Exploring Ground Clearance: Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a popular compact SUV for drivers who need an efficient commuter, a family vehicle, and for those who are looking for a bit of adventure. This small SUV has the ability to do it all. It has plenty of power, impressive fuel efficiency, and some off-road capabilities, thanks to its ground clearance. The amount of ground clearance you’ll have in the RAV4 depends on which trim you have. But why do you want ground clearance? How important is it when choosing a vehicle?

Toyota Rav4 2.5 XLE 2022 by RL GNZLZ is licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0

Introduction

The Toyota RAV4 is a two-row crossover SUV with room for up to five people. The lineup includes six different trim levels, each with a

unique set of features, making it easy to find one that fits your needs. The entry-level LE and XLE are perfect for buyers looking for the basics, while the XLE Premium and Limited offer more luxury features and technology. Adventure and TRD Off-Road are perfect for people who want to venture off the beaten path.

Every RAV4 has the same engine under its hood. The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine delivers 203 horsepower and can come with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

This small SUV is ideal for running around town and for long trips. You can expect to get up to 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway in the LE  with front-wheel drive. The Adventure will get up to 33 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city, and the TRD Off-Road will get 32 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city.

Understanding Ground Clearance

Ground clearance is the vertical distance between the undercarriage of a vehicle and the ground. It’s sometimes referred to as the ride height. It plays an important role in how a vehicle will perform when it’s traveling over rough terrain or driving in rough conditions.

It’s important to consider ground clearance when you choose an SUV, but how do you know what kind of clearance you’ll need? The ground clearance for most crossover SUVs ranges from 7.5 inches to 9 inches. This higher height makes it easier to handle uneven surfaces.

Drivers who like having a better feel for the road often choose lower-riding cars, such as sedans. The ground clearance for many cars ranges from 5 to 7 inches. The driving experience is much different when the vehicle sits lower to the ground. They give the driver a more connected feeling, so they can take corners at faster speeds while staying in control.

Ground Clearance of the Toyota RAV4

The ground clearance for most RAV4 trims is 8.4 inches. This means that there are 8.4 inches between the undercarriage of the RAV4 and the ground. The RAV4 Adventure and the TRD Off-Road trims are designed to tackle rougher terrain than the rest of the lineup, so they get some extra clearance. In these two trims, along with the XLE Premium and Limited, there are 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

While this extra clearance helps to make the RAV4 more capable of driving over rough terrain, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The Adventure adds a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system with a disconnecting rear axle and a Multi-Terrain Select system with drive modes for sand, rock and dirt, snow, and normal, along with an added mode for downhill assist control. The Adventure can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is an increase from the 1,500 pounds that the lower trims can tow.

Choosing the RAV4 TRD Off-Road gets you the features from the Adventure, plus Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. Off-road tires have an open-tread design made to handle rocky and challenging terrains. This trim is more capable than any of the other RAV4s because it has a TRD-tuned off-road suspension with upgraded shocks and jounce jumpers to help smooth out rough trails.

Benefits of Ground Clearance in the Toyota RAV4

A generous amount of ground clearance provides drivers with several benefits. The first is the ability to travel over uneven surfaces. When a vehicle sits up higher, it can accommodate larger tires. Larger tires provide better grip, increase traction, and make it more stable.

Increased ground clearance can also make your RAV4 more durable. When it sits up higher, it reduces the risk of rocks or other debris scraping or damaging the undercarriage. If you drive over dirt roads or rough terrain often, this type of damage to the undercarriage can lead to rust and deterioration of components. The added ride height you’ll get with the RAV4 can help minimize this.

A good amount of ground clearance is beneficial when driving in inclement weather. If there’s snow on the road or water from a rainstorm, the added ride height and larger tires can make the RAV4 easier to handle and your drive safer.

Customer Testimonials

People who own and drive the Toyota RAV4 have good things to say about it. The majority of drivers would recommend it to others.

One reviewer commented on the good ride and drive in the TRD Off-Road. They said they enjoyed the ride quality due to the multi-link suspension and the upgraded TRD-tuned suspension. They said the suspension not only performed well on rough terrain but also handled city potholes like a champ. The maneuverability was another highlight, along with how easy it was to park.

Conclusion

The best way for you to see if the Toyota RAV4 has the ground clearance you need is to come to Classic Toyota of Tyler and take it out for a test drive. You can get behind the wheel and get a feel for how it drives on the highway and back roads. We are here to answer any questions you have about the RAV4, its ground clearance, and its capabilities. Stop by today. You’ll find us at 1717 W SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701, or you can give us a call at 903-581-0600. We can’t wait to show you the Toyota RAV4.