autonet-Toyota Canada has announced aggressive pricing for the new 2013 RAV4 sport utility that was introduced late last year at the LA Auto Show.
MSRP for the front-wheel drive RAV4 LE will start at $23,790 – a reduction of $1,075 compared to the base price of the 2012 model – while the better equipped XLE with front-wheel drive starts at $27,000.
Three versions also are available with Toyota‘s newly engineered all-wheel drive system: the AWD LE starting at $25,990; the AWD XLE at $29,200; and the top-of-the-line AWD Limited at $31,700.
All trim levels are priced below comparable vehicles from the previous model year, in part because a V6 engine no longer will be offered. Toyota is betting that consumers will opt for price and fuel economy over performance, so all 2013 RAV4s will be powered by a 176-horsepower inline-4 mated to a 6-speed automatic with sequential shift. Three drive modes are available at the touch of a button – Normal is the default mode, but the driver also can select Eco or Sport.
The other big news is that a liftgate finally replaces RAV4’s side-hinged rear door. That means the vehicle also loses its exterior mounted spare tire – which should make insurance companies happy. With the spare in that location, damage from rear-end collisions typically was worse for RAV4 than with compact SUVs that carry the spare under the cargo bay floor.
Other improvements include 60/40 reclining second-row seats, a new audio system with available touch-screen display, eight airbags and 2,078 litres of cargo space.
Available technology includes: rear cross traffic alert, lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, automatic high beam system and a back-up camera.
The made-in-Canada 2013 RAV4 models will be arriving at dealerships later this winter.
