[On the Road] Electric for Commuting, GR Performance When Driving... Toyota 'All-New RAV4'

PHEV Offers 77km Range on Pure Electric Mode
Supports Fast Charging for Reduced Charging Stress
GR Trim Delivers Fun-to-Drive SUV Experience with Exclusive Tuning
Trim Prices Range from 49,270,000 to 61,800,000 Won

I had the opportunity to test drive the global best-selling sports utility vehicle (SUV), the All-New RAV4, which Toyota Korea ambitiously launched in the domestic market. Driving through the Incheon Yeongjongdo, Muuido, and Songdo areas, I was able to experience three different RAV4 models, in line with Toyota's multi-pathway strategy aimed at satisfying the diverse lifestyles of consumers.

Toyota All New RAV4 PHEV XSE. Toyota Korea

The first model I drove was the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) XSE. It is equipped with a 22.68kWh lithium-ion battery, which is 25% larger than the previous model, enabling 77km of electric driving on a single charge. During the city section of the test drive, I used the electric (EV) mode. Even without engaging the engine and relying solely on battery output, I never felt a lack of power. When the engine’s 189 horsepower (PS) combines with the battery, the total output reaches 329 horsepower (PS), delivering even more powerful performance.

Additionally, the PHEV model supports the 50kW CCS1 fast charging standard, allowing the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes. This provides a high level of convenience not only in daily life but also for long-distance travel. For those with a round-trip commute of less than 70km, daily driving can be done entirely using electric charging, without worrying about fuel costs.

Toyota All New RAV4 PHEV GR SPORT. Toyota Korea

The second vehicle I tried was the GR SPORT trim. Toyota Korea added the GR SPORT trim to the new RAV4 to demonstrate that SUVs can also be fun to drive. The interior features exclusive GR seats, a steering wheel, and aluminum pedals to highlight its uniqueness. The exterior is also distinctive. The front lip spoiler at the bottom of the front bumper and the wing-type rear spoiler are not just design elements—they were meticulously engineered through strict wind tunnel tests to calculate aerodynamic balance for both the front and rear. This generates downforce during driving, further enhancing handling stability.

The GR SPORT trim also features exclusive tuning parts, significantly improving body rigidity and handling performance. In practice, the ride felt firmer than the PHEV XSE, and the car felt more stable when cornering. An additional front performance damper is installed at the lower front of the body, effectively suppressing subtle vibrations and twisting while driving. Reinforcement parts are added to the rear suspension as well, boosting rigidity and handling stability during high-speed cornering. However, compared to the PHEV XSE trim, it is disappointing that some convenience features, such as ventilated front seats and a head-up display, are missing.

The final vehicle was the Hybrid (HEV) LIMITED. The HEV LIMITED trim boasts a total system output of 239 horsepower (PS) and a combined fuel efficiency of 15.6km/l, marking improved performance over the previous generation. After driving the PHEV and then switching to the HEV, the engine noise was noticeably louder while driving. This is because the PHEV features additional soundproofing, including double-laminated glass for the front seats, compared to the HEV. Also, since the battery plays a larger role during driving in the PHEV, it is relatively quieter. The development team explained that the PHEV adopts a more advanced 6th-generation hybrid system than the HEV, contributing to the difference.

Toyota All New RAV4 HEV LIMITED. Toyota Korea

However, this does not mean that the HEV LIMITED trim is inferior to the PHEV model in every aspect. It not only offers better fuel efficiency, but also supports wireless charging for two smartphones simultaneously, and includes various convenience features such as heated rear seats and a memory seat for the driver.

The All-New RAV4 introduces the next-generation connected service, 'Toyota Connect.' Toyota Connect is a service that links vehicles and customers in real time to provide a safer and more convenient mobility experience, and it is implemented based on Toyota’s next-generation software development platform, 'Arene.' Now, Toyota customers can easily use key vehicle functions—such as remote engine start, climate control, vehicle status check, and parking location confirmation—through the smartphone application 'Toyota Remote.'

Additionally, an infotainment system optimized for domestic driving environments offers the Toyota TV and music curation service 'Essential,' and integrates AI voice recognition based on Naver CLOVA, making it more convenient to use various vehicle features, such as setting navigation destinations and controlling the climate system.

Toyota All New RAV4 PHEV GR Sport Interior. Toyota Korea

Toyota’s comprehensive preventive safety system, Toyota Safety Sense, has been newly enhanced with features such as: ▲ 'Driver Monitoring Camera (DMC),' which monitors the driver's gaze, face direction, and blinking to warn against inattentiveness or drowsiness; ▲ 'Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA),' which detects vehicles approaching from the front left or right when approaching intersections at low speed and provides visual and auditory warnings in case of collision risk. In fact, during the drive, a warning alert appeared even when I briefly glanced at the navigation screen. This clearly shows Toyota’s philosophy that safety is non-negotiable.

The recommended retail prices (including VAT and based on an individual consumption tax rate of 3.5%) for the All-New RAV4 are as follows: ▲ HEV XLE 49,270,000 won ▲ HEV LIMITED 57,460,000 won ▲ PHEV XSE 61,600,000 won ▲ PHEV GR SPORT 61,800,000 won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.