2004 Model Year Toyota RAV4 Gets The ‘X’ Factor

29 September 2003

This is an archived press release.
For more information on this model, please visit the RAV4 Archive.

 

 

Key Points

  • More style, safety and performance for 2004 model year RAV4, on sale in UK from 1 October
  • RAV4 remains Europe’s best-selling SUV
  • Worldwide production more than 1.4 million since launch
  • Simplified model range with XT2, XT3 and XT4 grades replacing the previous NV, NRG, GX and VX
  • Front side and SRS Curtain Shield airbags standard on all models
  • First in compact 4×4 class to offer Curtain Shield airbags
  • Engine options 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol and 2.0 D-4D common rail diesel
  • 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine now meets Euro IV exhaust emissions standards
  • XT4 versions equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC) and Brake Assist (BA)
  • Suspension fine tuned for even greater ride comfort
  • Climate control air conditioning standard on XT4
  • Revised front grille, front bumper, fog lights and headlamps
  • New-look rear light clusters and spare wheel cover
  • Cabin ambience enhanced with new dashboard finish, chrome door handles and illuminated entry system
  • XT3 and XT4 feature wide body styling kit, colour-matched bumpers (selected colour shades) and new-design 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Redesigned steering wheel incorporates remote audio system controls on XT3 and XT4 models
  • Insurance group 10E for XT2, 11E for XT3 and 12E for XT4 models
  • Prices from £15,995 on the road for three-door 2.0-litre petrol XT2

You have seen the ‘story’ many times before: a sluggish selling product is given a mid-life makeover that amounts to little more than a new front grille and a bigger badge on the tailgate. Where the RAV4 is concerned, there is no attempt to weave a silk purse from a sow’s ear. For a start, more than 1.4 million have been built since RAV4 first broke cover in 1994 and it is firmly established as Europe’s best-selling SUV. In 2003 in the UK sales have soared by more than 18 per cent on last year’s figures, an increase that has largely been driven by the continuing success of the 2.0-litre D-4D diesel versions, available since August 2000.

Continuous improvement is a principle central to all Toyota’s activities, so rather than resting on its laurels, it has revised the RAV4 to achieve higher levels of comfort, safety and performance. As well as improving specifications across the board, it has re-tuned the suspension and steering and developed the 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine to meet Euro IV emissions standards, well ahead of their 2005 implementation. Yes, there is a new front grille and light clusters, but the improvements to the RAV4 go beyond simply making it look more stylish to create a vehicle that has greater market appeal than ever before.

NEW MODEL GRADING STRUCTURE

The RAV4 range has been rationalised and made simpler with the introduction of a new grading system, XT2, XT3 and XT4 replacing the previous NV, NRG, GX and VX grades. The XT2 is the new entry-level model, available in three and five-door bodystyles. XT3 is available as a three and five-door, too, while the top-of-the-range XT4 is a five-door only.

All versions of the RAV4 are available with either Toyota’s 147bhp 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine – which now complies with Euro IV emissions standards – or the clean and fuel-efficient 2.0-litre D-4D common rail diesel unit. Where pricing is concerned, diesel versions carry a £1,000 premium over the equivalent petrol model.

PIONEERING SAFETY PACKAGE

In terms of safety, RAV4 breaks new ground as the first compact SUV to be equipped with SRS Curtain Shield airbags as standard. These have been introduced along with front side airbags on all versions. Driver and front passenger airbags and WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) remain standard equipment.

Active safety provision on the XT4 now includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC) and Brake Assist (BA). All models are equipped with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

QUALITY STYLE AND EQUIPMENT

‘Superior Quality’ is the foundation stone of the RAV4’s product DNA, an element that is reflected in the detail changes to both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. At the front the lines have been freshened up with a new bumper section, grille, headlamp units and fog lights. At the rear the tail lamp clusters and rigid spare wheel cover are both new, too, and new-design five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels have been introduced for XT3 and XT4 grades.

In the cabin a more exclusive ambience has been created by using darker trim and new metallic finishes for the restyled dashboard. Chrome doorhandles and fabric-covered sun visors with courtesy lights have been introduced on all models and on XT3 and XT4 versions audio controls have been added to the steering wheel and the gear shift knob and steering wheel have been trimmed with leather. The cabin has been rendered even quieter thanks to revisions to the RAV4’s soundproofing.

All RAV4s are fitted with air conditioning, the XT4 with automatic climate control. An intermittent/variable wiper system and electric rear windows (five-door versions) have been added to the specification of all models.

RIDE AND HANDLING

RAV4’s steering feel has been sharpened with a new gear ratio and mounting bushes and a more comfortable ride has been achieved with adjustments to the front suspension and shock absorber rates.

UK PRICING

The 2004 model year RAV4 goes on sale in the UK on 1 October. Full details of on the road prices are given in the table below.

