The Toyota RAV4 is very popular with Aussie buyers right now. Here's everything you need to know about this stylish, compact SUV, as well as how to get a Toyota RAV4 car loan.
Toyota produces four versions of the RAV4 for the Australian market. The trim grades are GX, GXL, Cruiser and Edge. There are a few different engine and transmission combinations.
Engine
Transmission
Grades available on
2.0-litre petrol
Six-speed manual or Auto CVT
2WD GX
2WD GX Auto CVT
2WD GXL Auto CVT
2WD Cruiser
2.5-litre petrol
Eight-speed automatic
AWD Edge
2.5-litre hybrid
Automatic CVT
2WD/AWD GX
2WD/AWD GXL
2WD/AWD Cruiser
The starting drive-away price for a GX 2WD entry model is $37,105, in NSW postcode 2000.
Did you know?
RAV4 is short for Recreational Activity Vehicle (with 4WD). In Japan, Toyota markets the RAV4 as ラヴフォー, or Ravufō, which roughly translates to English as "Love Four".
Toyota RAV4 GX
Toyota's drive-away price for the entry-level GX RAV4 starts at $37,105 when built as a 2WD with the 2.0-litre petrol engine and manual gearbox. For a 2WD hybrid RAV4, Toyota asks a drive-away cost of $41,776. You can only have the hybrid with an automatic CVT. An AWD hybrid GX is also on sale from $44,866.
Here are some of the standout features of the GX RAV4:
17-inch alloy wheels
Auto-levelling, parabolic LED headlamps
LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and rear combination lamps
Halogen front fog lamps
Power-adjustable side mirrors, with heaters and power-folding
Electronic parking brake
8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Six speakers
USB input
4.2-inch multi-information display
Digital radio
Steering wheel mounted controls for audio, MID and telephone
Satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates
Smart start system (hybrid only)
Automatic dual-zone climate control (hybrid only)
LED projector headlamps (hybrid only)
Safety features include the following:
Blind spot monitor
Rear cross-traffic alert
Reversing camera with static guidelines
All-round parking sensors
Toyota Safety Sense:
Lane departure alert
Lane trace assist (auto CVT only)
Pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and cyclist (daytime) detection
Road sign assist
Automatic high beam
Active cruise control (all-speeds on auto CVT, high-speed on manual)
Hill start assist
Automatic headlights (light-sensitive)
Rain-sensing wipers
Toyota RAV4 GXL
Upgrading to the GXL will mean you need to spend from $42,133. A hybrid 2.5-litre 2WD is priced from $44,708, while an AWD hybrid has a price of $47,808.
In addition to the GX spec, you also benefit from the following:
Automatic CVT on all models
18-inch alloy wheels
Rear and rear-side window privacy glass
Roof rails
Premium steering wheel/gear lever
Auto dual-zone climate control
Premium embossed cloth seats
Wireless phone charger – Qi-supported devices
Smart entry and start system
Four extra USB ports (total of three in front, two in rear)
Premium bumper and grille
Safety extras include the following:
Reversing camera with a back guide monitor
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Toyota RAV4 Cruiser
You'll find the Cruiser starts at a drive-away cost of $45,738. You can think of this model as the top of the line "ordinary" RAV4. An AWD Hybrid Cruiser with an automatic CVT transmission costs $51,483 driveaway.
Adding to the GXL spec, you'll also receive the following:
18-inch gloss black alloy wheels (hybrid)/19-inch alloys on petrol
Tilting and sliding moonroof
Power tailgate
Leather accentuated interior
Ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat (with power lumbar support adjustment) and two-position memory
Heated front seats
7-inch multi-information display
Nine-speaker premium audio system from JBL
Chrome exterior door handles
Ambient cabin lighting
Safety-wise, you also unlock the following:
Panoramic view monitor
Toyota RAV4 Edge
The Edge ups the RAV4's off-road capabilities, making it a more adventure-ready SUV. There's no hybrid option, though the 2.0-litre petrol is substituted with a larger 2.5-litre petrol. Underscoring its rough terrain inclination is an AWD and 8-speed automatic transmission. The drive-away cost of an Edge RAV4 starts from $53,478.
Improving on the GXL spec RAV4 models, the Edge also benefits from the following:
19-inch alloys
Power tailgate
Ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat with electric lumbar support adjustment
Here, we will concentrate on two different types of car loans: secured and unsecured.
Secured car loans
Because a secured car loan takes the vehicle you purchase as a registered piece of collateral, the interest rates tend to be more favourable. That's because to a lender, the entry they lodge with the Personal Property Security Register (PPSR) helps reduce the risk to them since they can recover the vehicle if you stop repaying the car loan.
Consequently, they offer lower interest rates and typically accept loans of higher values. Secured loans also come with some downsides:
There are more conditions the vehicle you buy must meet, including maximum age
You're restricted to using the borrowed money for the car purchase only – not for related or unrelated costs
Unsecured car loan
An alternative to a secured car loan is an unsecured loan. No security is taken on the loan, so there are fewer restrictions placed on the type and age of vehicle you buy. You're also able to spend money on associated or miscellaneous costs on your car purchase.
There are downsides though. Without the collateral on the loan, the finance company is taking on greater risk. As a result, they increase interest rates, which means you'll pay more throughout an unsecured car loan agreement vs an identical secured alternative. There's also more exacting application criteria and you won't be able to borrow as much.
When calculating your budget, don't forget to include things like monthly fees, application/processing charges and the rate of interest. This will give you the true cost of your car loan.
How to compare car loans with Finder
Using our tool couldn't be simpler. Decide how much you need to borrow, set the length of time you wish to repay the loan over and smash that calculate button.
If you can't afford the monthly repayments, try extending out the loan term. This helps spread out the cost and can reduce your outgoings on a month-to-month basis massively. However, you will pay out more in interest, so bear that in mind.
Borrowing the money over a few extra years can drastically slash the month-to-month costs of your loan. For example, a 3-year car loan for $30,000 as of January 2020 is on average $900 per month. The same money taken over six years works out to nearer $500 a month.
Car loan jargon and terms got your head spinning? Read our simple guide to car loans. You'll learn about the different types of car finance, learn how to speak the terminology and understand the application process.
Ben Gribbin is an automotive writer at Finder. He is a life-long car enthusiast, bringing many years of experience working with and writing about cars. During his time, Ben has been a freelance writer, editor and reviewer for a number of leading publications across the UK. He was voted the Guild of Motoring Writers Breakthrough Blogger in 2015.
Want to buy a classic car but don't have the ready money? There are still financing options available for classic vehicles. Find out what loans you have to choose one and which one will work best for you.
Have bad credit but still need a car? There are a range of lenders that will consider you for a loan. Find out how to apply and how you can get approved in this guide.
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