After all the teasers and leaks, here is the 2020 Toyota RAV4, officially launched by UMW Toyota Motor today.
For the longest time, Toyota was not represented in this sizeable and lucrative market that is the urban SUV. We have the Rush and the Fortuner – the former is a rebodied budget MPV and the Fortuner is a “Hilux SUV”. Nothing wrong with the rear-wheel-drive duo, but others offer more sophisticated options for a rather demanding Malaysian market.
Honda’s CR-V is a mainstay in the midsize SUV segment, more recently joined by the Mazda CX-5. The Nissan X-Trail had always been around, there’s Hyundai-Kia, and even Proton is in the game these days. Similarly, Honda leads the compact segment with the successful HR-V, and Mazda has the CX-3. All these SUVs are car-like and none sit on a ladder frame. Until the C-HR reached our shores in 2018, Toyota has been conspicuously absent.
Now, the Toyota RAV4 isn’t a new thing of course, having pioneered the lifestyle compact off-roader in the 90s (remember the first-generation two-door in blue with those side stickers?) and sold over 10 million units worldwide. It may be the best-selling SUV in the world, but recent generations never made it here, handing the initiative to rivals.
Better late than never they say, and here’s the fifth-generation RAV4, which first surfaced in March 2018 in the US. The 2019-2020 Japan Car of the Year sits on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which also underpins the Corolla, Camry and C-HR in Malaysia. It’s a much larger SUV than the swoopy C-HR – in fact, it appears bigger than the CR-V and CX-5 at a glance.
Looking at the dimensions confirms it somewhat, although the size advantage over the CR-V on paper is minimal. The XA50 RAV4 is 4,600 mm long, 1,855 mm wide and 1,685 mm tall, which is 16 mm longer and 6 mm taller than the Honda. Its 2,690 mm wheelbase is 30 mm longer than our familiar benchmark. The CX-5 has a smaller footprint than the CR-V.
Perhaps what makes it look large in the metal is the design. Toyota has gone for an overtly square cut look for the RAV4, which gives it a more macho outlook than the Honda and Mazda. The boxy style is perhaps best encapsulated by the wheel arches. There’s also quite a lot of surfacing on the sides of the car; the lines are clearly defined too, not like a huge soft dent. It’s uncommon these days, an SUV with a butch look – quite refreshing, don’t you think?
Under the hood, one gets to choose from two Dynamic Force engines that turn the front wheels (2WD). Both are naturally aspirated, D-4S direct injection DOHC units with VVT-iE on the intake side and VVT-i on the exhaust side. The base 2.0L motor has 173 PS and 207 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm, and the M20A-FKS is paired with a CVT.
There’s also a 2.5L option that gives you 207 PS and 243 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The A25A-FKS four-pot is mated to a Direct Shift eight-speed torque converter automatic, the same combo found in the current Lexus ES 250. Both the CVT and 8AT have manual mode with paddle shifters, and three selectable drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport.
It’s very rare to see this, but both the 2.0L and 2.5L that you see here have an identical set of equipment, other than what’s under the hood, of course. UMWT did not select a basic spec for the 2.0L to get a lower starting price for the range, so it really boils down to if you want/need the extra power and 8AT in exchange for a RM20k higher sticker price and costlier road tax.
The feature set is generous. On the outside you’ll find 18-inch five-spoke wheels (for once no dual-tone, comes with 225/60 Bridgestone Alenza SUV tyres), LED headlamps and daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, auto lights and wipers and a powered rear tailgate with hands-free (kick) operation.
Open the doors and you’ll find a very different feel from the CR-V. The centre console is high, the seats can go quite low, and there’s a recurring polygonal motif (I see snowflake) around the cabin, which shows extra thought. Most of the upper half panels are soft touch, including the rear door caps, and there’s the stitching effect on the dash and doors, in addition to scattered brown accents.
Smart entry and push start, Optitron meters (the central speedo/MID is a seven-inch digital panel, flanked by analogue gauges), dual-zone climate control with rear vents, ventilated front seats, combination leather seats, eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar and memory (manual for front passenger), electrochromic rear view mirror and electronic parking brake with brake hold are all standard.
The head unit is a DVD seven-inch touchscreen flanked by two rows of physical buttons and knobs, hooked up to six speakers. It’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay ready, and displays the 3D panoramic view monitor. The latter does a cool 360 sweep around the car to scan for objects at a press of a button, so you won’t be rolling over anything you shouldn’t. Also on are a Qi wireless charger and locally fitted digital video recorder (dashcam, front and rear).
