2014 Toyota RAV4

2014 Toyota RAV4

The 2014 Toyota RAV4 is sensible and spacious; but if driving fun is a priority, you can do better.

• Interior / Exterior »

The current generation of the RAV4, introduced last year, looks quite a bit different all around, but the differences are most pronounced around the back.

That’s where you might notice that the tailgate-mounted spare tire—a RAV4 staple in the past—is missing. It’s under the cargo floor in 2014 models, which to us completes the RAV4′s metamorphosis from activity vehicle to family workhorse. It’s far more of a tall hatchback than it used to be, with the profile and stance much more in line with the current norm for the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Mazda CX-5.

Around back—and all around, really—the set of cues that that the RAV4 inherits borrows ruthlessly from Toyota’s best-looking crossover, the Venza. The RAV4 has a real underbite in front, and the nose has the same sharp corners and taut fender lines. The shoulder lines look muscular, thanks to the expected upkick in the rear. Meanwhile, pointy taillamps sit high like the ones on a Scion xD. Altogether it adds up to a vehicle that communicates its mission but is by no means voluptuous.

If we had to nitpick, we’d focus in on the RAV4′s tailgate: the taillamps are pointy and shelf out, all in the name of meeting safety regulations. There’s some discord in the cockpit too–not in the clash of lines and surfaces, but in the plastics that form them. It’s rare we like cheaper plastic better, but too many kinds of trim turn us away from the Limited and its synthetic leather.
Elsewhere inside, it looks like Toyota looked for some inspiration from its 1980s products when laying out the current RAV4′s interior. Top models even sport two-tone, stitched and padded upholstery across the midline, in what looks like the most tasteful cabin in the segment in photos; unfortunately there’s a reality check involves, as up close these materials reveal themselves as painfully low-grade.

• Performance »

On one hand the 2014 Toyota RAV4 doesn’t offer the scorching V-6 of a couple years ago, and its straight-line bravado. On the other hand, it handles better than ever before, and it includes an all-wheel drive system that makes a play for those who don’t just need traction for winter snowstorms.

It’s definitely a case of give and take. The Ford Escape, Subaru Forester, and really most of the rest of the segment offer stronger acceleration. Yet the 176-horsepower four-cylinder is adequate, saved by a six-speed automatic with a sport-shift mode and a 0-60 mph time of less than nine seconds. The overall impression is that the powertrain is smooth but not particularly swift—and those who want a perky, responsive feel might want to consider one of those other models.

The RAV4 is quick from a standing start, but then it tends to flick quickly to third and fourth even in urban driving, dropping into a low-rpm lull just as soon as it can. It’s a little better in Sport mode, where the transmission smooths those quicker shifts by blipping the throttle.

The fundamentals of good, responsive handling are here, with a reasonably low ride height for a crossover, combined with electric power steering that has good weighting and centering feel. One of the key differences here is whether or not to spring for the $1,400 all-wheel-drive system, which is now more sophisticated, so that not only provides power to the rear wheels in foul weather but also delivers torque with finesse to the rear wheels when cornering hard.
While the 2014 Toyota RAV4 is perfectly at ease in most conditions with just front-wheel drive, the RAV4 now appeals to those who the optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system uses electronic control to send power rearward when slippage in front is detected, and offers a true 50/50 fixed power split at up to 25 mph in 4WD Lock mode. A new electromagnetic coupling that sends torque to the rear wheels when slip is detected; when you select Sport mode it sends 10-50 percent of torque to the rear wheels to help improve handling.
For foul weather, the Lock feature gives predictable levels of traction—enabling the RAV4 to power through snowy driveways or muddy trails.
And if you’d like the steering a little heavier, Sport mode delivers that as well. It adds more weight, with good on-center tracking and stability and less resistance to returning to center.
Overall, the RAV4′s front-strut and rear control-arm suspension doesn’t have as much travel as, say, the bigger Chevy Equinox or Hyundai Santa Fe, and it shows when the RAV4 goes for limited excursions on gravel roads, where uneven surfaces are the rule, not the exception. And ground clearance is just 6.3 inches—that’s a couple of inches less than you’d get in a Subaru Outback.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved over time. What started as a compact crossover SUV with commuters in mind has become one of the more popular family vehicles in the Toyota lineup. The current RAV4 has finally scrubbed away the final cues of its former SUV ambitions–a tailgate-mounted tire–but it’s also become a more limited offering, with only four-cylinder power and without a third-row seat.

