2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Promises More Off-Road Fun
Packing impressive new technology and a stiffer platform, the 2019 RAV4 Adventure is truly a no-compromise vehicle.
In the past few years, the Toyota RAV4 has skyrocketed up the sales charts to become America’s best-selling non-truck. Which is no small feat, especially when you consider the fact that the current RAV4 rides on a nearly seven-year-old platform. That’s ancient by modern-day crossover standards, of course. But Toyota isn’t exactly resting on its laurels, either. In fact, they revealed an all-new RAV4 at this year’s New York International Auto Show. And this heavily revised compact crossover looks primed to retain its crown as one of this country’s most popular modes of transportation.
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 comes in three distinct flavors – Limited, Adventure, and XSE HV. The latter of which offers up sporty performance, hybrid power, and enhanced driving dynamics. The RAV4 Limited promises, of course, premium styling and a cabin packed with technology and luxury amenities. But being the off-road enthusiasts that we are, we’re most interested in the third option – the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure.
The Adventure’s intentions are clearly on display via the crossover’s unique exterior features. They include standard high-rise roof rails to hold all your gear, along with large over-fender flares to protect your ride from rocks and other debris. All Adventure models can be had with a unique Ice Edge-colored roof paired with three color options – Midnight Black Metallic, Blue Flame, or Lunar Rock.
But other, less functional styling treatments give the RAV4 Adventure a more purposeful look as well. They include an aggressive grille design, fog light surrounds, and a unique wheel design. Toyota’s intention here was to create something that screams “robust,” and we’d say they nailed it. The Adventure is certainly not something anyone will accuse of being a “cute ‘ute.”
The interior of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure carries a unique and purposeful design as well. The overall look is rugged yet stylish, with a choice of durable orange-stitched, black, or mocha SofTex seats. Orange accents offer up a nice contrast and give the Adventure a very unique yet sporty look inside.
All of this means nothing, of course, if the new RAV4 Adventure can’t hang off-road. And Toyota has put forth a considerable amount of time to ensure that it can walk the walk as well. It all starts with the brand new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which all 2019 RAV4s ride on.
The new platform is both longer and wider, with shorter overhangs front and rear to aid off-road performance. Ground clearance is increased by more than a half-inch, and the new RAV4’s chassis is 57% stiffer than the outgoing model.
An optional, industry-first Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Driveshaft Disconnect system gives drivers improved handling characteristics and more flexibility. The system is capable of sending up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. And/or distribute it to the left or right wheel as needed.
And when you don’t need all-wheel drive at all, it uses ratchet-type dog clutches on both the front and rear wheel shafts to stop the driveshaft’s rotations and convert the RAV4 to front-wheel drive only. Which, of course, both improves fuel efficiency and reduces rotational vibration, which makes for a smoother ride.
And as with all AWD RAV4 models, the Adventure comes equipped with Toyota’s new Multi-Terrain Select. Using a control dial placed in the center console (conveniently by the shift knob), drivers can easily flip through snow, mud, sand, or rocks driving modes to maximize traction.
All of which is music to the ears of those who need an economical and practical crossover, yet still like to have a little fun on the weekends. And we expect the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure to check all of those very important boxes!
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