Driving the Toyota RAV4 Adventure literally feels the spirit of an SUV

While driving the Toyota RAV4 Adventure , we found that this SUV is capable of dealing with obstacles such as dirt, mud, stones, ruts, concrete, gravel, dust, sand and even asphalt. bad quality. This version of the RAV4 displays a strong hybrid orientation, well beyond its engine. The Japanese manufacturer has designed this SUV to be extremely capable in difficult terrain, as we could see for ourselves during our off-road test.

The Toyota RAV4 Adventure features the same powertrain as the two plug-in hybrid variants of the Toyota RAV4 plug-in . Although it does not have the same electric power as the 306 horsepower plug-in version, this configuration makes it a more suitable choice for difficult terrain such as tracks, ravines and any other terrain that presents a certain challenge. off the asphalt.

Could you invite this individual? It is very likely that he is one of the best in the field of trail running among his peers. However, it may make your casual SUV look like an outlaw on the roads, when in reality it won't be able to drive it up stairs.

During our test, we found that the vehicle is capable of crossing different types of terrain thanks to the incorporation of the hybrid formula manufactured by Toyota (Aichi) . This classifies it as an intermediate vehicle (or re-hybrid, as we mentioned) that also allows us to travel on the road without suffering the fuel consumption penalties related to its volume and mass, thanks to its hybrid system two electric motors, one on each axle. In addition, the vehicle's interior retains a familiar and comfortable ambience typical of the most popular hybrid electric RAV4 .

Walker also in aesthetics

Before discussing the advantages it offers, it is worth pointing out the remarkable design features of the SUV. Compared to its counterparts in the range, including the RAV4 plug-in hybrid version, the AWD-i SUV stands out greatly thanks to a few aesthetic variations that enhance its prestige and give it a touch of aggression.

It's a bit like comparing running shoes for the city with those designed for traversing mountains and asphalt. Toyota has always shown a special affection for its models, evidenced by its commitment to functionality as well as its GR SPORT collaborations and releases .

The Toyota RAV4 Adventure has been customized with country styling cues up front, such as fog lights and a Tacoma-like grille, plus a heavy-duty metal bumper to protect against spills and bumps . The wheel arches, 19-inch wheels and tires are also reinforced for practicality rather than for sophisticated aesthetics. The general appearance of the vehicle is rather military. This Adventure trim also has a 10mm higher ground clearance compared to other RAV4 models, increasing from 190mm to 200mm, as well as a 15mm increased length and 10mm increased width.

The two-tone body color gives a bold touch to the whole. For now, the manufacturer only offers one color: " Urban Khaki ", which is not really an urban shade. However, the ' Dynamic Grey ' colored roof and pillars are a reminder that this is not a one-road car.

The manufacturer considers this splash of color to refer to the Toyota Land Cruiser . The many RAV4 drivers we passed seemed to confirm this theory by admiring our car and even asking us its version when we pulled up.

A very RAV4 interior

While the exterior features are visible, the interior of this vehicle has been designed to promote comfort, a feature shared with the other finishes. The habitability is also similar, with a trunk volume of 580 liters and an automatically opening tailgate. In the high driving position, this vehicle is easily controlled.

It offers up to three control options for adjusting the seats, with a distinctive design marked by orange stitching to match the khaki exterior color. This orange color is used to give this vehicle a unique identity similar to the red used in the GR SPORT series .

Although orange is not used in the dashboard or the central wheel, which light up depending on the driving mode chosen, it provides a warm and less aggressive touch than the GR incarnate. This color also recalls the hue of the road.

Driving the Toyota RAV4 adventure: four-wheel drive

While driving, we realized that these differences are also reflected in the driving. In terms of mechanics, the Adventure version hardly presents anything new. The final power figure rose slightly to 222 PS, coming from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine fitted with both direct and indirect injection and developing 177 PS on its own.

The majority of the energy propelling the Toyota RAV4 Adventure comes from two electric motors, one on the front axle and another independent on the rear axle. This is where the biggest design difference lies. The front and rear propellers are not physically connected. We recently tested this setup as Toyota coyly exported it to the Toyota Yaris Cross Adventure .

Now, although the Yaris Cross retains a 5 HP rear motor, the RAV 4 Adventure 's has been upgraded to 54 HP, allowing it to deliver 30% more torque to the axle. This difference can be observed by selecting the graph on the dashboard which displays real-time information on the traction of each wheel.

The e-CVT electronic management is responsible for ensuring an efficient distribution of energy between the engines and the axles, according to the needs of the moment. From the driver's seat, simply select the different driving modes (ECO, Normal and Sport) as well as the Trail button.

