Toyota’s RAV4 SUV is about to galvanize its position in the mid-size SUV market as the company introduced new technology and enhanced equipment in its popular SUV model.
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According to the press release by Toyota, the RAV4 SUV will become the company’s first vehicle in Australia equipped with Reverse Cross Traffic Alert^ for improved safety and driver convenience when backing out of a car space, as well as the first Toyota in the country to feature Lane Departure Alert^, which alerts the driver if he or she crosses the traffic lane.
Since November 2013, Toyota has included these advanced technologies to be part of the regular set up of the high-end RAV4 Cruiser.
In addition, every RAV4 will be fitted with a reversing camera, and all models in the 2014 RAV4 range will be equipped with multimedia audio units operated through a 6.1-inch full-colour display screen and switches on the steering-wheel hub, while exclusive Cruise variants will feature several new technologies, including a premium 11-speaker JBL sound system with DAB+ digital radio.
Another innovative addition to the Cruiser series is the Automatic High Beam^ system that dips the headlights at night to avoid blinding other drivers, as well as the addition of the Back Guide Monitor that processes steering input to predict the path of a reversing vehicle, displaying this information through guidelines on the rear-camera image.
These new additions have raised the price of the Cruiser by $1,800, while the increase in prices with other variants amounts to just $200.
According to Toyota Australia’s Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Tony Cramb, the new safety and convenience technologies for RAV4 Cruiser were being introduced at the earliest opportunity.
“RAV4 was launched as recently as February and has been well received in Australia with sales this year reaching 15,595 – an increase of 21.2 per cent over the same period last year,” he said.
“Toyota’s commitment to safety and to our customers drove us to bring these latest features to the market now, rather than waiting for a more typical upgrade timing.”
RAV4 is covered by the capped-price Toyota Service Advantage at a maximum of $170 per service.