There’s more. The RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Pre-collision System, Lane Departure Alert (with steering assist and Lane Tracing Assist), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Auto High Beam. TSS aside, there’s also the usual seven airbags (front, side, curtain, driver’s knee), VSC and blind spot monitor. Lastly, a tyre pressure warning system. UMWT also adds on its security and solar window film, and telematics system.
Six colours are available, and they are Red Mica, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Attitude Black, the Dark Blue Mica in the gallery below and White Pearl CS, which is an extra RM800. The factory warranty is a five-year unlimited mileage package.
No, we’re not ignoring the elephant in the room, but should jumbo even be there? The RAV4’s original price was quoted as RM203,880 for the 2.0L and RM223,880 for the 2.5L, on the road excluding insurance. With the partial 2020 sales tax exemption for CBU imported cars applied, the SUV will go for RM196,436 and RM215,664 respectively for the 2.0L and 2.5L. By the way, back in 2006-2008, the official CBU RAV4 sold by UMWT was priced at RM203,400, so it has never been “cheap”.
Yes, the RAV4 obviously costs more than the Honda CR-V – which tops out at RM168,465 for the 1.5 TC-P 2WD (RM175,900 before the sales tax exemption) – and the Mazda CX-5 2.5T AWD High at RM174,852 (RM181,660 before sales tax exemption), but those two are locally assembled in Melaka and Kedah respectively, while the RAV4 is made in Japan. Even the sales tax waiver tilts in favour of the CKD cars, which get full exemption compared to 50% for CBUs.
Where a car is made might not matter to some, but there are those who put a premium on “Made in Japan”, and if that’s you, the premium might not be that hefty, and the RAV4 is well-kitted in any case. Some point out that within Toyota’s own ranks, the Harrier – also a CBU Japan import – is priced not too far away, from RM234,510. Well, that car was priced in 2017 and MYR-USD forex was kinder to us back then.
Unfortunately, car prices have crept up of late. For instance, the Camry and Accord sedans – both coming from ASEAN neighbour Thailand – are now just below RM200k. Our non-national auto market isn’t growing, and when you consider the issues CKD players have faced of late, CBU cars and prices could well be the new normal.
Head to CarBase.my for a detailed list of RAV4 specs, and to compare it with other SUVs. Price aside, what do you think of this fresh SUV entry?
GALLERY: 2020 Toyota RAV4 2.5L
GALLERY: 2020 Toyota RAV4 official images
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(Like) RAV4
(Dislike) CRV
With SST tax holiday, for the same price of 1 RAV4 i could buy 2 Proton X70 and 1 Saga to spare.
The new RAV4 CBU still cheaper than when it was first officially sold by UMW Toyota in 2006, more than 15 years ago.
https://paultan.org/2006/05/31/2006-toyota-rav4-in-malaysia/
Well its a good car, but overprice. Its not gonna sell well for price over 200k but same segment as crv, cx5. Most people will get crv 1.5 turbo and cx5 2.5 turbo.
Umw toyota should revise this rav4 price. 2.0 at least la at 160k highest. 2.5 170k-180k highest.
Ppl go for CX-30 if priced at 160k highest
I better pay a bit more and get a real Japanese car than a China junk.
At least Japanese car is sold in every country of this world. China made cars cannot be sold in any first world country and 95% of it mainly sold only in China and other 3rd world countries like Bangladesh
Have you wondered why you don’t see any China cars in US, whole of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan etc etc?
Even Car magazines also don’t review any China cars.
But it comes with 4WD, not like now only FWD
SIR,WITH THIS TYPE OF REASONING…people buying a merc benze high end SUV,might as well buy SAGA,PESONA,IRIZ,X 70S just to have the same equation.
Just buy the complete proton range to make Dr.Li happy.
Car buyers ,are a “SYIOK” LOT.You can talk until the cow comes home buy some dudes will stick with a Toyota,even costing an arm or leg.Same thing like Protong or Honda hardcore fanboys.Car manufacturers have advertised their cars as THE DESIRED CAR OF YOUR LIFE by subtle psychological strategies to make that brand as addictive and most desirable.They employ branding specialists to appeal to hardcore fanboys.Of course specs,QC,Reliable after sales service,rebates,goodies are important.
Don’t be fooled. If you read the article, both variants are only FWD while CX-5 & CR-V comes with AWD variants. This is way too high a price for a FWD SUV.
