2018 Toyota RAV4 Review

Detailed Review

Toyota introduced the RAV4 in 1994—the first model, the XA10 was manufactured from 1994 to 2000. The second generation known as the XA20, was manufactured between 2000 and 2005, and the third version known as the XA30 was manufactured between 2005 and 2012. The fourth generation known as the XA40, was manufactured from 2012 to 2018, and the fifth model known as the XA50, has been in production since 2018.
The unibody of the fifth-generation RAV4 is more rigid than the previous generations. The model features a multi-link rear suspension, which is said to deliver more optimal handling damping, less interior cabin noise, and improved ride comfort. A newly developed four-wheel drive system has been introduced in this generation which independently distributes torque to the left and right rear wheels according to the drive terrain one is in.
For hybrid models, the all-wheel drive model utilized the (AWD) system. When compared to the previous generation’s AWD system, the new technology improves overall torque to the electronically driven rear wheels by 30%.

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 comes with an option of 2 engines which include;
Petrol
1. 2.0 L M20A-FKS
2. 2.5 L A25A-FKS
The engines are linked to direct shift- CVT and electric continuously variable transmission. Click here to purchase a copy of the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Buyer’s Guide. 

2018 Toyota RAV4 Grades

1.  Toyota RAV4 LE – This is the base package that comes with 17-inch steel rims, steering audio controls, rear parking sensors, cruise control, projector headlights, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity, roof rails, and cargo net.
2.  Toyota RAV4 XLE – This adds 17-inch alloy rims, fog lights, heated mirrors, a sunroof, a height-adjustable power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more aggressively bolstered front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
3.  Toyota RAV4 Limited – This is a luxury grade that adds 18-inch wheels and exterior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, the Toyota Safety Sense package, adaptive cruise control, a 7-inch higher-resolution touchscreen, a navigation system, and smartphone app integration.
4. Toyota RAV4 SE- This trim adds 8-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, keyless ignition, and entry; heated front seats; an eight-way power driver seat, driver memory settings; synthetic leather upholstery, and steering wheel paddle shifters, a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert.
5. Toyota RAV4 Platinum- This trim comes standard with soft seats, paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, push-button start, LED headlamps and tail lamps, a hands-free power-operated liftgate, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic.
6. Toyota RAV4 Adventure- includes 18-inch black alloy wheels, a slightly higher suspension (6.5 inches of ground clearance versus 6.1 inches), fender flares, all-weather floor mats, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a 120-volt household-style outlet in the cargo area. The Adventure only receives the Cold Weather package, which includes heated front seats, a motorized driver seat, and a heated steering wheel.

Interior
Legroom & Space
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is a two-row, five-seat SUV. The front seat has plenty of headroom and legroom, while the second row has the same qualities, making it more comfortable for adult or taller passengers, especially during long drives.

Cabin Storage
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 features a glove box, two cupholders, two bottle storage, and a center console with a shallow and deep compartment in the first row. The second row offers two cup holders on the armrest and pocket storage.

Boot Space
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 offers 38.4 cubic feet of boot space when the second-row seats are folded down. With them folded, the boot space is 73.4 cubic feet, which is sufficient for a family with a lot of stuff.

Exterior

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has a beautiful exterior design. Its sleek headlights and LED daytime running lights make the front-end of this vehicle to be more stunning as the Toyota insignia aids in asserting its presence. Air vents featured on the lower fascia help in cooling the engine. The side profile features body-colored door handles as roof rails lend this car an aggressive look. The rear encompasses tail lights and turn signals as well as a roof spoiler.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Safety Features
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 features 8 airbags including a driver knee airbag and side-impact bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), enhanced vehicle stability control (VSC), brake assist, and traction control.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Consumption
2018 Toyota RAV4 2.0 L petrol engine consumption- 14.2km/l on average
2018 Toyota RAV4 2.5 L petrol engine consumption- 13.6km/l on average

2018 Toyota RAV4 Acceleration
2018 Toyota RAV4 2.0 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-00km/h in 12.2 secs
2018 Toyota RAV4 2.5 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-00km/h in 11.3secs

2018 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 liters

Ground Clearance
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has a ground clearance of 6.3 inches.

Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 10,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.
Major Service: At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts Availability
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Spare Parts are easily available in Kenya, especially service and suspension parts. It’s a mixed bag for body parts as some such as headlamps can be hard to find. The price for service and suspension parts is affordable. Body parts can get expensive depending on the part and their availability.

Stability & Handling
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has improved visibility around the A-pillar. The manufacturer’s moved the side mirrors lower on the doors. This SUV also introduced a newly developed four-wheel drive system (Dynamic Torque Vectoring) which independently distributes torque to the left and rear wheels according to drive conditions hence making it a go-to vehicle for many users.
Because of its low ground clearance, the 2018 RAV4 does not handle off-road terrain as effectively as its competitors.  The SUV also boasts an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which is designed to avoid skidding, which occurs when the wheels lock up when braking hard.

Reliability
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 offers an excellent ride, comfort, and advanced technology, attributes that make it one of the most sold cars not forgetting its affordability aspect. Toyota brand is well known for its durability and versatility aspects, characteristics that the 2018 RAV4 also shares
However, some users have noted significant changes in its exterior look which may not be appealing to some people. Additionally, some users expected the SUV to have heated seats and its ground clearance to be raised to cruise the off-road terrain without fear of crashing the lower parts of the vehicle.

Click here to purchase a copy of the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Buyer’s Guide. 

Resale Value: Good

Toyota RAV4 Competitors: Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, VW Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Nissan X-trail.

What we like about the 2018 Toyota RAV4
Plenty of cargo space
Affordable to maintain

What we don’t
The Interior has a utilitarian look and feel.

Conclusion
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has minimal mechanical issues and low maintenance cost thus making it an authentic and dependable crossover SUV. This vehicle is not ideal for off-road drives but it is very economical, especially for users who love long-distance driving. Individuals on a limited budget may not be in a position to buy the RAV due to the expensive purchase price. Click here to download the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Owner’s Manual.