The RAV4, a hugely popular crossover from Toyota, has undergone a complete makeover for 2019. The most prominent changes include a beautiful new look, a new, more potent engine, and a plethora of new tech options, including, of course, a heated steering wheel.
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Power & Fuel Economy
The new engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder unit that cranks out an impressive 203 horsepower (27 hp more than the outgoing model). The fact that the new engine is both more powerful and fuel-efficient than the old one truly impressed us. The 2017 RAV4 easily ranks among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its segment with an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The new powertrain, which incorporates a brand-new, lighter 8-speed automatic gearbox, is far lighter than the previous one, which is the main factor behind these amazing numbers.
Driving Dynamics
The 2019 RAV4 is one of the most well-balanced and adaptable crossovers on the market right now, despite its lack of mind-blowing driving qualities. The RAV4 performs well in terms of acceleration and responsiveness. The new transmission effectively makes up for the engine’s somewhat limited low-end torque. Around town, the RAV4 seems nimble, and passing and merging go relatively smoothly. Additionally, the new RAV4 drives brilliantly on the highway. It tracks nicely and provides good wind resistance.
Ride Quality & Handling
The RAV4 handles with a sense of equilibrium and coordination. When turning, there isn’t much body roll, and mid-corner bumps are well-handled. If you choose the “Limited” or “Adventure” pack, an all-wheel drive system with torque-vectoring provides more traction and security in icy or rainy situations. The RAV4 makes for a comfortable long-distance highway cruising vehicle. The back seats are luxurious and supportive, and the cabin does a good job of blocking out road noise. The ride comfort is also great. The suspension has been configured to offer the best possible balance between control and softness, resulting in a smooth overall ride with excellent moderate impact absorption.
Interior
A well-designed cabin is another characteristic of the new RAV4. The controls are intuitively placed and simple to use. Space, accessibility, and driving position The RAV4 succeeds in every area with flying colors. Furthermore, whether the back seats are folded or not, it has some of the best cargo space in the market. The space behind the back seats can hold 37.5 cubic feet, and when they’re folded down, it can hold a roomy 69.8 cubic feet. The cabin is also strewn with helpful nooks and small-capacity shelves for storing items of different sizes.
Trim Levels
The 2019 RAV4 is offered in five trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, and Adventure, which are the highest trim levels. Although the “Limited” bundle has the most features, in our opinion, it is not the greatest deal. In our opinion, the mid-range ‘XLE’ model is the one to choose.
The XLE package adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic LED headlights, push-button start, heated mirrors, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control4, additional USB ports, and a sunroof in addition to the low-profile roof rails, rear privacy glass, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 that are included as standard equipment on the base trim.
In addition to the Toyota Sense 2.0, you also receive additional driving aids, such as a blind spot monitoring system with rear-cross traffic alert. The top-tier “Limited” package’s improvements are also available for the XLE trim. These include a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a heated steering wheel.
Has the steering wheel in the Toyota Camry been heated?
Front heated seats are an option for the LE and SE. The XLE, XSE, and their V6 equivalents all come standard with heated seats. With its performance-focused design, the TRD trim lacks a heated seat option.
Surprisingly, every model level of the Camryexcept the TRDoffers a heated steering wheel option. This is excellent for removing the chill from the steering wheel in the morning or allowing you to forgo the driving gloves on chilly days.
The Camry’s heated seats are frequently the finest you can buy in a car in its class, but ventilated seats are also an option on the XLE and XSE trims and their V6 equivalents. By forcing cool air through the seat, this feature dissipates heat. This is excellent for cooling down a space inside on sweltering summer days.
Has the steering wheel on the 2020 Toyota Camry been heated?
The Cold-Weather Package, which includes heated seats and mirrors on the LE, heated seats, mirrors, and the steering wheel on the SE, and a heated steering wheel on the XLE and XSE, is standard equipment on all AWD variants.
The steering wheel of which Toyota Corolla is heated.
To make driving even more pleasant, the driving stance has been improved. To increase front and rear weight distribution and lower the vehicle’s center of gravity, the driver’s hip point has been lowered and pushed rearward.
Standard auto-up/down on all windows, a windshield de-icer, heated steering wheel options, push-button start and smart key options, and Qi wireless charging are all driver-focused convenience features. Except for the base L model, all grades come equipped with front heated seats. The rear seats have been changed to add 40mm in breadth and 49mm in legroom to provide back seat occupants with more room. The 2020 Corolla introduces heated rear seats on the XLE and XSE trim levels for the first time. Rear seats may be folded 60/40 to comfortably fit your items, like snowboards, hockey equipment, and camping gear.
