Toyota brought the new RAV4 to the Paris Motor Show, and while there will be a regular gasoline-burning model on offer, the automaker mainly focused on the new hybrid version.

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Power hits the road through a much improved all-wheel-drive system. The claimed sprint time to 62 mph is 8.1 seconds, and Toyota says it expects returns of 4.5 l/100km, or around 52.3 mpg US.

One other powertrain is offered - a 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Meanwhile, diesels have been completely dropped from the RAV4, as Toyota has reinforced its position as a strong proponent of hybrid technology. This is definitely a statement, given that despite the bad press, diesels are still fairly popular in Europe.

It looks nothing like its bland predecessor, adopting a much more angular and chiseled look with plenty of cool design touches. Overhangs are shorter by 5 millimeters in the front and 30 millimeters in the rear, and it’s actually shorter overall. It is, however, wider and lower by 10 millimeters, and all of this completely transforms the look.

Its interior is also significantly more interesting than before, with its more premium look and feel and a plethora of gadgets. Atop the center console sits a new 7.0-inch infotainment screen, which can also run Apple CarPlay. It offers up to five USB ports for the driver and passengers and has an available wireless charger too.

There’s a new digital rear-view mirror in the RAV4 which is apparently also a Toyota first. You can switch it between a regular mirror to a screen displaying a wide angle, a high-definition image showing much more than the regular screen. Apparently, the camera feeding the image can be controlled by the driver and there’s even a zoom function.

The car sits 15 millimeters higher off the ground and can only be had with 17- or 18-inch wheels. Toyota says that thanks to the use of its new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform (its first ever use in an SUV), the vehicle actually has a lower center of gravity, improved handling, comfort, and spaciousness. It also wants to assure prospective buyers “the cabin displays exceptional quality and finish throughout.”

Off-road performance is also enhanced over the previous RAV4 Hybrid, as now there is greater flexibility with the torque split. It can now send as much as much as 80 percent of the power to the rear axle (30 percent more than the previous version of the system). The driver will be able to control the all-wheel-drive system and switch it between Normal, Eco and Sport modes.

It also gets what Toyota calls “Trail Mode,” which brakes any free rotating wheels and allows power to be sent where there’s still grip. This is said to significantly improve the off-road capability of the hybrid.

The all-new RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid are set to reach European showrooms in early 2019. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota RAV4.

Read our full driven review on the 2015 Toyota RAV4.

Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure.

Read our full review on the 2017 Toyota FT-AC concept.

Read our full review on the 2017 Toyota FT-4X concept.