  2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Greg Wilson
The fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 has abandoned any pretensions of off-road prowess for a more pavement-friendly compact ute design characterized by sportier, more aggressive styling, improved fuel economy, better handling, improved maneuverability, and easier access to the cabin and cargo area.
Like other manufacturers of small utes, Toyota finally realized they needed to revise their design to the real-life uses of the RAV4 (commuting to work, trips to the mall) versus the perceived uses (climbing the Rubicon trail, fording the Kokanee river).
However, the dramatic changes to the RAV4 didn’t come without a few sacrifices: last year’s awesome 269-hp 3.5L V6 engine with its superior 1,590 kg (3,500 lb) towing capacity and class-leading acceleration was dropped without even a press release – along with the accompanying Downhill Assist Control and Hill-Start Assist Control.
Also thrown out with the V6 was the optional third row seat. Yes, we often complained that it was only big enough for small children, but in retrospect, we think it’s quite likely that some parents were happy to have those extra two seats when their children’s friends and relatives needed a ride to the park or school.
Whew! Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I can get to the review!
The only engine available for 2013 is a slightly less powerful 176-hp version of last year’s 2.5L four-cylinder engine coupled to a new six-speed automatic transmission with ECO and Sport modes (replacing the previous four-speed automatic). This combination provides a 0 to 100 km/h time of 9.0 seconds (Consumer Reports), more than a second faster than with last year’s 2.5L four-cylinder/four-speed auto combination.
  013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Click image to enlarge |
As well, Toyota claims the four-cylinder powertrain offers an average six percent improvement in fuel economy over last year’s four-banger. According to the EPA, 2013 RAV4 AWD fuel consumption ratings are 10.7 city/8.1 hwy. That’s better than the 2013 Ford Escape 4WD 2.0T (11.2 city/8.4 hwy) and the Subaru Forester AWD (11.2 city/8.7 hwy), but not quite as good as the Mazda CX-5 2.0-litre (9.4 city/7.6 hwy), Honda CRV 4WD (10.7 city/7.8 hwy), and Ford Escape 4WD 1.6T (10.7 city/7.8 hwy). Our onboard fuel consumption readout was showing an average of 10.6 L/100 km after a week of ruthless driving.
Though the 2.5L four is not the powerhouse that the optional 3.5L V6 was, it has all the power you need for daily commuting. Acceleration from a standing start is prompt and throttle tip-in is not too sensitive. Acceleration on to the freeway is brisk enough to keep you ahead of looming semi-trailers and when cruising at 100 km/h on a level freeway, the engine is comfortably revving at just 2,000 rpm in sixth gear.
New for 2013, the standard six-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smartly at lower speeds, but at higher speeds, we found that it slides from gear to gear in effort to dampen any shift abruptness. This works, but it feels and sounds a bit strange. Should you wish to shift manually, the automatic transmission can be shifted sequentially using the floor shift lever but there are no shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
    2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Click image to enlarge |
For 2013, RAV4 drivers now have a choice of Normal, Eco or Sport modes activated by pressing a dash-mounted button. Eco mode causes the transmission to shift earlier and reduces throttle input to save fuel while Sport mode sharpens throttle response, delays shifts and firms up the steering feel for better performance. The difference in performance between these three modes is not dramatic but Sport mode does tend to keep the engine revs up for better throttle response. As well, in models equipped with all-wheel drive, an electronically controlled coupling near the rear differential helps improve handling by sending more torque to the rear differential when cornering. In Sport mode, as much as 50 percent of the engine’s torque can be sent to the rear wheels to improve cornering and reduce understeer.
To further improve handling, ground clearance has been reduced from 190 mm (7.5 in.) to 159 mm (6.3 in.) thereby lowering the RAV4’s centre of gravity. For easier manoeuvring in tight spaces, the RAV4’s turning circle has been reduced from 11.4 m (37.4 ft.) to 10.6 m (34.8 ft.) (except for Limited models with 18-inch tires 11.2 m/36.7 ft.). Overall, we found that the RAV4’s stiffer suspension, lower ride height, improved all-wheel drive system, and a tighter turning circle provided sharper, flatter handling, improved body control and increased maneuverability when parking and u-turning; but ride comfort suffers over sudden pavement breaks, uneven road construction, potholes, sewer covers, and other less than smooth road surfaces. Still, the highway ride over smooth pavement is very comfortable. Our XLE model was equipped with Michelin Latitude Touring 225/65R-17 inch all-season tires which provided a good blend of comfort, grip and quietness in dry summer weather conditions.
In winter, we expect that the RAV4’s reduced ground clearance will make it more difficult to navigate snow-covered side streets, but we’re glad to see the driver-selectable differential lock button which locks up the diff for a 50/50 front/rear torque distribution at low speeds (up to 40 km/h). This feature can be very useful when the vehicle is stuck!
