autoevolution
 

Toyota RAV4 Fails Moose Test, People Advised “To Not Buy the Car”

Teknikens Värld is a motoring publication known for its moose tests, and the latest victim comes in the guise of the RAV4. The fifth generation entered production in November 2018 for the 2019 model year, and thus far, the sales figures are admirable for every market where the compact crossover utility vehicle is sold by the Toyota Motor Corporation.
2019 Toyota RAV4 moose test 32 photos
Photo: Teknikens Värld
2019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV42019 Toyota RAV4
But here’s the kicker.“Until Toyota corrects the error, our advice is to not buy the car.” Teknikens Värld says so, and the RAV4 moose tests in the following video serve as bulletproof evidence.

Registration number PEG 23L was put through its paces for the 11th issue of the Swedish magazine, and the first sign that the handling isn’t up to snuff was the maximum speed measured. 68 km/h (42 mph) is shy of the 70 km/h limit, and “the behavior was really bad with strong skid tendencies.” Another problem was the ESP, which engaged too late.

Following the spring tests, Teknikens Värld had another go with GDT 87Y at 23 degrees Celsius versus 10 degrees. In warmer weather, the RAV4 goes up on two wheels, bounces sideways, skids severely, and so forth. “Much effort and great hassle” is how these guys describe the second car’s moose tests, and as it happens, the top speed stays put at 68 km/h.

When pressed about the matter, Toyota gladly replied that the fifth-gen RAV4 passed all internal tests including the ISO 3888-2 without giving an explanation of the poor performance. Nor did the Japanese automaker said a thing about rectifying the issue or whether it can be corrected only through a software update of the electronic stability program.

This isn’t the first hiccup from Toyota as part of Teknikens Värld moose testing. The Hilux exhibited this behavior in 2007 and 2016, and the second time around, the Swedish dealer network “spread incorrect information and pure lies about what had happened.” Big yikes, don’t you think?

On the upside, the Hilux was eventually updated. The new software for the ESP completely suppressed the tendency to flip over during the moose test, and given time, we’re keeping our fingers crossed the RAV4 will be treated to a similar rectification.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories