Toyota is really trying to rewrite the RAV4's lineage with the all-new model. The RAV4 even comes with an off-roading oriented Adventure grade that comes with bespoke components to make it better at tackling rough terrain. Apparently, Toyota didn't think that was rugged enough or thought that there was a market for something a little more robust, so it introduced the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road at the Chicago Auto Show.
From the outside, it's clear the new RAV4 TRD Off-Road looks the part. The new trim is based on the Adventure trim, so here's a quick refresher on what separates that trim from the others. The Adventure trim gets unique 19-inch wheels, Adventure grade roof rails, Dynamic Torque Vectoring all-wheel drive, an all-wheel drive integrated management system with a multi-information display, multi-terrain select, Downhill Assist Control, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance (other RAV4s have 8.4 inches).
On top of the Adventure's features, the TRD Off-Road adds Falken Wildpeak A/T tires, unique 18-inch wheels, large fender flares, a revised front bumper, and a new grille. Suspension wise, the TRD Off-Road features twin-tube dampers and TRD-tuned springs that were inspired by the same setup found in Toyota's rally-going RAV4 from 2016.
Toyota also went to work on the TRD Off-Road's interior, giving it faux-leather upholstery, red interior trim, red contrast stitching, and TRD logos that are embroidered in the headrests. It's not a large departure from the Adventure trim, but just enough to where there's a noticeable difference.
The TRD Off-Road will be offered with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission is the only available gearbox for the vehicle. The trim will come with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which is standard on RAV4 models. The suite brings a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear cross-traffic braking are also standard on the TRD Off-Road.
While not as off-road oriented as its larger brothers, like the 4Runner, Tacoma, or Land Cruiser, the new TRD Off-Road trim is an interesting vehicle in the market. As far as similarly sized vehicles with a similar amount of off-roading goodies, there aren't a lot that are available. There's the Jeep Cherokee and the Subaru Outback. Others in the same segment, like the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5, just don't have the same off-roading goodies to compete with the new TRD Off-Road.
Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but there's no doubt in our minds that it will be more expensive than the Adventure that starts at $33,995. The new TRD Off-Road will go on sale later this year.
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