Automotive

Toyota heads for the hills with RAV4 TRD Off-Road

Toyota heads for the hills with RAV4 TRD Off-Road
TRD badging and an exclusive two-tone Magnetic Gray Metallic w/ Ice Edge Roof are the most obvious of the RAV4 TRD Off-Road's options
TRD badging and an exclusive two-tone Magnetic Gray Metallic w/ Ice Edge Roof are the most obvious of the RAV4 TRD Off-Road's options
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The new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) version of the RAV4 builds on the RAV4 Adventure model by adding what Toyota has learned through its rallycross racing team
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The new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) version of the RAV4 builds on the RAV4 Adventure model by adding what Toyota has learned through its rallycross racing team
The RAV4 TRD Off-Road will be rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds (1,587 kilograms)
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The RAV4 TRD Off-Road will be rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds (1,587 kilograms)
The RAV4 TRD Off-Road replaces the Adventure’s coil springs with more off-road-ready coils and shocks with twin-tubes featuring internal rebound springs
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The RAV4 TRD Off-Road replaces the Adventure’s coil springs with more off-road-ready coils and shocks with twin-tubes featuring internal rebound springs
A tire tread pattern in the seats and TRD red stitching are more signs that this RAV4 model is a TRD Off-Road
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A tire tread pattern in the seats and TRD red stitching are more signs that this RAV4 model is a TRD Off-Road
Visually, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road has several cues to set it apart from the Adventure and other trim points on the RAV4
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Visually, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road has several cues to set it apart from the Adventure and other trim points on the RAV4
The 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road will also include Toyota’s full suite of Safety Sense advanced safety equipment
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The 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road will also include Toyota’s full suite of Safety Sense advanced safety equipment
TRD badging and an exclusive two-tone Magnetic Gray Metallic w/ Ice Edge Roof are the most obvious of the RAV4 TRD Off-Road's options
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TRD badging and an exclusive two-tone Magnetic Gray Metallic w/ Ice Edge Roof are the most obvious of the RAV4 TRD Off-Road's options
Toyota unveiled a new 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road model at the Chicago Auto Show, building on things learned from rallycross and the RAV4 Adventure model
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Toyota unveiled a new 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road model at the Chicago Auto Show, building on things learned from rallycross and the RAV4 Adventure model
Lighter and more rigid matte black TRD-designed wheels on the RAV4 Off-Road are clad with specially engineered Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires
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Lighter and more rigid matte black TRD-designed wheels on the RAV4 Off-Road are clad with specially engineered Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires
View gallery - 9 images

The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 entered showrooms late in 2018. At the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota has followed up with a new off-road-centric version of the crossover – the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road edition. This model adds an exclusive suspension and tires to the RAV4.

The new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) version of the RAV4 builds on the RAV4 Adventure model by adding what Toyota has learned through its rallycross racing team. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road replaces the Adventure's coil springs with more off-road-ready coils, and shocks with twin-tubes featuring internal rebound springs. Bump stops maximize compression direction wheel travel and improve body control when hitting large bumps and dips.

The lighter and more rigid matte black TRD-designed wheels on the RAV4 Off-Road are clad with specially engineered Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires. These have a square shoulder design to protect against punctures and include severe snow rating, with an open shoulder for shedding both mud and snow debris.

Toyota says that the new TRD Off-Road suspension changes for the 2020 RAV4 result in virtually the same profile and height as the RAV4 Adventure. The engine is also the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder that outputs 203 horsepower (151 kW) to an eight-speed automatic transmission and it's rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds (1,587 kilograms). All-wheel drive is standard, capable of sending up to 50 percent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels where it can also be distributed from left to right.

Lighter and more rigid matte black TRD-designed wheels on the RAV4 Off-Road are clad with specially engineered Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires
Lighter and more rigid matte black TRD-designed wheels on the RAV4 Off-Road are clad with specially engineered Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires

There's several visual cues to set the RAV4 TRD Off-Road apart from the Adventure. TRD badging and an exclusive two-tone Magnetic Gray Metallic w/ Ice Edge Roof are the most obvious, but there's also dark gray front and rear lower fascias, LED fog lamps, and interior TRD badges.

The 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road will also include Toyota's full suite of Safety Sense advanced safety equipment that includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warnings.

Toyota says pricing and availability will be announced later in the year.

Source: Toyota

View gallery - 9 images
3 comments
3 comments
guzmanchinky
Forgive me, but this is for looks and sales. Anyone who takes this off road will be ripping those plastic pieces off the lower fascia in about 30 feet. And without any kind of articulation improvement you'll have 2 wheels off the ground at all times. Or is it meant to go fast? In which case the first jump will show you why a vehicle that can also get groceries does not belong in the desert...
paul c
so is it a real auto or a cvt with programmed steps?
Johannes
paul c - It's not a CVT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehgwf_C5zgY