Design and Specifications Toyota RAV4 2013

Design Toyota RAV4 2013

The fourth-gen Toyota RAV4 is nearly identical in size to its immediate predecessor, so the major changes pertain to its general layout and driveline configurations.

The burly 3.5-liter V-6 engine is history; it arrived with the third generation and was instrumental in the Toyota RAV4 winning two of our comparison tests (once in 2008 and again in 2010). A port-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder now is the sole power source, aided by a new six-speed automatic transmission. (Last year the base four-cylinder was paired with a four-speed automatic. A RAV4 so configured finished fourth in a six-crossover comparo last fall.) Regrettably, no stick-shift option has been offered since the 2005 model year.

The previous three-row seating option is gone, a move that benefits front legroom and cargo room. But the most significant configuration upheaval is relocating the spare from the rear door to a well under the cargo compartment floor, a move long overdue.

The silly right-hinged access portal becomes a safer, handier, more conventional top-hinged hatch. Also, a slight shuffle of trim levels replaces the outgoing base, Sport, and Limited hierarchy with LE, XLE, and Limited nameplates.

With the rear seat folded, the RAV4 will carry a 43x74-inch panel of building material laid flat (increased from last year’s 41x64-inch limit dimen

sion). By leaving the hatch ajar and loading panels at an angle, it’s now possible to tote full 4x8-foot sheets, a task less feasible in the gen-three RAV4 with its swing-out cargo door.

Engine Toyota RAV4 2013

Another worthy improvement is a small amount of space for hiding valuables adjacent to the high-pressure spare under the cargo hold’s floor panel. Interior release levers fold the roomy back seat in 60-40 increments to provide a nearly flat load space when passengers aren’t the priority. When they do outrank freight, rear occupants will appreciate the adjustable backrest.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection

Displacement: 152 cu in, 2494 cc

Power: 176 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque: 172 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 104.7 in

Length: 179.9 in

Width: 72.6 in Height: 67.1 in

Curb weight: 3573 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 8.2 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 25.3 sec

Zero to 110 mph: 34.6 sec

Street start, 5–60 mph: 8.5 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.7 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 16.5 sec @ 85 mph

Top speed (redline limited): 123 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 168 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.78 g