- Should You Take the 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Off Road?
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- Test drive: The 2021 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road likes to get a little dirty
- Rugged version of the compact SUV is ready for some rough stuff
- Test drive: 2021 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road
- Кроссовер Toyota RAV4 обзавелся версией TRD Off-Road
Should You Take the 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Off Road?
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road has the off-road chops to hit the open trail, but it’s not quite ready to blaze any new ones.
takes Toyota’s best SUV and outfits it for the trail. It fits the bill for casual off-road adventurers, but anyone looking for a serious trail warrior should look elsewhere .
A good off-road vehicle is a passport to adventure. When you’re able to leave paved roads behind, the world opens up—but which vehicles are true off-road champions and which just look like they’re ready for the trail?
We’re here to break down the off-road specs of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road. We’ll look at the key factors, like ground clearance and torque, that go into making a true off-road vehicle, and we’ll also consider some alternatives you should consider if you’re thinking of buying this SUV.
Yes —if the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, we’ve got the confirmation for you right here. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road won’t be a serious enthusiast’s first choice, but it’s got decent off-road chops at a much more affordable price point than most hardcore off-road vehicles.
crossover with the rugged aesthetics with a well-tuned suspension designed to soak up bumps on uneven terrain.
What else makes the 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road a good for your trail-chasing adventures? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key specs.
When it comes to off-roading, ground clearance is one of the most important numbers to keep your eye on. The 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road’s minimum ground clearance is 8.6 inches , making it a passable off-road vehicle.
Ideally, you’d want to see a ground clearance number between 8.8 and 10.8 inches for ideal off-roading ability. The higher your vehicle’s minimum clearance, the freer you are to tackle a range of terrains without worrying about damaging the car’s undercarriage. Compare the 2021
9.7 inches of minimum clearance, and it’s clear the RAV4 is a step behind its competition—but it’s still capable of tackling the trail.
The best off-road vehicles pack a big punch with low-end torque —that is, high amounts of torque at lower rpm. Because turning power matters more than speed when you’re off road, low-end torque is key to an ideal on-trail experience.
The 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road’s 2.5-liter inline-four engine gets a maximum torque of 184 @ 5000 RPM . That’s not a lot of power, and you won’t be able to access it all at a lower rpm, making it less than ideal for more intense types of off-roading.
Here’s where the 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road shines: a sturdy set of Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 01A tires . If that meant nothing to you, here’s what you need to know.
, or A/T tires, are designed for drivers who want to mix off-roading with everyday driving on paved highways and roads. They won’t last as long as standard all-season tires—increasing the cost of ownership for this RAV4—but a more open, aggressive tread pattern offers better traction that will keep you steady on the road.
All-wheel drive is a must for off-roading, and it’s standard on the 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road . Most of the RAV4’s trims come with front-wheel drive, which isn’t ideal for trail driving, but the Adventure and TRD Off Road trims keep it real with standard four-wheel drive.
Here’s another place where the 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road reveals its highway-based foundations, with approach and departure angles of 19 and 21 degrees respectively . That’s enough to handle some gentle rises and dips, but it won’t stand up to serious rock crawling.
The 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road earns an R rating: though its name suggests that it’s built for off-roading, it’s better seen as the trail-ready version of a crossover built for paved roads . You’ll be fine on most dirt roads and fairly level trails, but if you’re looking for a dedicated off-roading vehicle, look elsewhere .
Make safe driving pay
If you’re looking for a fantastic crossover with a little more confidence off the beaten path, the 2021 RAV4 TRD Off Road is exactly what you need. But for some drivers, this capable little SUV won’t cut it. Maybe you’re not prepared to pay the $37,295 starting price, or maybe you’re just looking for something with a little more guts when it comes to rough terrain and undiscovered country.
Here are the best alternatives to the 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road—no matter what your priorities are.
The 2022 Forester Wilderness sits higher than the RAV4, offers better low-end torque, and—best of all—comes in at a starting price that’s $3,000 cheaper.
This burly hybrid won’t come cheap, and its low ground clearance makes it less than ideal for serious off-roading, but if you’re looking for an SUV that can get you out in nature without killing the planet, it’s a great choice.
Four-wheel drive, an intercooled turbo V6 engine, and approach and departure angles of 43.2 and 37 degrees, respectively, make this super-rugged version of the reborn Bronco your ideal trail chariot.
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One major drawback of owning an off-road capable vehicle is that they’re often more expensive—both to buy and to insure. Off-roading poses a higher risk to your vehicle, even if you’ve got the best specs and the coolest mods, so insurance companies will charge you a higher rate.
