FEATURED

SPONSOR

Thursday, 20 December, 2012 5:23 PM

Toyota shows off the 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

by Jason Rzucidlo americajr@americajr.com

WATCH: Exclusive interview with Toyota's Sam M. Butto about the 2013 RAV4 crossover

|

LOS ANGELES -- Toyota debuted the fourth generation, or 2014 model, of its RAV4 crossover SUV. The vehicle made its world debut during the automaker's press conference on the first media day of the auto show on Nov. 28. All trim levels of the RAV4 come equipped with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. Other features include color-keyed door handles, 17-inch steel wheels, a color-keyed rear spoiler and a 6.1-inch display unit with a backup camera. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 starts at $24,145 and tops out just under $30,000. It is still more expensive than the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape.

"We feel this is the best RAV4 we've ever had," said Sam M. Butto, a senior product communications specialist for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. "It's an important vehicle for us because RAV4 actually started the niche of a small SUV back in the mid-90s. Since then, there are over 50 other vehicles like this out there. We sort of started everything so it's pretty important we follow it up with something good. This vehicle has some nice exciting styling, which is basically reaffirms our leader, Akio Toyoda's wish to have more exciting designs in our vehicles. I think this is a good example."

How is the RAV4 unique from similar vehicles already in the marketplace?

"It's going to have the highest maximum cargo volume of any vehicle in the segment," he added. "It's 73.3 inches. Also, it's going to lead its class with eight standard airbags. We think it's going to attract younger buyers without alienating our loyal buyers that we already have. It's going to aimed primarily at couples maybe in their 30's and 40's and younger couples with kids."

Let's discuss the engine and amount of horsepower it produces.

"The engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, which is the same engine that the current one has," Butto explained. "But it's been tuned and paired with a six-speed automatic, which helps its fuel efficiency. I think the current one has an mpg of somewhere around 27 where this one is going to have 31. Horsepower is going to be 176. For it's size, it's going to have very sufficient performance."

I understand there is an electric version of the RAV4.

"Yeah, the RAV4 EV, which was launched earlier this year," the communications specialist said. "The design is a little bit different, it doesn't quite look like this. It's a pure electric that went on sale several months ago. It is in the neighborhood of about $40,000-$42,000."

Can you discuss some of the interior and exterior features of the 2013 RAV4?

"As far as the interior goes, it's going to come equipped with our Entune system, which is the telematics system," he added. "It features apps like Pandora, iheartradio and MovieTickets.com and all of the other apps like NAV traffic. Standard equipment is going to include back-up camera, which is a really important safety feature. It's going to be available standard on all grades of RAV4. The exterior of the vehicle actually shrunk by a couple of inches in length, yet the interior actually feels more spacious. The exterior is an all-new design. It's a lot more exciting, sportier."

Where is this new model is being built?

"It is being manufactured in Canada, I believe it's in Ontario," Butto explained. "We may very well in all likelihood be bringing some over from Japan depending on the demand for the vehicle. We figure the demand is going to be great enough where Canada might not be able to have the capacity to fulfill our needs. If need be, we might bring a few over from Japan as well."

Any other final comments about the 2013 Toyota RAV4?

"Since RAV4 launched, we've sold over 1,740,000 units and we think this is going to carry on that tradition. It will be in showrooms in January. I don't have a firm date, but it will be arriving in January."

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Los Angeles Auto Show, visit www.laautoshow.com.

Related Stories: Fiat shows off three new models at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Mustangs from the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Porsche introduces 2014 Cayman and Cayman S at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Mazda reveals the 2014 Mazda6 at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Honda debuts the 2013 Civic at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Nissan unveils the Hi-Cross Concept at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Subaru shows off the 2014 Forester crossover at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Jaguar reveals the 2014 F-Type sports car at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Chevrolet debuts the 2014 Spark EV; teases new Corvette at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Kia unveils the 2014 Forte sedan at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

 

[ Click here for more coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show ] Visit the official website of the Los Angeles Auto Show   The Los Angeles Auto Show has the rare distinction of being recognized by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), one of only two in the U.S.