Is it necessary to install a roof rack on the RAV4?
4 Answers
If you don't need to place items on the roof and have no cargo-carrying requirements, but only for aesthetic purposes, it is not recommended to install a roof rack. Here are the relevant details: 1. Body dimensions: The body dimensions are: length 4600mm, width 1855mm, height 1680mm, with a wheelbase of 2690mm and a fuel tank capacity of 55 liters. 2. Powertrain: Equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, producing a maximum horsepower of 178PS, maximum power of 131kW, and maximum torque of 221Nm, paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut independent suspension, and the rear suspension is an E-type multi-link independent suspension.
Whether to install a roof rack depends on your lifestyle. I take my kids camping every week, and even with the trunk packed full of a roof tent and folding chairs, it's still not enough. After adding crossbars, I can strap the paddleboard directly to the roof—just wrap it tightly with a rain cover in wet weather. But if you mostly commute in the city, there's really no need to install one, as it increases wind noise at high speeds and adds about 0.5 liters per 100 km in fuel consumption. When choosing a roof rack, note that the RAV4's factory-installed side rails are just decorative—you'll need separate crossbars to carry items. Personally, I recommend quick-release models; they can be removed when not in use, allowing easy access to car washes.
From a cost-performance perspective, adding a roof rack to the RAV4 ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 yuan. I suggest first clarifying your usage scenario: for weekend short trips with family, the trunk + folded rear seats are generally sufficient. But for activities like skiing that I love, 1.8-meter snowboards require a roof rack. If installing, choose aluminum alloy material as iron crossbars are prone to rust. Key reminder: The so-called "original" gift packages offered by 4S shops are mostly rebranded products. It's better to select third-party brands with load-bearing labels on Taobao, which can save half the budget.
Test data speaks: Installing roof racks increases wind noise by 3 decibels at 80km/h, and be cautious with underground parking lots with ceilings under 2.1m. The RAV4's roof has a maximum static load of 75kg, but dynamic driving recommends keeping it under 50kg. Split-style crossbars are more practical than one-piece models, with 35kg load capacity per bar being sufficient. Pay attention to whether the crossbar locking mechanism matches the vehicle's roof rails - I've seen cases where forced installation deformed the rails. If you're just after aesthetics, applying black decorative strips is more cost-effective.
