New Toyota RAV4 GR Sport boasts up to 304hp
The RAV4 desperately needed a revving up a bit - Gazoo Racing has duly supplied the tinsel
When revealing the latest version of the RAV4 in Tokyo, Toyota lent into its status as one of the industry’s original compact crossovers hard: “It was quirky. It was a bit of fun,” reckoned head of design, Simon Humphries, describing the concept reveal in 1989. “No one at the time would have thought that it was about to change the automotive world. But that's exactly what this little monocoque SUV did.” It didn’t really, of course - it was the trickle-down desirability of enormous luxury SUVs that eventually spiked an abiding interest in something smaller and more affordable - yet unquestionably it was a significant car for its maker: Toyota has reportedly sold 15 million RAV4 units in 30 years.
So it grasped the concept of ‘everyday adventure’ well enough. But it also failed to understand the full scale of the opportunity, and entirely missed the boat when it came to building go-faster versions of its new creation. This restricted the RAV4 to a turgid progression from hairdressers’ car to school-run special over five generations, while European OEMs romped ahead with rebranded, profit-making derivatives. Now, finally, off the back of enormous strides taken by Gazoo Racing elsewhere in the mainstream, Toyota appears to have learned its lesson - behold the all-new RAV4 GR Sport.
Now, the word ‘Sport’ there should alert you to the fact that this isn’t a pureblood GR variant in the mould of the Yaris or Corolla, and that’s likely by dint of the model’s status as a plug-in hybrid (exclusively so in the UK). But thanks to the presence of a new 22.7kWh battery and more powerful motor, in all-wheel-drive format the RAV4 is said to provide a total output of 304hp and be capable of 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds - plenty quick enough to qualify it as a fast family crossover (though admittedly we don’t know much more about the precise details of the powertrain other than it can drive for up 62 miles on electric power alone).
If that thought doesn’t have you rushing to trade in your VW Tiguan R, then perhaps its ‘motorsport-inspired character’ will. Mr Humphries reckons the GR Sport has been extensively re-engineered during 70,000 hours of development. The flagship is 20mm wider than standard and features improved rear bracing for better rigidity, alongside a chassis that has earned uprated dampers and retuned springs. You get lighter 20-inch wheels too, and a GR-specific grille design. Inside, there are sports seats and plenty of badges to remind you that your RAV4 is part of the Gazoo Racing club. Quite how much entry will cost you in the UK isn’t yet clear, though if the sixth generation drums up anything like the response to the first, Toyota will be tickled pink.
Dashboards may not be the prettiest or the nicest materials, but they're extremely easy to operate. Has separate climate controls (Not sure if this RAV4 does?). Don't cut corners on the chassis of their cars, put multi link suspension on all their decent models (looking at you, Volkswagen). CVT gearbox is great, doesn't flare up the revs like the old ones used to and needs zero servicing. The speed sign recognition stays off when you switch it off. The base models have tons of equipment.
Tried a mk8 golf before I got my Corolla, difference between the two was so vast in terms of driving quality, refinement and general ergonomics it wasn't even funny.
Especially from Toyota, who are the masters of self charging hybrids. I’m increasingly impressed by my girlfriend’s Corolla hybrid, which, despite being a 2.0 petrol with nearly 200hp, never seems to drop below 55mpg. We’ve seen as high as 76mpg on a cross city journey. It’s genuinely nice to drive too, very ‘wafty’.
Please PH, see someone about your weird fetish for GTI versions of family SUVs.
Another quick and great handling coupe/hatch/saloon disappears off a manufacturer's books; not to worry there'll be another 'sporty' crossover along in a minute.
Nice car, very solid. Pretty nippy in a straight line to 50 mph but absolutely terrible around the corners.
Not a sporty PH car - and not sure on the GR badging, but copying everyone else in that regard - but it should sell well. The current gen is one of the best selling cars worldwide for good reason.
6 out of the top 10 worlds best selling cars are basically crossovers that are this sort of size.
62 miles of electric range for day to day cheap motoring but no range anxiety when you want to go further.
Nice car, very solid. Pretty nippy in a straight line to 50 mph but absolutely terrible around the corners.
I agree with your assessment of the existing car - genuinely fast, comfortable, roomy, built properly, does all the day to day stuff as a decent EV and then does a genuine 50+ mpg for low cost trips away from home.
Best all rounder we've had - it's even pretty good off road for what it is. Will be staying away from the GR when the time eventually comes though, the discreet styling, tall profile tyres and lack of sportiness are all major plus points in my mind.
62 miles of electric range for day to day cheap motoring but no range anxiety when you want to go further.
Especially from Toyota, who are the masters of self charging hybrids. I’m increasingly impressed by my girlfriend’s Corolla hybrid, which, despite being a 2.0 petrol with nearly 200hp, never seems to drop below 55mpg. We’ve seen as high as 76mpg on a cross city journey. It’s genuinely nice to drive too, very ‘wafty’.
Driven without any specific economy focus.
Dashboards may not be the prettiest or the nicest materials, but they're extremely easy to operate. Has separate climate controls (Not sure if this RAV4 does?). Don't cut corners on the chassis of their cars, put multi link suspension on all their decent models (looking at you, Volkswagen). CVT gearbox is great, doesn't flare up the revs like the old ones used to and needs zero servicing. The speed sign recognition stays off when you switch it off. The base models have tons of equipment.
Tried a mk8 golf before I got my Corolla, difference between the two was so vast in terms of driving quality, refinement and general ergonomics it wasn't even funny.
The thought of a Rav with plugin that could bump those numbers up even more is really appealing.
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