Though it has the same wheelbase as the last model, the 2013 RAV4 is shorter in overall length, lower in height and has less ground clearance and a lower step-in height. All four door openings are large making it easy to get in and out but there is a small lip to step over. The upright seating positions and tall roof provide generous head and legroom for four adults, though a third rear passenger can squeeze into the middle-rear seat. The driver sits up high and the steering wheel is positioned low with good visibility to the front and rear. A tilt/telescopic steering wheel and manually height adjustable driver’s seat are standard in all RAV4s (power in Limited), but we were disappointed to see no lumbar adjustment on the XLE. The front seats are comfortable with prominent side bolsters while the rear seats are firm and a bit low relative to the window ledge.
We liked the design of the small three-spoke steering wheel, large door pull handles, easy-to-reach dual zone climate control and 6.1-inch touchscreen on the protruding centre console, large central speedometer, and extra-large side mirrors, but we thought the LCD displays in the instrument cluster and climate control were definitely low-grade, and the buttons under the climate control were hard to see and difficult to reach.
    2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Click image to enlarge |
In general, we weren’t impressed with the quality of the interior materials, particularly the quality of the Sport fabric seat material in the XLE which apparently is better than the regular fabric material in the LE. As well, the fake turned-steel trim on the console and doors, the faux stitching on the padded dash, vinyl steering wheel, and layered dash top are all rather cheap-looking.
We’d recommend getting the 6.1-inch touchscreen with the optional Navigation Package ($1,170) which includes XM satellite radio (once you’ve had satellite radio, you can’t go back). By pressing a button on the steering wheel, telephone, audio and navigation functions can be operated via voice commands and it’s just a matter of learning which commands the system will accept. You can change channels, make calls, and find destinations without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the steering wheel. However, the touchscreen and the Navigation Package are not available on the base LE trim.
The RAV4’s roomy cargo area can be made larger by folding down one or both rear seatbacks after tilting the rear head restraints forwards. The back of the seatbacks have a black liner that matches the cargo floor to prevent damaging the seats, however the rear wheel wells and side walls are made of hard plastic which can be scratched easily by cargo. Smaller packages can be kept out of sight in the hidden storage spaces under the cargo floor, and there is a sliding privacy cover (standard on XLE and Limited models) to hide the entire cargo area below the side window levels. Compared to last year’s RAV4, there is about 70 litres more cargo room behind the rear seats 1,090 litres (38.4 cu. ft.). With the rear seats folded down, there is slightly more cargo room (2,080 litres/73.3 cu. ft.) making the RAV4 one of the roomiest cargo-carriers in its class.
    2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Click image to enlarge |
Loading cargo from the rear is now a lot easier thanks to the new top-hinged hatch door which replaces the sideways-opening rear tailgate and a lower cargo floor and loading height. However, the hatch release is positioned quite high up underneath the rear window rather than at the bottom of the door. Thankfully, the gas struts that support the hatch provide some assist in raising it (Limited models have a power liftgate). The temporary spare tire, formerly mounted on the tailgate is now mounted out of the way under the cargo floor (one reason the third row seat was eliminated).
Significant new safety features for 2013 include warning sensors: lane departure alert, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, backup sensors, and automatically dimming high beams; but they’re only available as an option on the top-of-the-line RAV4 Limited trim. As well, the RAV4 now has eight airbags in addition to the standard Star Safety System with stability and traction control, brake assist, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake differential, and smart stop system.
2013 Toyota RAV4s range in price from $23,790 for the base front-wheel drive LE trim to $31,700 for the loaded RAV4 AWD Limited. LE and XLE trims are offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, but Limited trims come only with all-wheel drive.
  2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Click image to enlarge |
Standard on the base 2013 RAV4 FWD LE is air conditioning, power windows, Bluetooth phone and audio, AM/FM/CD audio with four speakers, remote entry and power door locks, cruise control, power heated mirrors, and 17-inch tires and steel wheels. Mid-level XLE trims add the 6.1-inch touchscreen with rear-view camera, six-speaker audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, moonroof, privacy cover, rear intermittent wiper, and front fog lights. Top-of-the-line AWD Limited trim adds 18-inch tires and alloys, artificial leather Soft-Tex upholstery, power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, push-button start, power liftgate, chrome door handles, and automatic headlights.
Our 2013 RAV4 AWD XLE test vehicle (MSRP $29,200) included the optional Navigation Package ($1,170). Plus Freight and PDI ($1,635) plus A/C tax ($100), the as-tested price came to $32,105.
Toyota RAV4s are built in sunny Woodstock, Ontario.
Pricing: 2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD
Base price: (LE) $23,790
Base price: (XLE AWD) $29,200
Options: $1,170 (Navigation Package: Navigation system and screen, display audio, XM satellite radio, voice recognition)
Freight & PDI: $1,635
A/C tax: $100
Price as tested: $32,105
Competitors:
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Escape
GMC Terrain
Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tucson
Mazda CX-5
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Volkswagen Tiguan
Crash test results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