Wow the best selling suv in the world is here…FINALLY…and the pricing justified the specs…and more importantly it’s a brand new cbu model MADE IN JAPAN…Even cheaper than most recond cars brougt in from Japan from grey importers…truly value for money for Malaysians…thank you UMW Toyota Motor
Agreed. Premium quality at affordable priced.
“Premium quality at affordable priced for people who earn at least 500k a year”.. there I fixed it for you..
People earn 500k a year will buy X70 x 2, or CX-8, or Santa Fe, or Sorento.
At a glance, so many people saying this RAV4 will flop because of the haramjadah price. Did you all forget all those people buying the overpriced CHR that launched with halogen headlights? Of course this RAV4 would sell well.
The only two problems I have with it is WHY NO AWD and WHY NOT THE HYBRID.
Agree, a RAV4 with 2WD is a stupid joke of a car.
Just call it a RAV2 already!
Hopefully CKD RAV4 will come here in months time to bring hybrid
The nearest to CKD is Thailand. Since Thailand not bringing the car in so quite unlikely we’re gonna get any cheaper version, I hope I’m wrong though.
This will sell less numbers than CH-R and that car haven’t been considered for CKD so highly unlikely RAV4 will be CKD here.
Even though it is very high pricey, it looks so awesome with good specs and bringing Dynamic Force Engine. This will definitely smoke CRV
just pay a bit more and get a bmw x1. more brand status, more punchy turbo 2.0 and more luxury. 2.5t road rax much higher than bmw 2.0t
(Like) RAV4, CX5 and X70
(Dislike) CRV
Looks nice when see it in real
LOL what kind of comparison is this?
Lol! This is right comparison
Wow!! Would love to own the RAV4 if I hadn’t got the 2.2D AWD CX-5. The RAV4 is the number one SUV.
Wow! You sounded so fake, no one will be convinced to buy car from you. No wonder have free time to come here posing as this and that…
Haha. No offense taken. I am a genuine car owner not salesman.
I like your enthusiasm Mr. OngTK. Keep it up!
Then sell your cx5 and buy rav4, no one stopping u
Thank you UMW Toyota for giving us goodies spec. Please bring locally assembled car
I doubt Toyota will CKD it. They are bringing their models from Japan and Thailand if u look at the recent years hence the not so nice pricing they give us.
For that price buy audi q2 better
Really? Tell me why Q2 don’t have aeb
lol buying a jacked up vw polo with a nice badge but at nearly 3 times the price. go ahead.
Toyota is running out of design cues. The rear light is Tiguan LOL
Really RAV4 looks more better than CRV. Seems like honda designers have ran out more ideas.
looks like the 2nd hand car market will be a boom in the coming future considering the trend of rising prices of new cars lately
Kereta banyak cantik tapi kereta banyak mahal ini RAV4.
Syukur x 10000 ada X70 yang mampu milik.
So gorgeous
Is our version come with 2WD or AWD/4WD? I miss that part. But good specs and fresh design
Joms
Xc40 better spec, higher power about the same price
the front face looks ugly
Compare with camry pricing, camry is pathetic
Because camry still using old engine unlike this rav4 comes with dynamic force engine.
Perhaps Paul Tan Driven should do one with RAV4, CX-5, CR-V, X-Trail and Tiguan ….
Let’s not forget the Malaysia’s very own X70…or China?
So in your opinion, which of the above is Malaysian?
Malaysia’s own? LOL.
some ‘wise’ man will buy this car….
back looks like current Toyota Rush especially the tail lights
UMWT said they will launch two more CKD SUV this year. I hope this RAV4 is one of it… Fingers crossed.
Interior looks boring. Ugly front grill design. The price for this segment killed my appetite. Waiting for the new Harrier. Hopefully the price would be reasonable and does not bring UMW greedy image with K (kosong) specs.
1
Did you know, in 2006-2008 rav4 in duty free island labuan priced rm87k,peninsular Rm203k but 2020 labuan rm130k, peninsular rm203k
Wah the X1 suddenly looks enticing ….kakakaka what weed are those umw guys smokin?
Why bother advertising? Waiting period for delivery is 5-6 months
I don’t see the point of a 2WD SUV?
If you never, ever, intend to take it off road then you never, ever, need an SUV. It’s not just hardcore off-road use. In my Subaru I can confidently park on a grass verge for example. I have seen too many ‘SUVs’ literally stuck on a verge because of a 1″ lip.
I’m not demanding a rear air locker and a central diff lock, just basic AWD, you know, like a real SUV? 200k for a shopping trolley is ridiculous