We are honoured to be among the first in Singapore to experience the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4. Join us as we share our impressions of Toyota’s best-selling model globally and discover whether the latest iteration has what it takes to continue the remarkable success story of this iconic SUV.
Review: The new Toyota RAV4 (6th Generation)
The Toyota RAV4 is currently priced at Borneo Motors at SGD 248,888 (Subject to COE Fluctuations).
YouTube Video Summary
RAV4 stands for “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive”, and we are now looking at the sixth generation of Toyota’s immensely successful SUV. Today, the RAV4 is Toyota’s best-selling model globally, with more than one million units sold annually. From Australia to the United States, it is a vehicle that can be spotted in almost every corner of the world, with owners appreciating its versatility while fleet operators continue to swear by its reliability.
The fifth-generation RAV4 is a familiar sight at most reputable rental companies and, interestingly, it remains Stanley’s preferred choice whenever he travels to Australia. Having clocked more than 5,000 kilometres behind the wheel of the outgoing model, we were particularly interested to see whether the new generation could live up to the standards set by its predecessor.
Initial Impression
When the vehicle was first presented to us, we immediately noticed Toyota’s latest design language. The new RAV4 adopts the brand’s now-familiar Hammerhead front fascia, complemented by chiselled door panels and pronounced rear fenders.
The result is a vehicle that projects a more masculine and purposeful presence than the model it replaces.
The vehicle is large, with a wheelbase of 2.69m. Although the overall dimensions remain largely unchanged, the new RAV4 is 5mm shorter and 15mm taller than its predecessor. Interestingly, despite the marginal dimensional differences, the revised styling makes the vehicle appear larger and wider than before.
External design and space
The specifications for RAV4 imported into Singapore is front wheel drive only with a hybrid engine. While we appreciate the specification offered locally, we cannot help but wonder why Borneo Motors has chosen not to bring in variants such as the All Wheel Drive Woodland or the performance oriented GR Sport. These alternatives would provide buyers with greater choice and allow them to select a styling package that better reflects their individual preferences.
The RAV4 is fitted with 20 inch alloy wheel, which complements the vehicle’s aggressive stance.
Overall, we find the exterior design handsome and contemporary, representing a welcome evolution of the RAV4 formula.
Interior and Creature Comfort
Step inside and you are greeted by Toyota’s latest interior design philosophy. The cabin features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a head-up display, creating a modern and technologically advanced driving environment. While the layout remains familiar to existing RAV4 owners, the overall execution feels more contemporary and refined.
One of the most significant upgrades for the Singapore market is the inclusion of the head-up display. This feature makes a meaningful difference in day-to-day driving by projecting key information such as speed and navigation instructions directly into the driver’s line of sight. Among the various head-up display systems we have experienced, Toyota’s implementation stands out as one of the most intuitive and user-friendly. During the day, the display remains bright and easy to read even under harsh sunlight. At night, it provides excellent visibility without becoming distracting or overly bright.
Complementing the new dashboard is a 10.5-inch touchscreen multimedia system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While such features have become commonplace in today’s market, we appreciate Toyota’s focus on usability. The interface is responsive, intuitive and easy to navigate.
Equally commendable is Toyota’s decision to retain physical controls for the climate system. While many manufacturers continue to migrate essential functions into touchscreens, we find dedicated buttons and knobs for temperature adjustments significantly easier and safer to use while driving. And as is usual for Toyota cars, the air conditioning is top notch, and fully capable of cooling the large interior in double quick time.
In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, the ventilated seats quickly became one of our favourite features. Only the front seats are cooled ventilated seats do make a noticeable difference during daily commutes and long drives alike. While the rear seats only have heating, not a useful feature for the Singapore weather, but it does feature two air-conditioning vents to keep the passengers cool. There are also a number of USB ports littered around the car, with the front two being 45W while others are 15W USB-C.
Other creature comforts include dual wireless charging pads, as well as heated and ventilated front seats. The wireless charging work flawlessly, though it would be even better if Toyota had included cooling and an on/off switch while phones sit on the pad.
Interior Space
Interior space is good, with the driver seat fitted with memory and both front seats with power adjustment. Both front seats are also equipped with heating and cooling. Rear space is adequate, though the center tunnel raises the mid section a bit, that may be a comfort concern for a full sized adult for longer journeys.