You have a choice of three audio and multimedia choices with the 2020 Toyota Corolla. These are all features that work with Apple CarPlay.
Does the steering wheel on a Toyota Rav 4 have heat?
A 9-inch touchscreen, a motorized liftgate, and heated front seats with a heated steering wheel are all optional extras.
Has the steering wheel of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma been heated?
It has a 2.5L 4-cylinder, 205-hp engine as standard equipment. A heated steering wheel is included in the kit with the XSE model.
Has the steering wheel on the 2018 Toyota Camry been heated?
Yes, Toyota wants you to desire the brand-new, extensively redesigned 2018 Camry, and after spending a day behind the wheel of several examples of the new midsize family sedan, it is obvious to me that you might do so.
Of course, the new Camry still offers equal parts functionality, toughness, and safety. In addition to these distinguishing features, the Camry also exudes style and is genuinely pleasurable to drive, whether you go for the well-liked LE trim, the luxurious and cost-effective XLE Hybrid trim, or the sporty XSE V6 trim.
The entry-level Camry L costs $23,495 while the top-of-the-line Camry XSE V6 costs $34,950. These figures do not include the destination fee, which will cost around $900 based on what Toyota charged in 2017. Depending on the trim level, the hybrid drivetrain option on the Camry costs between $3,800 and $4,800 more than the 4-cylinder model, while the V6 engine upgrade costs $5,950 more.
The most popular 2018 Camry modelsthe LE, SE, XLE, and XSE models with the standard 4-cylinder engineare the subject of this assessment. The Camry XSE V6 performance sedan and the Camry Hybrid versions will be the subject of separate reports.
Toyota adds extra style to the Camry’s remixed recipe
In 2018, it is considerably simpler to distinguish between the regular and sportier Camry versions. Thanks to its “Keen Look” design language, this Toyota will stand out from every other vehicle on the road, especially when viewed from the front.
No 2018 Camry model piques my interest immediately. The SE and XSE models include a body color upper grille and a reworked front fascia with a blacked-out lower grille flanked by enormous simulated air intakes. The L, LE, and XLE versions sport a strong lower grille that mimics the business end of an electric shaver. Toyota explains that the SE and XSE models’ faces were inspired by catamaran design.
Around the back, I prefer the boy-racer SE and XSE models’ boyish styling to the more subdued L, LE, and XLE models, which have fake vents beneath the taillights that look completely out of place and an unconvincing lower diffuser panel framed by twin or quad exhaust outlets advertising twice as many pipes as there actually are.
The Camry XLE is the new Camry I would like to leave in my own driveway. It doesn’t have the “Lookit me, Ma!” bodywork that comes with the SE and XSE models, but it does have attractive multi-spoke 18-inch aluminum wheels that suit the large grille’s louvers.
The 2018 Camry has a more stylish inside, which is significant given that the owner spends all of his or her time inside the vehicle. It is evident from the mix of colors, patterns, and accents that Toyota spent a lot of time perfecting the interior of the new Camry. Additionally, the materials have a solid, long-lasting feel to them.
Additionally, the dashboard and center console designs highlight the Camry’s improved driving dynamism by putting the driver’s perspective front and center. Aside from making it more difficult for front seat passengers to reach the USB ports, power outlet, and optional wireless device charging tray, the asymmetrical design does not compel ergonomic concessions.
Comfort could be improved
Fortunately, Toyota includes more than just a set of aluminum wheels when you upgrade to the LE trim level. The LE additionally includes a front passenger seat with a manual height adjuster and an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat. As a result, it is simpler to get into and out of a car that is lower to the ground than before and has a nearly inch shorter seating hip point.
There is no way to conceal the 1.2-inch reduction in hip point height because the rear seat’s cushions cannot be adjusted for height. So it’s not strange that it feels depressing and a little weak in terms of support. It’s harder to approach and exit the automobile gracefully when the backrest is still inclined at an excessive inclination, encouraging a slouched seating position.
I rode in the Camry’s back seat for around thirty minutes before I was ready to move to the front. By no means is it painful, but it also doesn’t feel like a place you’d want to stay longer than is absolutely necessary. Additionally, it appears that the materials used for the back of the cabin have been downgraded, most notably in the usage of hard rather than soft material for the door panel upper portions.
