Toyota is finally making some moves regarding the next-gen RAV4. The SUV has been around since 2012, so it desperately needs some serious changes. Yes, the carmaker added a few fresh details in 2015, but that’s not enough anymore. No, the high-riding vehicle needs to be totally redesigned in order to keep its sale numbers as high as they were in the last several years. The Japanese car manufacturer is likely working on the all-new model right now. A prototype of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 has been spotted in Southern California just a few hours ago (at least the latest reports claim that). Though, the carmaker needs months to put all pieces together, so don’t expect the crossover before the end of this year, or even in early 2019.
Judging by the spy shots, the crossover is going to look very rugged and fairly odd. The camouflage is still very heavy, so it’s hard to figure out what’s really happening don’t here. However, we are pretty sure that Toyota is building the FT-AC concept-based crossover. More precisely, the testing vehicle is featuring a large grille and a pair of aggressive headlights, which are pushed back to the very ends and very high compared to the fenders. The fenders, by the way, appear to be more prominent than before, while the front bumper seems to provide enough air intake. In contrast to the current model which appears relatively smooth, the new-gen RAV4 will look pretty boxy. That’s thanks to the pretty flat rooflines, which the prototype definitely has. Altogether, the 2019 model will look rugged as we said before, which is odd because the majority of manufacturers are trying to build as sleek crossovers as it’s possible. Still, Toyota would not be Toyota if they don’t know how to attract the buyers, so we are pretty sure that they know what are they doing and building.
As for the non-cosmetic details, as far as we know, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 will ride on the TGNA platform. The architecture proved to be amazing already, as it underpins a majority of Toyota’s new model. The Camry, C-HR, and Prius are already using the TGNA, but the list will definitely grow in the future. It’s pretty hard to guess which engine options are going to have the future crossover. Though, it’s likely that the hybrid remains among them. Moreover, the SUV will keep or improve its already efficient Atkinson-cycle engines, so the biggest changes could be related to more sophistical handling and driving. More precisely, the carmaker will probably add a totally new and advanced all-wheel drive.
Spy Shots: Next-Gen Toyota RAV4
Stay tuned for updates.