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R.E. Fulton · Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
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Test drive: The 2021 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road likes to get a little dirty
Rugged version of the compact SUV is ready for some rough stuff
Test drive: 2021 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road
The 2021 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road features special equipment that makes it better on unpaved surfaces, says Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu.
Toyota is looking to conquer the America with the Rav4. Every single road in it.
The compact SUV is already the best-selling vehicle that’s not a pickup truck and the hybrid model is the country’s most popular hybrid. The Rav4 Prime plug-in hybrid is also one of the fastest-selling cars in the U.S. and on its way to becoming the top seller in its segment. But while its clean machines are doing well, Toyota is also playing dirty to find new customers.
The 2021 Rav4 TRD Off Road is a more rugged version of the model that’s better equipped to head into the great outdoors. It’s not a serious four-wheeler like the 4Runner SUV, but toughened up to go off-piste now and then.
The all-wheel-drive trim adds a half inch of ground clearance for 8.6 inches, some underbody protection, 18-inch wheels with chunky all-terrain tires that can also handle deep snow and a retuned and more durable suspension with red springs to let the folks at the middle-school drop off line know you’re the cool parent.
All weather rubber floor mats protect the cabin and cargo area, its taller roof rails can handle more types of racks and it comes with a moonroof and power liftgate. A 360-degree camera good for both parallel parking and squeezing between trees is optional.
It’s essentially a more extreme version of the Rav4 Adventure with a few additional features and uses the Rav4’s standard 203 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. Hill descent control and a traction management system with settings for mud, sand and rock are included. The maximum tow rating is 3,500 pounds, which is enough for a small camper or a trailer with a personal watercraft or small boat.
A lot of automakers are heading in this direction with their crossover SUVs as they try to capture the outdoor lifestyle crowd. The Subaru Outback Wilderness, GMC Acadia AT4 and Ford Explorer Timberline are all variations on the theme.
The Rav4 TRD Off Road is still excellent on pavement, with just a touch more noise and bounce in its step due to the tire change and a drop in fuel economy from 30 mpg combined to 28 mpg.
It’s noticeably improved in its namesake element, however, where the tires and suspension provide a much better ride on gravel and can take a solid hit from a rut or bump. This ability also comes in handy with potholes, so you can likely expect the Rav4 TRD Off Road to be a hit in urban settings until that new infrastructure program kicks in.
The Rav4 TRD Off Road is ultimately best treated like a hybrid bicycle or adventure motorcycle. It’s not quite as capable as something like the Ford Bronco Sport or Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and still mostly geared toward the road, but won’t break the second you try to drive off of it.
Just don’t try to go too far.
2021 Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road
Type: 5-passenger, 4-door, all-wheel-drive SUV
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Gary Gastelu is Fox News Digital’s automotive editor.
Кроссовер Toyota RAV4 обзавелся версией TRD Off-Road
Игорь Владимирский
Заждались нового Рафика? Кроссовер пятого поколения хоть и дебютировал еще в марте прошлого года, но даже на американский рынок вышел только два месяца назад. А теперь, после успешного старта, Toyota взялась за расширение гаммы модификаций: на автосалоне в Чикаго представлен RAV4 TRD Off-Road. Это первый опыт работы подразделения Toyota Racing Development с моделью RAV4.
Как понятно из названия, новая версия подразумевает улучшенные способности вне асфальта. За основу взяли «внедорожное» исполнение Adventure с заявленным дорожным просветом 218 мм, усиленными бамперами, увеличенными накладками на колесных арках и массивными рейлингами на крыше. Главное отличие — в подвеске.
На версии TRD Off-Road установлены новые двухтрубные амортизаторы с дополнительными демпферами отбоя, которые повышают энергоемкость и позволяют увереннее дубасить по бездорожью. Также появились новые усиленные пружины, для пущего эффекта окрашенные красным. Оригинальные 18-дюймовые колеса — с шинами Falken Wildpeak A/T. А салон украшен логотипами TRD и красными акцентами.
Особо внедорожный Рафик оснащен стандартным атмосферником 2.5 (206 л.с.), восьмиступенчатым «автоматом» и трансмиссией Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD с индивидуальными муфтами подключения задних колес (такая система положена самым дорогим версиям кроссовера).
И снова покупателям придется запастись терпением. В США версию TRD Off-Road начнут продавать осенью. У нас, в России, базовый RAV4 нового поколения должен появиться летом, а вероятность последующего выхода внедорожной модификации невелика.