Why does a functional, compact SUV get a GR badge? After all, the two letters standing for “Gazoo Racing” should actually only get established sports cars. Let’s try it – a driving report.
You have to be careful with Toyota when you come across the abbreviation “GR” in the product price lists, which stands for Gazoo Racing. Because there are offers like real rally cars called GR Yaris or milder sports variants with the designation GR86 listening. And the sharp Toyota GR Supra can also be meant. And when a RAV4 GR Sport (from 57,690 euros) suddenly pushes between all these athletes, one is surprised.
Not that the SUV lacks GR-ready performance. The hybrid version with obligatory all-wheel drive has a system output of 163 kW/222 hp, the plug-in hybrid, which is exactly 10,300 euros more expensive, rolls around the corner with 225 kW/306 hp. Nothing has changed in terms of power – it was there before with the multi-engine RAV4. The “GR Sport” trim level, on the other hand, is new.
This means that dampers that are tuned to be a little tighter are making their way into the multifunction car, and 19-inch aluminum wheels with a black finish ensure the correspondingly sporty appearance. In general, the GR Sport looks wiry with a specially designed bumper in a honeycomb design. In addition, there is an underbody protection at the front painted in a gray metallic tone – an element painted in the same color adorns the rear bumper.
It remains to be seen whether the RAV4 as GR Sport really wedges around corners rougher – on asphalt with good grip. On the snowy roads of northern Sweden, where the first test laps are shot with the refreshed RAV4, you can be happy if the traction is just enough for reasonably quick progress. The spiked tires don’t exactly make it smoother to drive.
However, the tracks here are alternately covered with wavy ice remnants and uneven layers of snow, which constantly stimulate the structure of the body. However, the GR Sport is by no means noticeable as an unpleasantly harsh chunk, which can only make things better on cleared roads. The RAV4 is not a real GR, the basic design remains commod.
Especially since there are no innovations at all in terms of the drive. And it also stays with the so-called power-split system – this means that interruptions in traction are completely excluded. On the other hand, the speed remains high under full load, you just have to get used to it. And of course, the Japanese makes a confident impression, is not only nimble, but even moderately powerful when the ground gives the appropriate grip for a moment. And that even applies to the weaker variant without an externally chargeable battery.
The candidate with the 306 full-grown horses sprints even more vehemently, but above all can be driven quite far electrically. Thanks to the 18 kWh battery, Toyota states 75 kilometers according to WLTP. This even makes the PHEV quite usable in practice, provided there are appropriate charging options in your personal environment. In addition, the two electric motors (134 kW/182 hp at the front and 40 kW/54 hp at the rear) pack quite a punch, so that the all-wheel drive vehicle does not become a traffic obstacle even without an active petrol engine.
The interior designers have also tackled the infotainment – now new: the instrument cluster without mechanical displays. Toyota offers a variety of options for personal configuration of the display surface. You can now either have classic scales reproduced or take a look at the purely digital form of administration. There has to be so much gimmick. It’s also nice that the central touchscreen has grown from 9 to 10.5 inches, as displays have recently become a popular currency in automobiles.
However, the classic virtues are still in the running. This also includes the practical use. It doesn’t hide the fact that the RAV4 is still a spacious touring car. Even in the second row, passengers will find plenty of legroom to be able to cover long distances without stress. Plenty of luggage can also be taken along – the data sheet mentions a trunk volume of up to 1604 liters.
Incidentally, the prices for the hybrid editions may sound ambitious, but it must not be forgotten that the lower middle class is really packed with goodies. These include solid positions such as 360-degree camera, keyless locking system, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, sound system including nine loudspeaker boxes and cruise control with adaptive control.
The full arsenal of assistants, from the autonomous emergency braking function to active steering correction and lane departure control, is on board anyway. If you think you can do without the GR sports badge, you can get the RAV4 from 43,790 euros.
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport – technical data