MODEL – ON THE ROAD PRICE

  • 2.0 VVT-i XT2 three-door – £15,995
  • 2.0 D-4D XT2 three-door – £16,995
  • 2.0 VVT-i XT2 five-door – £16,995
  • 2.0 D-4D XT2 five-door – £17,995
  • 2.0 VVT-i XT3 three-door (auto) – £16,995 (£17,995)
  • 2.0 D-4D XT3 three-door – £17,995
  • 2.0 VVT-i XT3 five-door (auto) – £18,495 (£19,495)
  • 2.0 D-4D XT3 five-door – £19,495
  • 2.0 VVT-i XT4 five-door (auto) – £20,995 (£21,995)
  • 2.0 D-4D XT4 five-door – £21,995

RAV4 EQUIPMENT LIST

SAFETY

XT2

XT3

XT4

Driver & front passenger airbags

Curtain airbags

ABS with EBD

Vehicle Stability Control

X

X

Traction Control

X

X

Electronic sensing front seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters

Front 3-point seat-belts with ELR

2 rear 3-point seat-belts with ELR & ALR

3-door

3-door

X

3 rear 3-point seat-belts with ELR & ALR

5-door

5-door

Front, side & rear head impact absorbing structure/energy absorbing crumple zones

ISOFIX child seat mount with top tether

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Power assisted steering

Front electric windows

Rear electric windows

Driver’s window electric one touch up and down with safety anti-trap

Electric tilt/slide sunroof with shade

X

5-door

Leather upholstery

X

Opt

Central locking with remote control and double locking

Manual air conditioning

X

Automatic climate control

X

X

Leather steering wheel and gearshift knob trim

X

AUDIO

Integrated radio/cassette player (4-speaker)

X

X

Integrated radio/CD tuner (4-speaker)

X

Steering wheel-mounted audio controls

X

CD autochanger

Opt

Opt

Opt

Mini-disc changer

Opt

Opt

Opt

SECURITY

Remote perimeter alarm

X

Remote perimeter alarm and microwave interior protection

X

X

Transponder key coded engine immobiliser

EXTERIOR AND BODYWORK
Colour keyed bumpers (selected colours) and wide body styling

X

Front fog lamps

X

Rear roof spoiler

X

3-door

X

16″ alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts

X

Roof rails

Hard cover for spare wheel

X

RAV4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE (2.0-litre)

Valve mechanism

Variable valve timing,16-valve, DOHC, chain drive

Bore x stroke (mm)

86.0 x 86.0

Displacement (cc)

1998

Compression ratio

9.8:1

Max. power (bhp/rpm)

147 @ 6,000

Max. torque (Nm/rpm)

192 @ 4,000

ENGINE (2.0-litre D-4D)

Valve mechanism

Variable valve timing,16-valve, DOHC, chain drive

Bore x stroke (mm)

82.2 x 94.0

Displacement (cc)

1995

Compression ratio

18.6:1

Max. power (bhp/rpm)

114 @ 4,000

Max torque (Nm/ rpm)

250 @ 1,800-3,000

PERFORMANCE

2.0-litre

(M/T)

2.0-litre

(A/T)

2.0-litre D-4D

(M/T)

Max. speed (mph)

112

109

106

0-62mph

11.0

11.2

12.1

FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS & VED RATING

Combined mpg

32.1

30.4

39.8

Urban mpg

24.8

22.8

31.7

Extra Urban mpg

38.7

37.2

46.3

CO2 g/km

211

224

190

VED Rating

D

D

D

SUSPENSION

Front

MacPherson struts with L-shaped arms

Rear

Double wishbone with trailing arms

BRAKES

Front

Ventilated disc (302mm)

Rear

Solid disc (298mm)

STEERING

Type

Rack and pinion

Ratio

16

Turns lock to lock

2.9

TYRES AND WHEELS

Wheel size

16-inch aluminium /steel

Tyre size

215/70 R16 (XT2)

235/60 R16 (XT3 and XT4)

WEIGHTS

3-DOOR

5-DOOR

Kerb weight (kg)

1220-1330 (2.0-litre)

1310 – 1425 (D-4D)

1275-1385 (2.0-litre)

1370-1485 (D-4D)

Towing capacity (unbraked) kg

640

640

Towing capacity (braked) kg

1500

1500

Gross vehicle weight (total kg)

1690 (2.0-litre)

1785 (D-4D)

1825 (2.0-litre)

1925 (D-4D)

GEARBOX RATIOS

M/T

A/T

1st

3.833

3.938

2nd

2.045

2.194

3rd

1.333

1.411

4th

1.028

1.019

5th

0.820

Reverse

3.583

3.141

Final drive ratio

4.562

3.291

LUGGAGE CAPACITY (L)

3-DOOR

5-DOOR

Rear seats in position

150

410

Rear seats folded

230

520

Rear seats removed

690

970

DIMENSIONS (exterior)

3-DOOR

5-DOOR

Overall length (mm)

3870

4265

Overall width (mm)

1735 (XT2)

1785 (XT3 and XT4)

1735 (XT2)

1785 (XT3 and XT4)

Overall height (mm)

1685 – 1695

1705 – 1715

Wheelbase (mm)

2280

2490

Min. turning radius (m)

5.0

5.3

Tread width – front (mm)

1505 (215 tyre)

1525 (235 tyre)

Tread width – rear (mm)

1495 (215 tyre)

1520 (235 tyre)

Fuel tank capacity (L / gal)

57 / 12.5

Coefficient of drag

0.35

ENDS

Download this release as a PDF below

2004 Model Year Toyota RAV4 Gets The ‘X’ Factor

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