2009 Toyota RAV4

firehouse46

When will they roll out? I like to buy end of year 2008 Rav 4s when the new 2009's are getting on the lots. Prices tend to be a bit better on year of end deals.

Let me know.

Thanks!

mikelevine64

New 2009 RAV4 in North American(US/Canada)
New Front Grille, Front Bumper, Headlamp/ fog light tail light re-design
new rear bumper protector re-design
Antenna on roof
Outside mirror with turn signal built-in
2.4L to 2.5L Engine (3.5L V6 no change)
Sport and Limited with back up camera, monitor in mirror (like 2009 tacoma)
All models with hard spare tire cover
Limited with push button start
Limited with XM Satellite Antenna prewire

Will see it approx Sept 2008

topgun7

Any change to the interior plastic, center console etc? I heard one of the complaint is the interior not up to par with a CRV.. What about blue tooth?

steveinpa

I thought the spare was moving off the back and under the car. Hard Spare tire cover suggests it will still be on the back?

ckdvyc

Are they putting a Navigation system in there??

I thought I'd heard that.

bronxjoe

Mike,

This is really helpful, I am holding off on leasing a RAV-4 to see what changes there are on the 2009s (and leasing a new year's model is sometimes cheaper because the residuals are higher). Can I ask how reliable your information is?

There have been other reports, as you may have seen, that note the outside spare will be gone. Are these all the changes you know of, or might there be more?

thanks

10sne1

The spare is coming off the back on 1 model of the 2009 RAV4. It will be a sport model with awd and a V6 with run-flat tires. Should be a cool look!

nimimi

Toyota Announces Prices For 2009 RAV4 SUV
Related Media

08/05/2008
August 5, 2008 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2009 RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Equipped with numerous enhancements for 2009, the average MSRP for the RAV4 will increase by $224, or 0.9 percent. The 2009 RAV4 will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in early September.

The 2009 RAV4 is offered in three distinct grades – Base, performance-oriented Sport and top-of-the-line Limited – and with a choice between an all-new four-cylinder and powerful V6 engines with either front-wheel drive or electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive.

The base MSRP for the 2009 RAV4 ranges from $21,500 for the Base grade front-wheel-drive with a four-cylinder engine to $27,810 for the Limited grade four-wheel-drive with a V6 engine. Prices for all Base grade models remain unchanged from 2008, reflecting RAV4's excellent value.

All models will also offer Extra Value Packages containing many of RAV4's most popular stand alone option features at substantial savings. Savings on Extra Value Packages for all three grades range from $570 on Base, $1,000 on the Sport, and $2,000 on Limited.

For 2009, RAV4 adds an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is more powerful and more fuel efficient than the previous 2.4-liter engine. In addition, all RAV4 models feature numerous interior upgrades and a stylish new Sport Appearance Package is available for the 4WD V6 model.

All RAV4 models provide enhanced safety and security with the addition of standard front seat active headrests and an engine immobilizer. Comfort, convenience and user technology are also significantly enhanced in 2009 RAV4 models. The Limited grade adds a new standard Smart Entry system that allows the driver to open the vehicle by simply carrying the key fob and grasping the door handle. The Sport and Limited grades offer an available integrated backup camera linked to an electrochromic mirror. Integrated XM satellite radio is a new feature for 2009, and the Sport and Limited grades offer a new low-cost navigation system. All RAV4 models have new standard seat fabric, and the Sport grade exclusively offers a new, unique Charcoal leather option.

Externally, the design of the 2009 RAV4 is freshened with new front and rear styling with a revised grille and front bumper, improved fog light trims and redesigned tail lamps. All models, except the 4WD V6 with the new Sport Appearance Package, include a redesigned rear step bumper with a black protector molding while the Sport Appearance Package receives a clear rear bumper protector. The Base and Limited grades feature new 17-inch alloy wheel designs, and the Limited also adds overfenders, new color-keyed power heated turn signal side mirrors and a unique grille design with chrome accents. The Sport grade adds a unique redesigned rear spoiler.

The Sport Appearance Package available for the 4WD V6 RAV4 model includes an exclusive look with a redesigned rear door featuring chrome accents and no spare tire. The package equips the RAV4 with run-flat tires. Other external cues include color-keyed power heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a stainless steel exhaust tip, unique badging, and the choice of an exclusive exterior color, Elusive Blue Metallic. Inside, the Sport Appearance Package adds a chrome accented shift knob with leather insert, chrome interior door handles, parking brake and vent trim, unique sport grade doorsills and available sport floor mats.

The Sport Appearance Package includes an AM/FM six-disc CD changer with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability and integrated XM® Satellite Radio with a one-year extended complementary service subscription.

The RAV4's standard all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is a low-friction design optimized for performance and fuel efficiency. It produces 179 horsepower at 6,000 RPM, along with 172 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 RPM (versus 166 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of peak torque of the previous 2.4-liter engine). The 2.5-liter engine employs Dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), which controls timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts (compared to the intake-only previous 2.4-liter engine).

The redesigned four-cylinder engine is partnered with a new four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that is more compact, lightweight and efficient than the previous four-speed transmission. The new transmission is not only smoother in operation than the previous one, but more responsive as well. Fuel efficiency is excellent for its class and improved over the 2008 model with EPA mpg estimates of 22 city/28 highway on 4x2 models and 21 city/27 highway on 4x4 models.