Boot space is excellent. It measures 749 liters according to the soevifications. More space is available when the rear seats fold down in a 2/3, 1/3 or all down sections. And perhaps more importantly, the rear sill is level with the boot floor, making loading easier. The rear tail gate is motorised for for convenience.
Driving Dynamics and Safety Features
The new RAV4 continues to ride on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, but benefits from increased structural rigidity through reinforced frame joints and suspension mounting points. These enhancements contribute to improved ride comfort and handling stability.
During our test drive, we noticed subtle but meaningful improvements over the previous generation. The vehicle feels slightly more composed over uneven road surfaces while maintaining the reassuring driving characteristics that have made the RAV4 so popular globally. Toyota has also introduced high-damping adhesive materials throughout the body structure to reduce micro-vibrations and suppress unwanted noise. Combined with an acoustic windscreen, these enhancements result in a noticeably quieter cabin environment for both driver and passengers.
Power comes from Toyota’s familiar 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, producing a combined 215 bhp and 221 Nm of torque. The RAV4 completes the century sprint in approximately 8.0 seconds, which is more than respectable for a hybrid SUV of this size. In our road tests, the hybrid engine provides sufficient power to enable quick and smooth overtaking at the critical 50-90kph range. Acceleration remains smooth at all times, with little signs of harshness. Running on only the battery is notably quiet and smooth, much similar to the bZ4X we tested earlier, but with perhaps even less road noise due to the special attention paid to the chassis and the noise reduction acoustic windscreen. And with the petrol engine on, it is does make its presence known, but remains very civil.
Fuel efficiency remains one of the vehicle’s strongest attributes. Combined with its 55-litre fuel tank, the RAV4 is capable of covering impressive distances between fuel stops, making it an ideal companion for both urban commuting and long-distance touring. We managed to get about 21km/l overall over the weekend use, better than the quoted 19.6km/l.
Safety has also been enhanced with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 suite. Compared to the previous generation, Toyota claims detection distances have increased by up to 1.7 times, while the horizontal viewing angle has expanded by approximately 1.15 times. In practical terms, this allows the vehicle to identify potential hazards earlier and with greater accuracy, helping to keep occupants safer on the road. In our use, we found this feature to be very useful, and in combination with the advanced cruise control is a feature which we enjoy very much.
Competitive Landscape
With a price tag of approximately SGD 250,000, the RAV4 enters a highly competitive segment where buyers are spoilt for choice.
The first obvious alternative is Toyota’s own Harrier Hybrid. Retailing at approximately SGD 257,888 at the time of writing, the Harrier offers a more premium interpretation of Toyota’s mid-sized SUV formula. Like the RAV4, it features a 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, but differentiates itself with a more luxurious cabin featuring leather-trimmed surfaces and additional soft-touch materials throughout.
While the Harrier certainly feels more upscale, buyers will need to decide whether its slightly older dashboard and infotainment system offset its premium ambience.
Another compelling contender is the Kia Sorento Hybrid SX. Priced at SGD 248,999, it is almost identical in cost to the RAV4. Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain producing 212 bhp and 366 Nm of torque. The Sorento’s biggest advantage is straightforward: it is a seven-seater. While the third row is best reserved for occasional use, it nevertheless provides additional flexibility that the RAV4 simply cannot match. The Kia also comes generously equipped with features such as Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera system, one notable feature absent from the RAV4. Does that make the Sorento the better buy? That ultimately depends on your priorities and driving preferences. We would strongly recommend test-driving both vehicles before making a decision.
Concluding Thoughts.
After spending an entire weekend with the sixth-generation RAV4, we came away thoroughly impressed. The car is well equipped for use as a daily driver, ferrying families for work, school and play. The interior is large and comfortable. The drive, while not as spirited as a sports car, is enjoyable and relaxing.
As an ownership proposition, the RAV4 remains incredibly appealing. It offers a compelling blend of practicality, efficiency, comfort and Toyota’s renowned reputation for reliability.
That said, two questions continue to puzzle us. Firstly, why is a 360-degree camera not included, especially at this price point when many competitors offer it as standard equipment? Secondly, why are variants such as the Woodland and GR Sport not available locally?
Neither issue is a dealbreaker, but addressing them would make an already excellent package even more compelling. Even so, the sixth-generation RAV4 continues to demonstrate why it remains Toyota’s best-selling vehicle globally. The formula has not changed dramatically, but Toyota has refined it in all the right areas. For many buyers, that may be exactly what they are looking for.
