Toyota RAV4 has entered China for 8 years! How is Toyota's car?

It's fair to say that the city SUV is currently one of the most popular vehicle categories, but the Toyota RAV4, which was expected to be overshadowed by the Honda CR-V, has remained relatively quiet and underperformed in sales. However, Toyota, unable to ignore this situation, finally launched the mid-life updated RAV4 on July 28th. What new features and improvements did it bring to this iconic model? The 2016 RAV4 comes with two naturally aspirated engine options: a 2.0L and a 2.5L, along with the previous model lineup. It offers seven different trims: the 2.0L Urban, Fashion, Comfort, Zhishang, 4WD New, 2.5L 4WD Elite, and 2.5L 4WD Distinguished. The price range spans from 179,800 to 269,800 yuan. Since its debut in 1994, the RAV4 quickly captured the market’s attention, surpassing Toyota’s expectations with double the projected sales. It had taken five years since the concept car was first introduced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. By the time it officially launched, the production model had undergone significant changes compared to its initial design. The RAV4 marked a milestone in automotive history as the world's first compact SUV and the first urban SUV. It offered both a comfortable city driving experience and off-road capabilities, setting a new standard. Soon after its release, competitors like the Honda CR-V, Ford Maverick, Nissan Qijun, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Subaru Forester entered the market. In 1996, the RAV4 made its way to the U.S., where it became a favorite among American women. It wasn’t until 2009 that it officially entered China, after a 13-year wait. At that point, FAW Toyota had already been selling models like the Corolla, Vios, Crown, Reiz, and Prius for six years. Interestingly, its main competitor, the Honda CR-V, began production in China in 2004, while the Qijun followed in 2008. Despite launching in April 2009, the RAV4 managed to secure second place in the 2009 SUV sales rankings with 67,880 units sold, proving its strong market appeal. Over the next eight years, the RAV4 maintained consistent sales, accumulating over 800,000 units sold globally. In just a few years after its Chinese launch, it had already sold 120,000 units. On July 28, 2016, the new RAV4 was released in China. After seven years in the market, it finally received its official Chinese name — Rongfang. According to Jiang Jun, General Manager of FAW Toyota Motor Sales Co., the name "Rongfang" was chosen to enhance brand recognition and connect with younger consumers. He explained that "Rong" represents strength, confidence, and glory, reflecting the model's bold design and power. "Fang" symbolizes freedom, vitality, and passion, capturing the dynamic spirit of the vehicle and its performance. The RAV4 boasts impressive exterior and interior features, including LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, VSC+ system, HAC hill assist, AHB automatic high beams, PVM panoramic monitoring, cruise control, and Toyota Safety Sense. These upgrades make it a strong contender in the competitive SUV segment. With over 25,000 orders placed within two months, the new RAV4 Rongfang has already generated significant interest. For more details, you can check the previous article titled “Two Months of Orders Over 25,000 Units: What Is the New RAV4 Rongfang?” on Transportation Gate. To celebrate its 8th anniversary, the RAV4 partnered with Marvel for an interactive Avengers Experience, aligning with the brand’s values and target audience. As a Marvel fan, I found the superhero cosplayers absolutely thrilling. Beyond the Marvel collaboration, RAV4 Rongfang has also engaged in various sports and entertainment marketing campaigns, such as sponsoring CCTV’s “Olympic in Rio” and the “English Premier Night,” as well as the “Kunlun Decision” fight. These efforts have helped solidify its presence in the market. In the global market, RAV4 is a pioneer, but in China, it was a latecomer. Yet, with its strong product performance, it has managed to carve out a successful position in the fiercely competitive SUV segment. To stay ahead, Toyota continues to focus on product quality and value for money. To boost competitiveness, RAV4 Rongfang has introduced several promotions, including a 40% down payment option, zero interest rates for 2 or 3 years with cashback, and trade-in subsidies. Owners who purchased Corolla, Vios, or other Toyota models within the last two years can also enjoy additional incentives when upgrading to the RAV4 Rongfang. So, the question remains: With the new RAV4 Rongfang now available, would you consider buying it?

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