In this model, the Trail button is particularly important and, moreover, it is automatically deactivated when the vehicle is switched off. The power of the rear electric motor is remarkable and seems to exceed its advertised capabilities.

On tarmac and concrete road

After reviewing the tech specs and picking up the model, we decided not to rush things and wait until we get out of town to see how the car handles on the road. We drove a stretch combining city roads and highways, where the model offered the same level of comfort as other cars with the same name.

Later, we took Madrid's iconic road between Colmenar Viejo and Hoyo de Manzanares, which has a difficult central section with sharp curves, significant irregularities and low visibility. We recalled our tests with the Toyota RAV4 plug-in model on similar circuits, where it was important to hold back the excitement of the car's 306 HP. With this 222 HP version, we had to be careful, even if the Toyota RAV4 Adventure had nothing to envy to the other models with its speed of 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.

We were faced with a dilemma. On the one hand, we noticed a certain lightness and better stability. However, given its rustic design and its typical comfortable SUV driving position, it does not really encourage the practice of sporty driving. We would have preferred firmer suspension, more expressive steering and more precise handling for this.

On the other hand, it is fair to point out that this vehicle knew how to master the situation perfectly. Ride comfort was exceptional and we began to appreciate its strengths. Passing over concrete areas was barely perceptible.

Indeed, on this road, it is common for many motorists to drive in the center of the lane, to avoid passing over the concrete strips. But with this model, this risky temptation disappears and we are protected from this type of incident.

Approaching the turns, we felt a more pronounced feeling of lightness than when driving the plug-in hybrid, the latter being 190 kilograms heavier due to its batteries. Still, the SUV didn't lose its confidence and held steady where we wanted it to.

Trail mode activated

After this event, we covered several kilometers during the following days. We alternated between the highway and the city road, taking several breaks to take different types of roads. In urban environments, we noticed an improvement in the handling of the vehicle. It allowed us to ignore traffic by easily going over speed bumps and speed bumps, and we even took risks riding up sidewalks.

However, it was outside the city and the highway that this variant of the vehicle showed its full potential. Thanks to a fording capacity of up to 50 centimeters, the suspension and all-wheel drive are definitely worth the effort. The distribution of force between the axles can vary from 100:0 to 20:80, depending on the circumstances of the road.

This feature offers tangible benefits, depending on the state and road conditions. On good roads, considerable speeds of over 30 km/h can be reached with optimum interior insulation and active Trail mode.

These types of speeds offer less flexibility when encountering potholes or deep ruts at these speeds. In hilly sections, the inertia is felt, but with few side effects, while maintaining an adequate distance between the ground and the underbody.

When it is necessary to change gears or turn to avoid a pothole, the system's assistance in braking and steering can be seen.

In more rugged, steep or rocky areas, the traction management system moderates the energy between the axles, providing exceptional ride comfort. When steps or steep inclines have to be overcome, the electric drive provides a boost of power.

The ability to stay glued to the ground creates a superior feeling of control, reducing our dependence on unforeseen factors. For example, when we looked for sandy areas in the absence of rain, this ability allowed us to adapt to softer terrain in summer which penalizes grip.

In these situations, the electronic management intervenes to minimize the loss of grip. The RAV4 Adventure excels in these conditions thanks to its great pulling capacity, and on top of that, it does it efficiently.

Toyota RAV4 Adventure consumer test: don't forget its efficiency

The Adventure variant of the Toyota RAV4 has an approved average consumption of 5.9 l/100 km , which represents an increase of 0.2 l/100 km compared to the other variants. This increase is attributed to the use of high-performance electric hybrid technology, which allows freer use. For this, the Adventure variant is equipped with a lithium-ion battery with 1.59 kWh of energy capacity, which is very efficiently operated.

We have compiled some of the routes in this table:

On the positive side, when it is necessary to drive at more moderate speeds on certain sections of road, it is possible to reduce the dependence on public transport considerably by using an electric vehicle. The AWD-i (four-wheel-drive) system efficiently handles the increased power demand needed for all-wheel drive in the most demanding moments.

This not only limits energy consumption on these sections, but also achieves very significant fuel savings compared to combustion models. On the other hand, high-speed travel tends to lead to a greater increase in consumption.

After covering several miles on difficult roads, we then took to good roads and asphalt to complete the test. This transition contributed to reducing the average consumption, which finally remained at 5.7 l/100 km at the end of the test.

This final feature greatly strengthened the identity of the Toyota RAV4 Adventure variant. It's rare to find an SUV on the market that can fulfill all of these roles so successfully and that is equally appreciated by drivers.