Toyota Rav4 2012 - Reviews and Pricing
Toyota Rav4 2012 - Concept
Toyota Rav4 2012 - Picture
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 should carry over intact from the 2011 Toyota RAV4, with some new color choices a perhaps realignment of some equipment packages the only probable changes. Introduction of a special-edition model to mark the end of this RAV4 design generation is an outside possibility. The 2012 RAV4 will continue to battle the likes of the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape for sales leadership in the compact-crossover class. Unlike those rivals, however, the RAV4 is just large enough to accommodate a small third-row seat, making it one of the few in this class available with seven-passenger capacity. It’s also offered with a powerful V-6 that makes it the fastest crossover in its competitive set.
Should you wait for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 or buy the 2011 Toyota RAV4? Don’t wait. The 2012 RAV4 won’t change enough to make the 2011 obsolete. And with a fully redesigned replacement due for model-year 2013, your 2011 RAV4 will be fresher, longer than a 2012 model. Finally, by shopping sooner than later, you’ll increase chances of capitalizing on generous factory incentives Toyota is offering to attract buyers after its sudden-acceleration controversy. Toyota recalled some 2009-2010 RAV4s to replace sticking gas pedals, but the vast majority of RAV4s sold in the U.S. are imported from Japan and were not subject to the recall. All 2011 and 2012 RAV4s will include an electronic brake-override system designed to prevent sudden acceleration.
Although the RAV4 received a refresh for the 2009 model year, and minor changes for 2010, the current iteration of the four-door SUV dates back to 2006 – not old by industry standards but certainly up there by Toyota’s life-cycle system. As such, a new version of the compact rig will likely surface in 2010 or 2011.
Using information gathered from various inside sources, we had our in-house artist draw up a rendering of what the next-gen RAV4 will look like. Although we aren’t expecting the next RAV4 to grow much in size, we expect it to adopt some styling cues from the Tundra pickup and FJ Cruiser SUV, giving Toyota’s lineup of trucks and SUVs a more uniform appearance. Despite giving the small SUV a more truck-ish appearance of an exterior spare tire, the RAV4 will retain that feature on some models.
