Facelifted Toyota RAV4 arrives

TOYOTA'S refreshed small SUV contender has landed on Australian soil with a new look, extra comfort and safety equipment options and a small pricing shuffle, kicking off from $27,990 before on-road costs for the base manual two-wheel drive GX.

That price represents a $500 increase over the previous base version, which is common to all two-wheel-drive petrol variants fitted with a manual gearbox, but the Japanese car-maker says all versions are more desirable with the new styling and a more comfortable ride.

As before, the range is split into eight offerings starting with the most affordable 2WD GX and $31,990 GXL, which are available with a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed continuously variable transmission, which adds $2000.

Four-wheel drive petrol RAV4s get a larger 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine over the 2.0-litre base variant and are only available with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, starting with the $32,990 GX, a mid-range $36,990 GXL and top-spec Cruiser for $44,990. Pricing for the all-paw petrols is unchanged.

A 2.2-litre diesel tops off the RAV4 range with a GX and GXL priced from $35,990 and $39,990 respectively, or $2000 more when fitted with the six-speed automatic. The range-topping diesel Cruiser is only available as an auto, priced from $49,490.

Those new prices have crept up by $2000 for the GX and GXL, while the Cruiser diesel now costs $1000 more than in the previous version.

A new particulate filter has cut diesel emissions and all three four-cylinder powerplants conform to Euro-5 standards.

The new RAV4 look consists of a redesigned front bumper, which adds 35mm to the overall RAV4 length and is complemented by LED projector headlights for both main and dipped beam.

Rear LED tail-lights freshen the other end of the RAV4, while new-look wheel arch mouldings and side sills complete the makeover for all variants. GXL versions also gain a sharkfin antenna and a new 18-inch alloy wheel set versus the 17-inch hoops fitted to the GX.

Inside, the updated RAV4 has a new matte black interior trim with contrasting silver, while the centre console can now accommodate handled cups and sunglasses, while rear passengers can charge 12-volt devices.

Ride comfort for all variants comes as a result of greater use of sound insulation, a more rigid rear body shell section and revised suspension dampener and spring rate for a more compliant but stable ride.

GXL and Cruiser variants have a new two-dial instrument cluster which gains a 4.2-inch colour screen for displaying vehicle information to the driver, the GXL has a self-dimming rearview mirror and Cruisers have more colour options for its part-leather interior, depending on the exterior colour.

A raft of extra safety equipment is also offered as standard for for the updated Cruiser and optionally for the automatic GXL. The technology pack costs $2500 and adds pre-collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert and front parking radar.

Other options include premium paint colours for $550 or a full-size spare wheel for GX variants costing $300. The 2016 RAV4 also has a choice of new colours including Hazel, Blue Gem and Deep Red, which replaces Wildfire.

2015 Toyota RAV4 pricing*

GX Petrol 2WD	$27,990
GX Petrol 2WD (a)	$29,990
GXL Petrol 2WD	$31,990
GXL Petrol 2WD (a)	$33,990
GX Petrol AWD (a)	$32,990
GX Diesel AWD	$35,990
GX Diesel AWD (a)	$37,990
GXL Petrol AWD (a)	$36,990
GXL Diesel AWD	$39,990
GXL Diesel AWD (a)	$41,990
Cruiser Petrol AWD (a)	$44,490
Cruiser Diesel AWD (a)	$49,490

*Excludes on-road costs