Additionally, Toyota only provides USB charging connections for rear seat passengers in automatic temperature control equipped Camrys and restricts the availability of rear air conditioning vents to those models. Toyota doesn’t provide a heated steering wheel for the 2019 Camry, and front-seat passengers looking for ventilated seats won’t find one either.
The new Camry’s cabin and trunk are smaller than before
Additionally, the Camry seems a little bit smaller than before, especially in the back seat. When you compare the 2018 model’s specifications to those of the 2017 model, you’ll see that the new car’s interior space is smaller. With the makeover, hip room has increased while legroom, headroom, and shoulder room have decreased.
Additionally, the trunk’s volume has decreased from 15.4 cubic feet to 15.1 cu. ft. The Camry is now firmly at the bottom of the midsize car market, yet the manufacturer still doesn’t include a shelf or grab hold within the trunk so that owners may close it without putting their fingers on the outside of the lid.
However, the interior storage area is impressive. The glove box is a respectable size, and the center console bin between the front seats is practically massive. There is a small tray in front of the shifter, but it seems like anything put on it may easily fall out and get in the way of the driver’s feet. Additionally, by contemporary standards, the front door panel bins are curiously small.
A new family of Entune infotainment systems debuts
Toyota is debuting a new version of Entune 3.0 family of infotainment systems with the 2018 Camry. The 2018 Camry is available with a 10-inch heads-up display, a 7-inch driver information display, and a 360-degree surround view camera system in addition to the new Entune infotainment systems.
Even the entry-level Camry L comes with Entune 3.0 as standard equipment, and there are three different versions of the software available. However, none of them support smartphone projection via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, according to Toyota, who claims to still be concerned about the privacy and data protection of its customers.
A 7-inch display screen, the company’s free Software Suite technology, Siri Eyes Free, and three years of free access to a Scout GPS connected navigation app powered by your smartphone data plan are some of the highlights of Entune 3.0’s entry-level model. Except for the XLE and XSE with a V6 engine, all models come standard with this technology.
Entune 3.0 enhanced comes with a larger 8-inch screen flush installed inside a stylish central control panel that also has a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear seat air conditioning vents. This system comes with HD Radio, a 3-month trial subscription to satellite radio, and Qi-compatible wireless device charging. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot powered by Verizon additionally offers six complimentary months or up to two gratis gigabytes of data utilization, whichever comes first.
With this version of Entune, subscription plans for Toyota Connected Services are also available. Importantly, Safety Connect is now available for the majority of Camry models for the first time, and Toyota is providing it without charge for three full years. As a result, owners will have long-term access to essential features like automatic collision notification. For six months, the Remote Connect service is free and improves the automobile with additional safety-related features including a guest driver monitoring system and a vehicle locator. Owners may keep track of their vehicle’s status and upkeep needs with the aid of Service Connect.
The XLE and XSE versions with a V6 engine can choose between the top version of Entune 3.0. It includes a brand-new JBL premium sound system with Clari-Fi digital music restoration technology in addition to an exclusive inbuilt Dynamic Navigation system. The new Camry’s speakers are positioned thoughtfully, and improved sound staging creates a listening environment reminiscent of a live performance. Separately, only vehicles with XLE or XSE trim and a 4-cylinder engine can have the JBL sound system added to Entune 3.0’s mid-range version.
Improved technologies make the Camry safer and more entertaining
Entune 3.0 is more responsive from the user’s standpoint than it was previously, making the system much more enjoyable to use. Toyota continues to use separate climate controls below the display screen for all variants, and it has replaced the gray buttons with stylish-looking chrome tabs to give the dashboard a more upscale appearance.
Entune 3.0’s improved versions may appear more upscale and contemporary, but regardless of the system you choose, the surface of the control panel quickly catches dust and fingerprints. You should always have a cleaning cloth on hand if you’re as neat-freakish as I am.
Music streamed from a smartphone sounded extremely sharp and clear during a presentation of the new JBL sound system, thanks to the new Clari-Fi technology. Later, using the same audio settings and satellite radio in the same car, the speakers produced the slightly murky sound I’ve come to expect from JBL-branded parts.
In terms of security, the new Camry offers 10 standard airbags, a reversing camera, and a 30% increase in torsional rigidity. Additionally, the company offers free installation of the Toyota Safety Sense collection of driver assistance and accident avoidance technology. They consist of automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
A blind spot warning system and a rear cross-traffic alert are also included as standard or optional equipment on all Camry models, with the exception of the entry-level L trim level. The 2017 Camry also comes with an optional Intelligent Clearance Sonar system that adds automatic rear cross-traffic braking to lessen collisions in parking lots.
