Does the 2020 RAV4 CVT have gears?
2 Answers
2020 RAV4 CVT has gears. Introduction to RAV4: The Toyota RAV4 is the base model in Toyota's compact multi-purpose off-road vehicle family. Its name comes from the abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive," meaning "four-wheel-drive recreational sports vehicle." RAV4 models: It adopts a completely new exterior and interior design style, with the overall shape further evolving towards an urban SUV, while off-road characteristics gradually fade from this model. RAV4 positioning: The RAV4 combines high quality and high performance with driving comfort and excellent off-road capability, allowing it to handle both ON ROAD and OFF ROAD sections freely, meeting the needs of diverse lifestyles.
During my regular vehicle maintenance, I learned that the 2020 RAV4's CVT transmission indeed features a launch gear, which Toyota refers to as Direct Shift technology. This design uses a physical gear to handle low-speed driving scenarios, such as accelerating from a stop or climbing hills, providing more direct torque output. Once speed increases, it smoothly transitions to the belt-driven continuously variable mode. This eliminates the lag commonly associated with traditional CVTs, making the shifting process more natural and fluid, with quicker acceleration response. From a maintenance perspective, this gear structure reduces stress on the steel belt, extending the transmission's lifespan. Toyota claims it improves fuel efficiency by about 10%. In daily use, especially in urban traffic or during overtaking, drivers can experience stable and reliable power. It's recommended to check the transmission fluid every 60,000 km to ensure optimal performance.