The all-new 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV made its world debut at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. Toyota's fourth-generation RAV4, the world's original crossover sport utility vehicle, arrives early next year. With a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, new six-speed transmission, two-row seating for five, and a host of available in-cabin technologies, RAV4 offers a nuanced balance of performance and all-around capability, including class-leading cargo capacity, striking design, class-leading eight standard airbags, and a compelling array of standard features.

For 2013, RAV4 will provide a number of powertrain technologies that help deliver an engaging driving experience. It will feature Toyota's 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which will produce 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 233 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm.

Replacing the previous four-speed automatic will be a six-speed transmission with
Sequential Shift. First and second gear ratios will be optimized for around-town performance.
To keep engine revs lower at highway speeds and enhance fuel mileage, fifth and sixth gears
will be overdrives.

The new RAV4 will provide its active owners a more dynamic drive, with new technologies like a Sport Mode, enhancements in suspension performance, and optimized electric power steering. The spring rates have been enhanced, and the shock absorbers have been optimally tuned to help the vehicles handling characteristics.



RAV4 has a MacPherson strut front suspension, double-wishbone rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. The choice of wheels range from 17 to 18 inches.

In both front- and all-wheel drive RAV4's, driver-selectable Sport Mode sharpens transmission shift timing and action, and throttle response. Calibration of the Electric Power Steering assist is also modified in Sport Mode, providing a firmer feel and sharper response to input. When down shifting the RAV4 six-speed automatic transmission in "S" Mode, engine revs rise with a clearly audible "blip," adding to the driving experience.

A Toyota first, 2013 RAV4's with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) will have Dynamic Torque Control, a system that automatically shifts from front-wheel drive (FWD) to AWD when accelerating or when sensors detect wheel slippage.

Dynamic Torque Control has three different drive modes: Auto, Lock and Sport. In Auto Mode, RAV4 delivers power primarily to the front wheels under most driving conditions, switching automatically to AWD only when needed. By only engaging the rear axle and delivering power to the rear wheels when needed, Auto Mode helps enhance fuel efficiency and reduce drivetrain wear.

In Lock Mode at lower speeds, RAV4 essentially has a full-time AWD system with power delivered to all four wheels. At speeds below approximately 25 mph in Lock Mode, up to 50 percent of engine power is sent to the rear wheels, enhancing traction and helping RAV4 "dig" through sandy or muddy conditions. Lock Mode reverts to Auto Mode when vehicle speed passes approximately 40 km/h.

As on the front-drive RAV4's, Sport Mode sharpens shift timing, throttle response, and steering response. In RAV4 with AWD, Sport Mode has additional benefits. It can provide smooth and nearly instantaneous torque transfers between the front and rear wheels to help enhance cornering performance. Under certain conditions, Sport Mode can automatically deliver up to 50 percent of engine power to the rear wheels.

In Sport Mode, the AWD system also can apportion power based on input from the steering angle and yaw rate sensors of the Vehicle Stability Control system. When turning into and through a corner, power is sent to the rear wheels to maximize traction available at each of the four corners of the vehicle. Under braking in a straight line in Sport Mode, power delivery to the rear wheels can be momentarily suspended to best leverage the benefits of ABS and VSC.



The new RAV4's design achieves strong proportions while conveying the agile and fun character. Sophisticated and dynamic, the exterior features a progressive silhouette, with a sleek-sloping roofline and an aggressive character line. The new RAV4's interior has a premium, sophisticated look with soft-touch accents and driver-centric controls.

RAV4 pursues the design goals defined by Toyota President Akio Toyoda, with aggressively sculpted front and rear fenders and boldly proportioned taillights that define RAV4's athletic presence.

In a significant break with its heritage, RAV4 will switch from its side-hinged rear door to a convenient roof-hinged liftgate with a space-saver spare tire will be stored under the cargo floor. Standard on the Limited grade will be a one-touch power rear liftgate with driver selectable memory height settings.

As on other recently introduced Toyotas, RAV4 engineers paid special attention to aerodynamics, the most obvious detail being small vortex generators molded into the taillight cases and near the base of the A-pillars. Less obvious are the aerodynamic undertrays beneath the passenger cabin that help smooth and control airflow.

The new RAV4's dash panel is driver-centric and asymmetrical, with primary and secondary controls all within easy reach. On the passenger side, the sculpted dash panel creates a sense of airy spaciousness.

RAV4's dash panel and gauges all feature Clear Blue illumination, which provides crisp visibility in most ambient light conditions, and a unified, coherent appearance at night. RAV4 will come standard with a manual tilt/telescope steering column. All RAV4 steering wheels will have controls for audio, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio, and the Multi-Information Display (MID).



All RAV4's will have driver and front passenger seats with high seatbacks and a slim back, enhancing rear-passenger knee room.

All RAV4's will feature 60/40 split/fold second-row seats that recline several degrees to
enhance passenger comfort.

In contrast to 2013 RAV4's compact exterior dimensions, the cargo area is deeper, larger and easier to access than in the previous generation, with just over 1,087 liters of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. With rear seats folded, RAV4 class-leading maximum cargo capacity of 2,078 liters.

Privacy glass, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), cruise control, power side mirrors, power door locks and power windows are standard on all RAV4s. Other models feature dualzone automatic climate control, integrated fog lights, power moonroof with sliding sunshade, and heated outside mirror with turn signal indicators.

Standard on all RAV4 models is a Display Audio with a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. Significant for this market, RAV4's Display Audio includes a standard backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity. When shifted into reverse, the audio display will show the image of what the backup camera captures. The image will include an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking space and approximate distance to obstacles. Higher grade models will feature a JBL Premium Audio system with 576 watts of power and 11 speakers.

Some grades will offer an available Blind Spot Monitor system (BSM) that operates when RAV4 is traveling at approximately 40 km/h or above. It can be turned off with a dashboard switch. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver with a blinking light indicator in the side mirrors. If the turn signal is on when there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the driver's intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will warn the driver with a solid light.

The available Blind Spot Monitor incorporates Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which uses the Blind Spot Monitor radar sensors at the lower rear bodywork of the vehicle. The RCTA works at speeds between 0 and 25 km/h and activates when the vehicle is in Reverse. When backing up, the RCTA senses vehicles approaching from either direction and provides an audible warning combined with a flashing indicator in the appropriate outside mirror.

All 2013 RAV4s will have a class-leading eight standard airbags. Like every Toyota, RAV4 will feature the Star Safety System, which includes Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, an Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology.