Toyota RAV4 2017 pricing and spec confirmed

Toyota Australia’s popular mid-size SUV, the RAV4, now comes with a boost in safety and convenience features – and a price rise of up to $2350 – in its final iteration before welcoming an all-new replacement in the first half of next year.

The updated RAV4 range opens its upgrades with the entry-level GX front-wheel drive 107kW/187Nm 2.0-litre petrol manual now coming with a comprehensive list of safety equipment.

It adds adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning, automatic headlights, blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert as standard.

Toyota said the extra gear is valued at $3800.

Comfort features now standard include satellite navigation, digital radio and a 4.2-inch screen for the multimedia system.

The GX will cost $29,450 plus on-road costs, a rise of $900 on the outgoing version without the added equipment.

Toyota said the extra gear is valued at $3800, representing a $2900 saving for buyers.

Opting for the automatic transmission model will cost $31,490, also up $900, while the more upmarket GLX automatic front-wheel drive petrol version – with all the new features – increases by $100 to $35,490.

RAV4 sales for the first nine months of the year are up 4.5 per cent.

Toyota Australia has added an option to the GXL front-drive variant, offering a 10-way electrically-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and leather cabin trim for $2500 extra.

Moving up in the power stakes, the 132kW/233Nm 2.5-litre petrol-engined RAV4 with the standard six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive will now cost $34,490 for the GX – a rise of $840 – and $38,490 for the GXL – up $40.

The biggest price rises in the new safety-rich versions are those fitted with the diesel engine. The GX with the 110kW/340Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is now $39,060 for the manual and $41,100 for the automatic – both up $2350. The GXL automatic lifts $1575 to $45,125.

The only RAV4 that does not raise its price is the flagship Cruiser. In fact the petrol version gets a price fall of $940 to $44,490 while the diesel remains the same at $50,500.

Prior to the update, Cruiser-spec versions had all the safety and convenience items that are now standard on the GL and GLX.

RAV4 sales for the first nine months of the year are up 4.5 per cent on the same period last year, with 15,604 sales to the end of September.

It is the third most-popular model in the sub-$60,000 medium SUV segment behind the Mazda CX-5 (19,187) and Hyundai Tucson (18,981).

Does the boost in safety equipment change your mind on Toyota’s RAV4? Tell us what you think in the comments below.