Almost a year after its global reveal at the 2018 New York Auto Show, Borneo Motors, the official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Singapore, has unveiled the all-new RAV4 at the 2019 Singapore Motor Show, being the first ASEAN country to receive the popular crossover.
Toyota focused on the theme of “Robust Design”, which means that Toyota has made efforts to create a RAV4 that has a “chiseled appearance that is a perfect combination of athleticism and charisma”. The RAV4’s front fascia leads into a more dynamic profile, and robust shoulders. 18-inch wheels make for a powerful stance that’s ready to tackle any road, any time. Compared to its predecessor, the new RAV4 has shorter front and rear overhangs, as Toyota has made sure that the RAV4 will be able to tackle different kinds of terrain.
The Toyota RAV4 now utilizes the popular TNGA K platform, which, like the Toyota Corolla, now utilizes a multilink rear suspension for improved ride and handling. Chassis rigidity has also been improved by 57%, says Toyota, through the liberal use of high strength steel, adhesives, and new welding techniques. The new RAV4 is lower, wider, but shorter, and though its length has shortened, wheelbase has increased for improved interior room. Due to the RAV4’s new dimensions, it has now become a sportier, more dynamic crossover than it used to be, with its low, wide dimensions providing better cornering agility.
On the inside, Toyota’s liberal use of soft touch surfaces, matte panels, and shiny finishes elevate the premium feel of the RAV4’s interior. Many interesting designs and shapes highlight the interior of the RAV4, while the multitude of rubberized surfaces make sure that the important parts of the interior does not get scratched. Highlighting the interior design is the floating infotainment system, which strangely is not a touch screen. For the Singaporean market, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster comes as standard. Wireless charging, LED ambient lighting, passive entry with push button start, as well as an automated trunk with hands-free trunk release comes as standard.
The SG-market RAV4 comes as standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Pre-Collision Detection, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning. This comes on top of seven airbags, electronic stability control, and hill start assist.
Under the hood of the Toyota RAV4 is Toyota’s new M20A-FKS 2.0 liter Dynamic-Force inline-4 engine, which features direct-injection, Dual VVT-i, and Dual VVTi-E. It utilizes a long stroke design, and a high 13:1 compression ratio. The new engine produces 170 hp and 203 Nm of torque, impressive for a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4 petrol engine. Power is sent through the front wheels via Direct Shift CVT, which has 10-speed simulated gears and a launch gear. The launch gear is meant to assist the CVT while crawling or when launching the car from a complete stop, making the RAV4 accelerate and respond quicker off the line.
The Toyota RAV4 goes on sale in Singapore at a price of SGD119,988 (PHP4,625,771). Toyota Motor Philippines has not yet given any hints on when or whether the RAV4 is coming to the Philippines, but it is estimated that it will arrive either late 2019 or early 2020.
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