That's got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard and sexest to boot.

Not sure how I fit into your demographics. I've been in a position to buy new cars since my early 20s and I'm not a farmer. I drive a car (probably a faster car then you've ever been in) when I'm not driving my 4runner, and I'm a man. My wife drives a TRD Pro 4runner as well, and she's a woman. Yes she off roads it too. Guess that's blows your idiotic stereotype out of the water.


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Pure absolute genius by Toyota. They know from experience by adding some TRD badges and a few dollars worth of branded trinkets people will stand in line to overpay for them.

I'm just talking midwest here. Never been to Louisiana myself. Speed on bro

A guy ran Camino del Diablo with us a few years ago in a RAV4, did fine. Lost a skid plate but nothing major. I want to say he drove it down from Alaska with his dog.

so why are people hating on a TRD RAV4? It’s a vehicle that actually does rally racing unlike the way outdated Sequoia they just made a Pro. I honestly would’ve gone with a Pro RAV4 before a Pro Sequoia debut.
There’s a guy down here that has a RAV4 with a 2” spaced lift, KOs and a winch on the rear trailer hitch. RAV4 is a great little fuel efficient all around use car.

The funny thing is you say men drive trucks but you have a 2019 SR5. That's a SUV. Using your own logic you must not be a man. Most people in the position to buy a new car buy what they want. They certainly don't follow some stupid stereotype. Also the fact you said most people that buy new vehicles are farmers is wrong. Maybe in your little hillbilly area but once you get out in the real world MANY people can buy a new vehicle. Even then there are plenty of people that live in the country that can afford a new vehicle and not be farmers.


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I’d drive one not so much for the badging but just because I like the way it looks

You are missing the point. Rav4 doesn't sell to people in my area that would use it blazing down gravel everyday.

Thei plan is likely to better compete with the Subaru line such as the Crosstrek

For what most people actually do in a 4Runner (including here) a RAV4 is a very practical choice. The image projection just isn't right. Not rugged and overlandy enough. They are excellent for regular old forest service road camping and day trips.

My wife has a 2012 RAV4 AWD. It's the last model with the swing out rear door with the tire on the back. They're handsome vehicles and extremely practical. It has a diff lock that you can engage below like 9mph or something too. I'd get rid of my 4Runner before that RAV4.

In my opinion the styling went way too minivan/vanilla with the 2013 generation change and now they're trying to overcorrect with the new ones. It looks like they took a Tacoma front clip and stuck it on an existing RAV. Very disproportionate.

I think one of their big challenges is attempting to get some of us on board to buy one as a second vehicle, without alienating their huge existing customer base. So they have to maintain a lot of the Rav's current appeal. That would be a challenge for any automaker. I give Toyota kudos for starting to move in this direction with the Rav4.

Although, I may not be in the market for one and my wife would never want one, I think it's a smart move for Toyota. As said before most people who go "offroad" just go down gravel roads up to camp or out exploring. Very few people take their vehicles over rocks or anywhere where true 4wd, massive ground clearance, lockers, etc. are needed. This Rav4 will fill a gap and attract people who would alternatively purchase the crosstrek or similar vehicles.

Short story: may not be my/your cup of tea but it'll probably sell well.

Agreed.

Lets be real here for the majority of people out there this version of the RAV4 ticks all the boxes. It has more off road capability than the majority need with the added benefit of superior technology, efficiency and ride quality.

Look you can even take it to the places all the Insta-landers love to go (Including myself):




PS: I'd love to take one of these things down some of the technical trails we like to do. I bet it wouldnt do half bad minus some bumper and side cladding damage

"but you have a 2019 SR5. That's a SUV. "

You can call it an SUV if you like, but it's not built like a modern unibody SUV. The 4Runner is a body on frame truck. It's not a pick up truck, but it's built on a frame exactly like a pick up truck.

A lot of folks say it rides like a truck too, and they buy a front wheel drive or AWD SUV instead.
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The RAV4 is nice enough, but it doesn't have the interior room I require or the towing capacity. And it probably won't handle the deep, soft sand at Cape Hatteras.