This Angular Lifestyle Machine Is The New Toyota Rav4

Toyota continues to de-bland its line-up, revealing a dramatically-styled Rav4 for the New York Auto Show ahead of a 2019 debut
This Angular Lifestyle Machine Is The New Toyota Rav4

What the hell is going on at Toyota right now? Only a few years ago, the GT86 was the only ray of hope in a dreary line-up of cars like the Auris and Avensis, but the Japanese company seems determined to kick boring to the kerb in a rather daring shake-up.

We have current and incoming performance cars like the Yaris GRMN and GR Supra, boldly-styled cars for normals like the C—HR and the new Auris, and now there’s this: the new Rav4.

This Angular Lifestyle Machine Is The New Toyota Rav4

Granted, a Rav4 isn’t exactly prime CT fodder, but we were taken aback by its angular, almost utilitarian aesthetic. It’s a vastly different approach to the anonymous model it replaces, which I genuinely had to Google just to remind myself how it looks.

The new version looks a lot bigger and more imposing than the current model, but in reality it’s only slightly larger, growing 10mm in width, with the wheelbase extended by 30mm. The overhangs are shorter, too.

This Angular Lifestyle Machine Is The New Toyota Rav4

There’ll be a 2.0-litre petrol engine available, plus a 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain. The 2.0-litre has a conventional mechanical all-wheel drive system that’s able to decouple the rear axle (when fitted with an automatic transmission), while the hybrid version powers the rear wheels using an electric motor. There won’t be a diesel option, owing to Toyota’s decision to phase out oil burners in its range.

We don’t have any stats for the engines, and there’s a general lack of technical detail from Toyota at this stage - probably because the car won’t go on sale until early 2019. It’s on display at the New York Auto Show from today.

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Comments

Wheel Nuts

So many lines. I’m not sure where to look. I can’t keep my eyes still!

03/28/2018 - 10:26 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

looks like a lexus to me O.o

03/28/2018 - 10:26 |
0 | 0
Vincent Lin

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Or a Mitsubishi

03/28/2018 - 10:37 |
2 | 0
DL🏁

Let me guess - it’s all ruined by a CVT

03/28/2018 - 10:27 |
6 | 0

? Is it a meme or a joke i don’t get or you genuinly would gake it on b road to practice heel toe?

03/28/2018 - 11:38 |
3 | 0

It’s an 8 speed auto, and a pretty good one.

03/28/2018 - 13:43 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I see no difference .

03/28/2018 - 10:28 |
64 | 4
The Stig's Macedonian cousin

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

03/28/2018 - 11:09 |
37 | 2
Jakob

It looks better than the old one, but that’s hardly a feat.

03/28/2018 - 10:41 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

The rear end looks like a nissan rogue
and the front end of a Mitsubishi.

03/28/2018 - 11:02 |
1 | 0
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

From the rear it looks pretty good. The front can’t say the same though

03/28/2018 - 11:15 |
0 | 0
James Marshall

I actually do quite like the angular shape, but it suffers from a common problem I see in modern Crossovers; it’s overstyled, with too many unnecessary lines and creases. It clutters up what’s otherwise quite a striking design.

03/28/2018 - 11:24 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I like it and i’m the only one lol.

03/28/2018 - 11:26 |
1 | 0
5:19.55

The japanese Kodiaq

03/28/2018 - 11:38 |
0 | 0