I’ve been sort of avoiding the Auto China show in Beijing, to be honest, because I felt it was going to just give me FOMO. Welp, I was right. The team at AutoNotion told me to check out some of the reveals, and I’ve only been left feeling bummed. One cool reveal was from Toyota, and the United States won’t be left out. It’s no wedge-shaped neato SUV from Hyundai, but again… At least we will get this one.
I’m probably the first to tell you that the Toyota RAV4 is booooring. I am always yapping about how the SUVs in America are void of creativity and emotion, leaving us with oversized boxes designed for safety regulations and fuel efficiency/range rather than getting our hearts racing. The RAV4 crossover is one of those vehicles you don’t notice or think about when you see it pass by. However, Toyota seems to be trying to change that.
The 2027 Toyota RAV4 looks extra angular and extra plastic-y
First revealed by SPEEDME, you could have told me the pictures they captured in Beijing were off a Subaru Outback or something, and I’d have believed you. But it’s apparently the RAV4’s new look for 2027. The front end looks angular and almost aggressive, with a honeycomb-like grille and angular headlights cut by a sharp continuation of the front end’s hard lines. The side is equally angled, featuring more prominent creases. The rear has more futuristic taillight designs with red LED lines. The interior is also updated, with a massive screen taking up the center of the dash.
What stands out to me the most, however, is the hideous plastic cladding on the front and rear bumpers, side panels, and around the wheel arches. It’s not new for the RAV4, but it feels even more aggressive now. It immediately gave off “Subaru” vibes for me. I feel the Outback and Forester are the biggest culprits of this haphazard, ugly plastic. However, Subaru is designed with off-roading in mind. The plastic is meant to protect your vehicle from kicked-up rocks as you tackle uneven trails and cross rocky streams. I’m not going to lie and say that most Subaru drivers are taking their family SUVs off the pavement, but that’s the style the brand is going for.
The RAV is fine for some light off-roading, but I’ve truthfully never known a RAV4 owner to do this. I don’t think most RAV4 buyers are off-roading enthusiasts. If they were, they’d get a Subaru or Jeep instead. This is just not an off-roading vehicle, even if it has a few modes and some plastic. But with the new extra plastic and aggressive angles, is the RAV4 looking to compete more closely with Subaru?
It sorta feels like it, seeing as the vehicles are nearly identical to anyone who doesn’t pay attention to SUVs (like me).
We currently don’t have any of the technical specifications for the RAV4’s powertrain or performance. We know there will be a hybrid version, but that’s it. Is the RAV4 going to get any performance-related updates to coincide with the new look, allowing it to be a bit more aggressive off the pavement? I’m going to venture to say no, seeing as the RAV4 is currently one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States due to its reliability, safety, and other boring stuff like that. The thing is meant to haul kids and dogs around. It would be quite strange if Toyota switched up that formula.
But hey, at least theyare giving the RAV4 a bit of personality. Seeing these featureless, smooth, oversized SUVs all over the highway can get a bit depressing. And if Americans are going to keep buying them, at least make them a bit cooler. It’s the least that can be done since we aren’t getting any cheap sports cars anytime soon. I’m scared to even look at all the cool cheap cars being revealed at the Auto China show… Major FOMO for anyone sick of the overpriced cars over here.
