For 2009 Toyota is giving the RAV4 its mid-cycle refreshening. The CUV gets some minor front and rear fascia changes. Probably most interesting is that there is a new Sport Appearance Package for the AWD V6 model that includes run-flat tires--which means no spare tire hanging off the rear door (or spare tire period). This model still has a door, and not a hatch; much like what's seen on the Lexus GX470.
Also newsworthy is the base 4-cylinder engine is all new, and now displaces 2.5 liters. It puts out 179 hp/172 lb.-ft. of torque, vs 166 hp/165 lb.-ft. of torque of the old 2.4 liter engine.
Full story and press release here.
bepperb says:
05:56 AM, 08/ 7/08
It'll be interesting to see the power difference in the new I4. Unfortunately, they still stuck it with a 4speed auto. Compared to the CRV's 5speed and the Rogue's CVT, this is kinda 1999 tech. At least it gained 1mpg on the highway, and some useable power (7ft/lbs more and lower in rpm).
brn says:
06:05 AM, 08/ 7/08
A 2.5L, 180hp, 4cyl engine?
Remember when 4cyls were less than 2.0L? 2.5L used to mean it was a 6cyl.
arumage says:
06:31 AM, 08/ 7/08
It's great that it gained the power, but come on... a 4 spd. The Ford Escape made similar power gains and got a 6-speed. The Escape is also lighter and a couple grand cheaper. The put a 5-speed in the Camry so why couldn't they do that here. It seems like 2 steps forward and one step back.
jerrywimer says:
07:47 AM, 08/ 7/08
They probably would've been better off sticking with the old I4 and putting in a 5 or 6 speed transmission. I also find the sizes of today's modern 4 cylinders to be interesting. I suspect this is largely because of the weight gain caused by all the conveniences and safety items modern cars have now that the old, smaller engines didn't have to deal with.
cah11705 says:
08:36 AM, 08/ 7/08
ill b happy with this car when they give it a real tailgate
opfreak says:
09:26 AM, 08/ 7/08
it is werid they still use the 2.4 / 4spd combo.
esspically since the corrolla that this is based off of, uses the 5spd auto now.
and run flats? booo
festiboi1 says:
12:02 PM, 08/ 7/08
I have never liked this generation of RAV4. It strays too far from the original RAV4 and seems kind of pointless. It's essentially the same size as the Highlander and offers the V6. There's a large gap now for a smaller 4WD
festiboi1 says:
12:06 PM, 08/ 7/08
This generation of RAV4 has never appealed to me. I used to own a 1999 RAV4 and loved it's small size, funky look, and rugged, authentic-Toyota-truck feel. This one seems bloated and moves into Highlander territory in size and price. It has always seemed kind of pointless to have two 4WD's almost the same size and why does a RAV need three rows of seats? It served its purpose well as a singles car, not a family one.
festiboi1 says:
12:07 PM, 08/ 7/08
Oops, double post!
bepperb says:
01:33 PM, 08/ 7/08
Yeah, this new Rav is about the size as the old highlander. But nowhere near the size of a new HL, and nowhere near as plush inside. The third row is a marketing joke, you can't even find one with it, and once you do you realize it's not really the size of a new Highlander at all.
Still, I agree that they left a spot under the Rav for another suv, but I think that in the mind of Toyota, that's what the 4wd 2.4l Vibe is for.
Boo runflats. That backend looks great, but I'm not willing to deal with them (or without a spare if I bought new wheels). Why can't they put it under the car and give us a liftgate? My 04 HL will have to soldier on....
orangutan says:
01:40 PM, 08/ 7/08
The lack of a five or six-speed automatic is troubling. Yes, it achieves the same mileage as the Escape with its new 2.5 I4 + six-speed automatic, but that means the Rav4 would blow the competition out of the water with a modern transmission.
billt9 says:
05:56 PM, 08/ 7/08
New fascia resembles the 4Runner. Nice. Less blobby.
ateixeira says:
08:47 AM, 08/ 8/08
I like the new look, but can't help but thinking they could have gone further.
First off, by far the single item Sienna owners complain about most is the Run-Flats. By *FAR*. Buyer beware - they cost a fortune and don't last, plus few shops can service them.
And while rear visibility is a little better, they could have made that window go lower, or converted the whole thing to a lift gate, which would provide shelter in the rain and need less clearance to open.
The darn thing still opens the wrong way! It blocks the curb. C'mon guys, it's backwards!
Visually, it's a nice improvement.
autoboy16 says:
08:48 AM, 08/ 9/08
I'd like the next tC to have a 2.5 and 5AT and an optional sporty model with a Turbo version(not supercharged) of the same engine with 6AT or 6MT.
180hp 5At (22/34mpg)
&
220hp 6AT (19/29mpg)
Of course it'd need to not gain much weight for it... AND A REAR WIPER!!
-Cj