Khulekani On Wheels
    • Car Reviews
    • Car News
    • Electric
    • Videos
    • Travel
    • About
    • Contact

    Toyota RAV4 GX-R driven

    By khulekani / on Jun 10th, 2019 / in Car Reviews, featured

    Toyota RAV4 GX-R driven

    By khulekani / on Jun 10th, 2019 / in Car Reviews, featured

     

    By Khulekani Dumisa

    When someone mentions the Toyota RAV4, you won’t be blamed if a picture of a family with teenagers comes to mind. Toyota knows this and have slotted into their newly launched RAV4 a model that will appeal to the more youthful, and adventurous families. They have dubbed it the GX-R. It also comes in AWD meaning that you won’t only get youthful looks but will be able to satisfy your adventure craving even off-the beaten track.

    View this post on Instagram

    Today we welcome the all new @toyota_sa RAV4. We enjoyed driving the RAV4 at launch particularly this mid-spec and youthful GX-R. GX-R grade is aimed at customers looking for a more rugged exterior appearance and increased off-road usage. The GX-R receives an enlarged upper front grille with broad horizontal slats, a larger more prominent skidplate and chunky black over-fenders. The GX-R also adds to features of the entry level GX and features power-adjustable leather seats with lumbar support, leather steering wheel and trim, smart entry, auto-dimming interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging and climate control. The exterior inherits 18-inch alloy wheels. Seat heating and ventilation are provided for front passengers. The GX-R is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine which delivers a maximum power output of 127 kW and 203 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with Toyota’s latest shiftmatic CTV transmission which is one of the refined CVTs we’ve come across. It’s smooth, precise and mitigates the drone sound associated with CVT engines by quite a bit. #toyota #toyotarav4 #rav4 #leadtheway #leader #quality #refined #car #suv #family #reliable #value #valueformoney #city #town #durban #capetown #johannesburg #polokwane #nelspruit 📸 @salaontop

    A post shared by The Car People (@khulekani_on_wheels) on May 29, 2019 at 10:20pm PDT

    Outside

    In my view, the new RAV4 looks much more youthful than the outgoing model just based on the squarer and more angular shape alone. The GX-R additions drive this message home I suppose. The GX-R is noticeable by its enlarged upper front grille with broad horizontal slats, a larger more prominent skid plate and chunky black over-fenders. The exterior inherits 18-inch alloy wheels to match the visual differentiation. LED daytime running lights keep the GX-R noticeable from afar and also assist with safety. Our test GX-R came in black. We’d probably go for a more outgoing colour that won’t show scratches easily like Caribbean Blue that’s available in the range.

    Sesifikile ekhaya. Isiphathe kahle i-@ToyotaSA RAV4 entsha. Imigwaqo ebibuye ibe mibi ayiyixakanga. Injini inamandla ihambisana negiya leCVT elizishintsha kawu10 ngendlela encomekayo. Nokho ubuye uwuzwe umsindo weCVT. Angeke ukuxake kakhulu kodwa. Kuphethiloli sibe ku-8.5l/100km. pic.twitter.com/v8dVfJ7oFQ

    — Citizen_Khulekani (@khulekaniOW) May 31, 2019

    Inside

    The GX-R is offered with a two tone interior. Our test one had an orange and beige interior. It’s not what we’d go for. Whilst we thought the orange was cool, the beige was already appearing a bit dirty. This is something a family that likes adventure will not afford – spending every second month at the valet instead of maximizing adventure offering of the GX-R. Other than the colour options, the interior is roomy and offers a lot of storage spaces.

    Front and back passengers have decent head, shoulder and legroom thanks a fully flat floor and a length extended by 60mm to secure best-in-class capacity of 580 litres (79 litres more than in the current RAV4).

    Umthwalo usobhokweni silibangise ogwini laKwaZulu-Natal. Sithe akesidle kancane ubhuqu kwazise le-@ToyotaSA RAV GX-R idonsa ngowo omane futhi inenkinobho eyenza ikwazi ukushayeleka obhuqwini nase matsheni. pic.twitter.com/9GGVZ1PmrY

    — Citizen_Khulekani (@khulekaniOW) May 31, 2019

    Noticeable creature comforts in the GX-R include power-adjustable leather seats with lumbar support, leather steering wheel and trim, smart entry, auto-dimming interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging and climate control. Seat heating and ventilation are provided for front passengers.

    Engine and drive

    The RAV4 GX-R is powered by a natural aspirated 2.0litre engine that kicks out 127 kW of power and 203 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a refined 10-Speed CVT transmission gearbox. Yes, you do get the drone sound on acceleration, especially when you try to put foot on metal at high speeds but the transmission is one of the finest CVT transmissions we’ve encountered in a while. We took the car for a long drive to KwaZulu-Natal and we managed to average a combined fuel consumption of 7.7l/100 km (against a claimed 6.5 – 6.8 l/100km which is not bad). This is very decent in our view. The ride quality is also good and the car remained composed in all sorts of terrain that we threw at it. We even took advantage of the sand and rock drive mode that’s available thanks to the AWD set up, and set the car flying on gravel. The car ate it all up like a champ and never once seemed like it was out of its comfort zone.

    The Toyoya RAV4 2.0 GX-R CVT AWD is priced from R508,100. Prices include a 6-services/90,000 km service plan and a 3-year/100,000 km warranty.

    Categories: Car Reviews, featured  /  Tags: New Toyota RAV4 GX-R, New Toyota RAV4 in South Africa, Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 GX-R
  • Comment

  • Leave a comment Cancel

    Leave a comment
  • Comment

  • Next articleMercedes-Benz unveils all new GLB SUV

    By Staff Reporter The German based manufacturer has removed the covers off their new GLB. ...

  • Previous articleDriven: Hyundai Santa Fe

    By Khulekani Dumisa Most buyers looking for a seven seater family SUV will most likely l...

  • More & Related Articles

    Opel South Africa discretely announces new Vivaro Cargo Panel Van pricing

    By Otsile Kadiege Whilst browsing through Opel South Africa’s website we came across the German automaker’s new Vivaro panel van. The Vivaro is available solely available with a...

    Stronger than time with the Mercedes-Benz G400d

    By Sala Masindane In a country where size and sound matters, mind the pun. The introduction of the G400d would not make sense in terms of sales and...

    Tested: Ford Ranger FX-4

    By Mthuthuzeli Mpiti* My relationship and experience with Ford bakkies spans back to approximately 8 years ago when I started working in project management. My daily duties included...

    Handsome 2021 Opel Corsa launched

    By Otsile Kadiege There’s a new player in the popular and a highly contested B-hatch segment and it’s none other than the new Opel Corsa. The Corsa is...

    All-new Mahindra Thar revealed

    By Staff Reporter Mahindra has revealed the latest iteration of its iconic Thar which grows in size, gets new interior and exterior looks, and upgraded technology. Exterior The...

    Suzuki adds turbocharged model to Vitara range

    By Khulekani Dumisa SUVs are taking over and all manufactures are trying to find means and ways to make them more exciting. The formula is to add more...

    Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica unveiled

    By Otsile Kadiege Just a few months after unveiling the track-focused STO, the Italian automaker revealed yet another special Huracán, which they say caters to those who are...

    Range Rover Velar Auric Edition revealed

    By Clive Funizwe Launched in 2017 and updated recently, the Range Rover Velar now has a limited-edition model dubbed the Auric Edition. It combines unique design elements such...

    COVID-19

    STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND VISIT THE OFFICIAL COVID-19 WEBSITE: WWW.SACORONAVIRUS.CO.ZA


    © 2023 Khulekani On Wheels - Managed by Tech Matters