2013 Toyota RAV4 Expert Review
Reviewed by Staff Writer
The Toyota RAV4 gets completely redesigned for the 2013 model year. Gone is the slab-sided styling and tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and in its place sits a sleek new design that brings the RAV4's styling in line with new Toyotas like the Avalon and Corolla. The new RAV4 has one engine and one electric motor option. Most RAV4s are powered by Toyota's 2.5-liter I-4 that can also be found under the hood of the Camry and Corolla. In the RAV4 the four-banger makes 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, and is paired with a six-speed automatic. The RAV4 is available in front- and all-wheel drive. The RAV4 is EPA rated at 24/31 mpg city/highway for front-wheel drive versions, and 22/29 mpg for all-wheel drive versions.
The optional motor belongs to the RAV4 EV , which doesn't benefit from the new sheet metal of the gas-powered version. The front-wheel-drive-only RAV4 EV is powered by a detuned version of the Tesla Model S' AC electric motor married to a one-speed automatic. The motor is rated at 154 hp and 218 lb-ft of torque and has a 76 mpg-e combined rating. Range is 92 miles.
In our recent compact crossover Big Test , the new RAV4 placed third out of four contenders, beating the Ford Escape, but falling short of the Subaru Forester and the first-place Mazda CX-5. We dinged the RAV4 for its rough and choppy ride and clunky infotainment system, but we did appreciate its nice steering feel and high real-world fuel economy. Ultimately we said of the RAV4, "A safe bet is not an exciting one, and others outperform this perennial top-seller."
For 2013 Toyota completely redesigned the RAV4 . Its exterior is all-new, and its also got a brand new cabin, with features like navigation, a blind spot monitoring system, and a Rear Cross Traffic Alert system that will help prevent a RAV4 driver from backing into something. The RAV4 loses its optional V-6 this year, and its base 2.5-liter I-4 basically carries over to the new model unchanged -- though it does lose the four-speed slushbox for a smoother, six-speed auto.s
New for 2013
The RAV4 gets all-new interior and exterior design for 2013. It gets a more upscale interior, with premium features like French stitching, soft touch materials, and an 11-speaker sound system.
Key Competitors
- Ford Escape
- Honda CR-V
- Jeep Cherokee
- Mazda CX-5
- Subaru Forester
Sum Up
Quick, three-row CR-V alternative.