Fortunately, I didn’t need any of these capabilities during the brief time I spent operating a variety of Camry versions.
Most Camry models have an impressive new 4-cylinder engine
Toyota altered the 2018 Camry’s driving characteristics and fuel efficiency at the same time. A lighter hood, thinner body panels, and usage of lighter structural components were all part of the weight decrease effort.
To assist assure a quieter cabin, Toyota increased weight by using more sound-absorbing and dampening materials at the same time. The 2018 Camry LE weighs 51 pounds higher than the LE model from the previous year as a result of the addition of more equipment.
For the 2018 Camry, three different engines are available: a 4-cylinder engine, a V6 engine, and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain. The majority of purchasers will select a 4-cylinder Camry, and they won’t be dissatisfied.
The new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the Camry produces 203 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 184 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm thanks to direct fuel injection, intelligent variable valve timing, and a high 13:1 compression ratio, among other advancements (in XSE trim it makes 206 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft.). These numbers show gains of at least 25 horsepower and 14 lb-ft.
Toyota also asserts that the larger 17-gallon fuel tank and an EPA-rated 26 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. Estimates for fuel economy are 32 mpg in mixed driving, 39 mpg on the interstate, and 28 mpg in the city. The 2017 Camry has a theoretical driving range of 544 miles utilizing those combined figures.
Toyota also claims that the 4-cylinder engine has lower levels of noise, vibration, and harshness, and I can confirm this after just driving a 2017 Camry with a 4-cylinder engine. Additionally, the new engine produces fewer emissions, in part because of an exhaust gas recirculation system that is cooled.
Toyota describes its new 8-speed automatic transmission as snappy and smooth with rapid gear shifts. The new transmission features closely spaced mid-range gear ratios for quicker downshifts during passing maneuvers and is optimized for both optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
With a revised vehicle architecture and a reduced center of gravity, Toyota installs this powertrain. The MacPherson front and new double-wishbone rear suspensions, along with the lighter and more rigid Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), greatly add to the Camry’s improved agility.
All models come with front and rear suspension bracing to enhance the ride and handling, while the SE and XSE trim levels have stronger tuning and larger stabilizer bars for a livelier feeling while driving. While the XSE variant comes with 19-inch wheels, the SE and XLE models come standard with 18-inch aluminum wheels.
The steering is a little bit quicker on the SE, XLE, and XSE variants as well. The 4-cylinder variants of the Camry feature the same size brakes as the larger V6 models, despite the V6 adding approximately 200 pounds of weight over the car’s nose. All Camrys have 12-inch vented front and 11.06-inch solid rear discs.
What it’s like to drive the 2018 Toyota Camry
I drove the LE, the SE, and the XLE during the media preview of the Camry in Portland, Oregon, starting the day in the most affordable model of the trio.
I’ll put it down to having low expectations, but the driving dynamics of the Camry LE pleasantly pleased me. The 4-cylinder engine is surprisingly powerful, the shifts in the transmission are rapid and easy to understand, the steering has good weight, the brakes are immediate and simple to adjust, and the ride is agreeable but steady. Sharper dips and bumps have no effect on the vehicle’s balance, and the suspension efficiently controls dive, squat, and roll.
I tested out Toyota’s longest test drive route while operating the LE, averaging 30.8 mpg at an average speed of 45 mph. The circle was hilly, and that isn’t too far off from EPA estimations.
I chose to take a route with more narrow curves and kinks after hopping into the sportier Camry SE. The firmer suspension is the primary distinction in this case, aside from the more expressive outward appearance. Contrary to the previous Camry, you can feel it, but it doesn’t have a significant overall effect on how the car handles. In fact, I’m not even convinced it’s worth it given the tiny reduction in ride quality. More than ever, personal desire for aesthetics determines whether you purchase a Camry SE or a Camry LE.
The Camry XLE was my favorite of the three. While the Camry LE lacked more pleasure, its larger 18-inch wheels and slightly lower profile tires contributed some, and its basic suspension setting got rid of the SE model’s tautness over pavement irregularities.
Finally, it is important to make a distinction between the 4-cylinder engine and the V6 engine, which is significantly more powerful. Driving in Portland has convinced me that I genuinely prefer the 4-cylinder. The car will turn in tighter turns since the front tires will be carrying less weight. Additionally, it uses less fuel than before. With regard to 4-cylinder engines, it is undoubtedly slower, but it also offers a lively and refined response when the driver presses the accelerator.