Toyota bravely entered the compact SUV market with the RAV4 and has never looked back. The model quickly became a leading segment competitor, fighting rivals such as Mazda, Ford, and Volkswagen for supremacy.
The RAV4 is a unique offering from the Japanese brand, designed for the ultra-modern urban dweller who wants the reliability Toyota is famous for.
The Toyota RAV4 quickly became one of the best-selling compact SUVs on the South African market, with NAAMSA vehicle sales reports indicating that customers love it. Let's see what makes the Toyota RAV4 so unique.
Unveiled to the world in 1994 and officially launched in 1996, the Toyota RAV4 offered drivers SUV capabilities, such as off-roading and added cargo room, along with the advantages of a compact vehicle like efficiency and manoeuvrability.
The first generation RAV4 was a small, bubble-shaped vehicle with high ground clearance and straightforward features including radio and power steering. Considered basic by modern standards, the classic Toyota RAV4 was ahead of its time, with an all-electric version introduced in 2002.
The second generation RAV4 was released in 2000 and featured a redesigned exterior and an updated interior. A sharper, more focused frontal design showcased the trend Toyota was following at the time.
The third generation, launched in 2005, might only seem like a facelifted model of the second generation, but it featured a more modern design, an upgraded engine, and added safety features in line with modern standards.
The fourth generation RAV4 of 2012 set the trend for the sharp, edgy design we know today and led to the fifth generation launched in 2019.
Toyota states the latest 2019 RAV4 is their best compact SUV model yet, with a bolder, more streamlined design, added engine power, and increased off-road capabilities. The Toyota RAV4 seems at home anywhere it goes, whether in the countryside or inner city.
Design cues were clearly shared with Lexus, a brand owned by Toyota. The exterior design features new LED headlights with daytime running lights, a sharp-edged front bumper with colour-coded details, and a raised stance. Its interior offers a modern and spacious cabin with a central media system. Interior lighting and optional colour trimmings accentuate the premium look and feel of the RAV4.
Comforts include the touchscreen multimedia system, push start, voice command for basic functions such as calling and audio, reverse camera, and even a modern wireless cell phone charger. Other features include lane keeping assist, pre-crash system, and park distance control.
The base RAV4 2.0 GX 2WD is available with a 2 L petrol engine pushing out 127 kW and 203 Nm of torque while producing 155 g/km of CO 2. The claimed combined fuel cycle of the RAV4 is 6.8 L/100 km.
Please note: Certain specifications discussed above are only available in the RAV4 2.5 VX AT AWD model.
Toyota assembles its vehicles in South Africa, which ensures a large supply of Toyota parts are available to dealerships and customers. Toyota South Africa also has an extensive dealership and service centre network, with over 200 dealers located across the country. All of this means Toyota customers often get a positive evaluation on car insurance quotes for Toyota RAV4 models.
Toyota South Africa offers Toyota FutureDrive, a financial solution offering lower instalments, a shorter finance period, and flexible car finance costs. The entry-level Toyota RAV4 retails from R416,400.
The Toyota RAV4 service plan is valid for six-years/90,000 km and includes a standard with a three-year/100,000 km warranty, with service intervals every 12 months/15,000 km. To find out more about the warranty specifications for your specific Toyota RAV4, you can contact your local Toyota dealership or visit the Toyota South Africa website.
Toyota South Africa offers customers the opportunity to get a MyToyota insurance policy which provides cover for theft and hijacking, accidental damage, third-party liability, and hail damage. It also ensures that repairs are done at Toyota accredited service centres.
While this does provide a comprehensive car insurance cover option, it's always a good idea to compare car insurance quotes to be certain you're getting the best deal on car cover for your Toyota RAV4.
Ctrack, a leading car tracking and recovery service, listed Toyota among the high-theft risk auto brands in South Africa in their latest vehicle theft report. This will likely be factored into any car insurance quote and could count negatively towards your monthly car insurance premium.
Looking to insure your Toyota RAV4 with affordable car insurance? Use the hippo.co.za car insurance comparison tool and compare quotes from car insurance companies across the country in just a few minutes.
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publishing this article. The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.
