Toyota has unveiled its sixth-generation RAV4. Having pioneered the crossover segment and shared the fun of driving with the world, the RAV4 has continued to evolve, and now incorporates the Arene platform. (Figures are based on development data)
The latest RAV4 had its world premiere in Tokyo on May 21.
The venue featured a display of its forerunners, from the concept model that made a splash at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show (now the Japan Mobility Show) to the current fifth generation, released in 2019.
Marking the lineup’s first addition in six years, the new model comes in three grades: CORE , ADVENTURE , and GR SPORT , honed for aerodynamic performance and handling stability.
With expanded battery capacity, the PHEV system boosts the RAV4’s electricity-only range from 95 km to 150 km, while rapid charging can recharge the battery to 80% in around 30 minutes.
And perhaps most notably, this new model marks the first deployment of Arene, Toyota’s software development platform.
Arene promises greater safety and more fun
Built by Woven by Toyota (WbyT), Arene is an integral platform for the rapid development of safe, secure, and high-quality software to underpin the creation of “ever-better cars”.
It consists of three components:
By integrating Arene, the new RAV4 offers customers the joy of mobility with a greater level of safety and peace of mind. With this model, Toyota is shifting its development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs*) into full gear.
*Cars designed and developed with the premise of updating vehicle features via software.
RAV4s are driven in over 180 countries and regions, with total sales exceeding 15 million vehicles. As WbyT CEO Hajime Kumabe told reporters, “Collecting various kinds of data will enable Arene to continuously evolve, helping us to be a best-in-town carmaker.”
“With the RAV4, we have taken the first step in mass-producing SDVs,” he added. “We will continue to improve Arene with a focus on our primary goal for SDVs: a society with zero traffic accidents.”
Five years after the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, the original RAV4 pioneered the world of crossovers. Now, some 30 years on, the sixth generation will begin writing the history of Toyota’s SDVs.
Chief Branding Officer Simon Humphries shared the story behind the model’s development.
[Speech by CBO Simon Humphries] The monocoque that made history
For over 100 years, the automobile has tapped into the fundamental human desire to explore...
It gave us freedom of mobility...and we shaped our lives around it.
From bubble cars...to muscle cars...
For the first 80 years of the 20th Century, there were all kinds of wonderful car designs. But during that time...the everyday car remained remarkably consistent...
If you asked a child to draw a car in the 1980’s, just as in the 1950’s, it would probably look something like this.
But in 1989, at the Tokyo Motor Show...something happened. The concept car that was to become the RAV4...was revealed.
It was quirky. It was a bit of fun.
No one at the time would have thought that it was about to change the automotive world.
But that’s exactly what this little monocoque SUV did.
Because from that day onwards...the crossover RAV4 gave the everyday car buyer...a new choice.