Here’s a scenario for you: You’re looking to get out in nature and mix it up with the overlanding crowd a bit, but you just can’t justify dropping gobs of cash on a massive pickup truck with oversized tires and a bed rack. You’ve also got a sizeable commute to work and the kids have baseball practice on the other side of town, so you’d like to get more than 22 miles per gallon.
So, are you just plain out of luck?
Nope! The good news is, you don’t have to give up on your dreams of camping out in the hills around Ojai, because the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road can get you there in style without breaking the bank..
What makes the RAV4 TRD Off-Road different? It comes stock with everything you need to get away from civilization when you want to, and it’s a stellar daily driver when you’re ready to return to the grind.
RAV4 TRD Off-Road Performance and Specs
Underneath the hood of the TRD Off-Road version, you’ll find the familiar motor that’s shared with other non-hybrid RAV4s. It’s a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with Dual Variable Valve Timing, and it puts out 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 isn’t designed to be a powerhouse, but its engine does allow it to achieve a respectable 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
The motor is married to an eight-speed transmission, which gives it sufficient bite to handle modest trails with confidence. The TRD Off-Road also comes standard with Dynamic Torque Vectoring all-wheel drive, allowing it to engage the rear driveline when the going gets tough, and switch to front-wheel for better efficiency on paved roads.
The TRD Off-Road comes with a full complement of drive modes as well. There’s the regular Normal, Eco, and Sport modes found in lower-grade models, plus a Multi-Terrain Select dial that features Snow, Rock & Dirt, and Mud & Sand modes for the times when things get a little extra hairy. It also comes with Downhill Assist Control and Hill Start Assist Control.
Thanks to its hardier standard equipment, the TRD Off-Road grade is capable of unlocking the RAV4’s maximum towing potential of 3,500 pounds; plenty of oomph for a small trailer or a couple of dirt bikes.
RAV4 TRD Off-Road Exterior
As part of the TRD Off-Road package, the RAV4 gets some subtle yet effective exterior embellishments to set it apart from other grades. The dark gray front and rear bumper valances and matte black 18-inch wheels give it a more commanding presence, and the red-painted shock absorbers add a cool trail-ready flair.
It ain’t just about aesthetics, though. The TRD Off-Road also gets specialized raised roof rails colored to match the cladding along the wheel housings, as well as a steel front skid plate complete with a TRD stamp, which affords extra underbody protection from rocks, mud, and sand.
Finally, the wheels are wrapped in Falken Wildpeak A/T tires. These unique all-terrains boast a sturdier construction than your garden variety all-season tire, but the tread is optimized for smooth and quiet highway performance.
RAV4 TRD Off-Road Interior
Inside, you’ll find the same thoughtful and elegantly simple angles that the RAV4 is known for, along with a host of extras you’d expect from a higher-grade model.
Upholstery is edged with SofTex, and features trim-specific red stitching and TRD embossments, which can also be found throughout the cabin on the console and dashboard. The driver’s seat is adjustable eight different ways, and includes lumbar support. The package also includes all-weather floor mats and a cargo liner, all of which are also emblazoned with the TRD logo.
Perhaps one of the coolest features in the TRD Off-Road is a 120-volt/100-watt AC power outlet, which provides plenty of juice for camp coolers, lights, portable speakers, and more. The outlet replaces the standard 12-volt outlet found in the base RAV4.
Other standard interior features in the TRD Off-Road include a power moonroof, dual climate control, five USB ports, and the Toyota Smart Key System. A wireless phone charging setup is available as well.