Taken in perspective, the 2014 Toyota RAV4 leaves room for the larger Highlander, which had been squeezed upscale by the last RAV4, and it brings its bearings back firmly to the compact segment. But last year’s redesign did bring some important new changes, in the way of updated transmission, better safety features, and updated safety gear. As it stands, the RAV4 is the middle-ground pick for pragmatists: it has more room than the perky Ford Escape and road manners that are just a little more alert than those in the Honda CR-V.
Last year’s redesign purged one of the remaining vestiges of the RAV4′s history: the tailgate-mounted spare. This year it’s history, and the more hatchback-style flow and lower stance, pitch the RAV4 headlong into a lookalike bin filled with the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, even Mazda CX-5. Arguably, the RAV4 has a more carlike face than them all, but it doesn’t pull off such a clean design in back as the CX-5. The taillamps er XT. are pointy and shelf out, all in the name of meeting safety regulations. Inside, there’s some discord in the cockpit; this is a case in which the RAV4 limited and its many trims and surfaces leave us admiring the basic RAV4 LE’s simplicity.


Once upon a time—just a couple of model years ago—there were V-6 models of the RAV4 that were surprisingly quick; but the current RAV4 gives up those chances of a transcendent upgrade in favor of a better ride and more carlike handling. There’s only a 176-horsepower four-cylinder under the hood now, but the six-speed automatic with sport-shift mode saves it. Consider the 0-60 mph time of under nine seconds, and the RAV4 isn’t quick, but it’s quick enough for most family needs. The new RAV4 is responsive, although never sporty in the same way as a Ford Escape or Subaru Forester XT.
Yet at the same time, the RAV4 rides lower, with well-weighted electric power steering and a good sense of center. All-wheel drive is just a $1,400 upgrade, and we like how the system works not only for inclement weather conditions but also for on-the-road handling. There isn’t much of a range in the way the RAV4 rides and handles, but for a slightly better ride we’d stick with the 17-inch tires on LE and XLE versions.The RAV4 didn’t become significantly larger with last year’s redesign, but smarter packaging made it more passenger-friendly. Base versions come with a cheaper upholstery and seats that are less supportive, while XLE versions include more firmly bolstered seats and nicer fabrics that we wish were standard across the board. The synthetic leather upholstery in Limited models looks great from a few feet away, but up close it looks shiny and cheap. Seating space in the RAV4 is about on par with the CR-V—definitely more generous than the Escape. But there are some flaws: The back bench is less supportive than adults will expect, and its flip/fold mechanism is one step shy on slickness, although cargo space is excellent. Limited versions get a power tailgate.

Safety ratings are top-notch for the most part, but the RAV4 has one unforgivable blemish: a ‘Poor’ rating in the new IIHS small overlap frontal test. Otherwise, the RAV4 ups its safety ante with eight standard airbags, including knee airbags. Bluetooth is also standard across the board; a rearview camera is also included, while Limited models include blind-spot monitors with cross-traffic alerts.

LE, XLE, and Limited models of the 2014 Toyota RAV4 are offered. At the base level, the RAV4 LE comes with power locks, windows, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering; steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and an AM/FM/CD player controlled, through a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. We tend to think that the base RAV4 LE or mid-range XLE models are the best deal. The XLE adds dual-zone automatic climate control; a sunroof; and fog lights, to which the Limited adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Limited include a power driver seat and those 18-inch wheels.

Major options on the RAV4 include navigation on the XLE and Limited, with Entune app connectivity and satellite radio; and on the Limited, a JBL audio system with 576 watts of power and 11 speakers.
Audio systems are noteworthy in the RAV4. For 2014, there are four different levels of Entune touch-screen audio, with the top two levels incorporating the App Suite—Bing for search; iHeartRadio and Pandora for audio streaming; MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, and Yelp for going out; and real-time traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks.
Photo Gallery: Toyota USA

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