2013 Toyota RAV4 Revealed

Redesigned RAV4 Debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show

Toyota gave us a tease last week, letting us know that the 2013 RAV4 was coming better than ever. The company made good on its promise last week at the Los Angeles auto show, when the company officially unveiled the redesigned soft roader.

The 2013 RAV4 will be the fourth-generation RAV4 since 1994 and is an all-new model redesigned with the latest Toyota styling, in order to bring the RAV4 back on top of its class.

2013 RAV4

Under the hood, Toyota is no longer offering the 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, opting to bring back the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine instead. Expect this engine to produce 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque.

Front wheel drive models of 2013 RAV4 are expected to receive EPA ratings of 24/31 mpg city/highway, improving on the 22/28 mpg rating for the outgoing model. Expect the all-wheel-drive RAV4s to achieve 22/29 mpg, a slight improvement over the third-generation model.

Trims

The 2013 RAV4 will be available three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited.

The LE trim will come equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, power windows, power side mirrors, eight airbags, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and 60/40 split/folding second-row seats.

Those who opt for the RAV4’s XLE trim will add on 17-inch alloy wheels and bucket seats with side bolstering.

At the top of the 2013 RAV4 lineup is the Limited model, which will equip the vehicle with bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a programmable power liftgate (for added convenience at the store), and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The RAV4 Limited will also offer heated front seats, and the driver's seat has memory settings and power lumbar. The 2013 RAV4 Limited also adds on a more modern center console, featuring a standard 6.1-inch touch screen.

Updates

In a break with tradition, the new RAV4 has a conventionally top-hinged tailgate for the first time (which can now be power-operated for the Limited trim), over the awkward side swinging door that used to make it slightly inconvenient to users.

The 2013 RAV4 retains its predecessor's 104.7-inch wheelbase, but it is 2 inches shorter than the outgoing model (179.9 inches) and about an inch lower (65.4 inches). The 2013 Model is slightly wider, offering 72.6 inches of width versus the 2012 model's 71.5. The maximum passenger capacity drops from seven to five via the elimination of the third row.

Conclusion

Since it was launched 18 years ago, Toyota has sold more than 4.5 million RAV4's in 150 countries.

While the 2013 Toyota RAV4 faces more competition than ever in the market, we'd say the new model’s redesign will give it a nice edge over competitors.  We expect the RAV4 to maintain its place as a leader in the market.

Like what you read? Follow us on Twitter at @jerrystoyota and @jerrysitsaboutu for blog updates

For more information on Chevy products including pictures, videos, car battles and specials like our Facebook at http://facebook.com/jerrystoyota.