The available 3.5-liter V6 is the powerhouse of its segment, generating a class-leading 269 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 246 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 RPM. The V6 is also equipped with dual independent VVT-i to maximize performance and efficiency while reducing emissions. Equipped exclusively with a five-speed automatic transmission, the V6 RAV4 models offer greater fuel efficiency compared to less powerful competitors. The V6 RAV4 can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in under seven seconds, yet has estimated EPA fuel economy mpg ratings of 19 city/27 highway for 4x2 models and 19 city/26 highway for 4x4 models. All RAV4 models meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II) certification.

Grade Doors
Body Style
Trans
2008 MSRP
MSRP Changes
2009 MSRP
MSRP % Increase

RAV4 Base L4 4x2 4
SUV
4AT $ 21,500
$ - $ 21,500
0.0%

RAV4 Sport L4 4x2 4
SUV
4AT $ 23,075
$ 125
$ 23,200
0.5%

RAV4 LTD L4 4x2 4
SUV
4AT $ 23,755
$ 735
$ 24,490
3.1%

RAV4 Base L4 4x4 4
SUV
4AT $ 22,900
$ - $ 22,900
0.0%

RAV4 Sport L4 4x4 4
SUV
4AT $ 24,475
$ 125
$ 24,600
0.5%

RAV4 LTD L4 4x4 4
SUV
4AT $ 25,155
$ 725
$ 25,880
2.9%

RAV4 Base V6 4x2 4
SUV
5AT $ 23,535
$ - $ 23,535
0.0%

RAV4 Sport V6 4x2 4
SUV
5AT $ 24,990
$ 140
$ 25,130
0.6%

RAV4 LTD V6 4x2 4
SUV
5AT $ 25,670
$ 740
$ 26,410
2.9%

RAV4 Base V6 4x4 4
SUV
5AT $ 24,935
$ - $ 24,935
0.0%

RAV4 Sport V6 4x4 4
SUV
5AT $ 26,390
$ 140
$ 26,530
0.5%

RAV4 LTD V6 4x4 4
SUV
5AT $ 27,070
$ 740
$ 27,810
2.7%

nimimi

There are also a few pictures of the 2009 models (one showing the rear of the Sport with no spare tire).

cubssoxs

link to pics http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/08/2009-toyota-rav-4-with-new-179hp-25l.html

blufz1

Toyota's mistake is not using a modern lift gate in lieu of that 15 year old swinging gate rear access. Getting hammered by the CRV,which doesn't even have a V6 option!

kdhspyder

Wrong conclusion...

They are not being hammered at all. They are shipping exactly what they want to ship due to currency issues. If that means that they ship less in 2008 because the US$ is in the pits well then that's less money lost.

Now when the Ontario plant opens and begins pumping out 200,000+ units and there's no currency problems we'll see if the CR-V can keep up.

173K units shipped last year vs 150K the year before. That's a 13% increase on top of a 116% increase the year before. Next year should be an additional increase. It's a nice position to be in.

josephy

Anyone have any idea of the color options for the 2009?

cambridgemgr

With the new 2009 Rav4 model supposing to not have the wheel on the rear door, do you know if the rear window will now be able to open???

rich505

I thought I read here in the RAV4 forum that only the top of the line V6 model with run-flat tires (no spare tire) has the bare rear?

rich505

Yes, just above in the 2009 model year description post on this page says:

"The Sport Appearance Package available for the 4WD V6 RAV4 model includes an exclusive look with a redesigned rear door featuring chrome accents and no spare tire. The package equips the RAV4 with run-flat tires."

So you gotta buy the 4WD V6 Sport Appearance Package.

wwest

It might be less expensive, and a way to AVOID the terrible runflats, to simply order the door, and have it installed/painted to match.

Do you suppose the "spareless" door can be "back-fitted" to earlier model years..??

nimimi

Of course, that would mean that you have to find a convenient place to store the spare tire - in the passenger seat, perhaps?

wstevec

FYI: I have had run flats for 3 years on my BMW 325, never had a flat, so they have been fine for me and I would not hesitate to get them on the RAV 4. Nevertheless, I do keep a small, 5 lb. air tank in my trunk. Just in case. When they first came out they told people you could travel 150 miles on the tires when they were flat, but now its down to 50 miles. Given the choice, I would prefer a spare, but with the cost of tires and wheels as well as the added space, run flats are most likely the wave of the future.

wwest

For almost twenty years and possibly a million miles the only use I have had for a spare tire is to use as one of two "new" ones. I can't even remember the last time I had to put the spare on one of our passenger vehicles.

One of the rear duals on our MH in NM back about 5 years ago.

nimimi

I guess I'm too conservative: even though I haven't had a flat in years, I prefer to carry a spare; even though I've never been in a side collision, I prefer to have side air bags; even though I haven't died yet, I prefer to have life insurance.

sinistermind

Toyota's website is updated with 09 Rav4. Looks great.

bullfrog34

In looking at the option packages on the Toyota website, it looks like if you get the optional Nav system, you miss out on the JBL stereo and the Bluetooth cell phone integration. It seems like the kind of customer who wants Nav, also wants Bluetooth (and possibly the upgraded stereo as well). Can anyone confirm/deny that these are incompatible options?

sinistermind

The configurator on Toyota's website is wrong. They have the wrong 4cyl engine listed and the backup camera isn't available. Can't even be chosen for Limited, eventhough the brochure says otherwise. :confuse:

f1guy

That's correct. I discovered this when researching the '09 Matrix. For some reason they can't fit the JBL/Bluetooth and the Navi in the same car. Weird. Fortunately I'm not a big fan of complicated [read, pontentially expensive] Nav systems. I'll take the big stereo.

docrw

What is a "low cost navigation system"?

Does that mean it is a downgraded system compared to the one offered on the Camry, Highlander or Avalon? What is the difference?