The Toyota RAV4 is celebrating three decades since it reshaped the automotive landscape, during which time it has become a global SUV icon. In March 1994, the Geneva Motor Show hosted the launch of a new type of vehicle: a compact, all-wheel drive SUV based on a monocoque body. The Toyota RAV4 was an original, being agile, versatile and designed to meet the demands of modern life. The term “SUV” … [Read more...]
Toyota’s big plans for 2024
Toyota will build on its record-breaking sales success in 2023 with a series of new and upgraded models this year. One of the key introductions will be a new battery electric model based on the Urban SUV Concept revealed at Toyota’s Kenshiki forum in early December last year. The production version, ordering for which will open in 2024, will be the most compact and accessible model in a planned … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Excel AWD
It's the original Toyota SUV and the latest RAV4 is still one of the best you can buy in this booming sector. The Recreational Activity Vehicle 4 was launched in the mid-1990s as Toyota's first SUV intended to offer more space and luggage room for families who liked an out-door lifestyle. It was available with a 2.0 petrol engine and choice of front or all-wheel-drive in three or five-door body … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 March
The Toyota RAV4 was again the best selling SUV last year. The Honda CR-V followed and in third was the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Volkswagen Polo has come out at the best selling small car, despite a fall in this size of model over 12 months. The Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio were next most popular. Car of the Year 2020 is the all-new PEUGEOT 208. It rewrites the book in the B segment … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota RAV4 Icon Tech 4×2
Hybrids powertrains are the in-thing at the moment, but that’s not a surprise to Toyota who started development nearly 50 years ago and were among the first to put one on sale 25 years ago. Alongside hybrid technology, Toyota were working on the world’s modern first compact SUV and showed us the RAV4 in the mid 1990s. Come up to date and we have the two sectors merged in the RAV4 Hybrid series … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota C-HR 1.2T Dynamic auto
Few test cars turn heads like the Toyota C-HR. It’s dramatic styling hints at something special and it is, for most parts. The latest Toyota offering in the compact SUV sector where it was solely represented with the RAV4 could not be more different to its stablemate. There is a good 11 model lineup in the C-HR (Coupe High Rider) range utilising three trim levels, front or all wheel drive … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2WD
The RAV4 mid-sized SUV was first introduced in 1994 and billed by Toyota as the first compact 4WD SUV. Since then there has been a continual supply of new and updated models and the latest major change is the introduction of petrol electric Hybrid two and four wheel drive versions. With the Hybrid’s 2.5-litre VVT-i variable valve timing petrol engine plus an electric motor for the 2WD … [Read more...]