: 4
  • Colours: Glacier White, Silver Sky, Graphite, Eclipse Black, Atomic Rush, Eclectic Blue, Saturn Blue, Crystal Pearl (only for GXL and Cruiser), and Jungle Khaki (exclusively for Edge)
  • Accessories: 18” alloy wheels, weatherproof cargo mat, weatherproof floor mat, Carpet Floor Mats, bicycle carrier, kayak carrier, ski and snowboard carriers, roof racks, acrylic bonnet protector, boot organiser, cargo barrier, cargo net, dash camera, fabric seat cover, front mudguards, headlamp covers, nudge bar, side steps, Slimline Weathershields, tow bar, towbar and trailer wiring harness
  • Warranty and Maintenance Coverage: Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles, Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles, No complimentary scheduled maintenance
  • Range: GX, GXL, Cruiser, Edge
  • Rivals: Lexus NX, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester


2020 Toyota RAV4 FleetSource: www.toyota.com


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