For most Chinese people, a 200,000-level compact joint venture SUV is indeed the object of their focus when buying a car. Because for models of this class, they can provide the mainstream configuration and competitiveness of the current car market, and the price is affordable for most families. Therefore, strength and cost performance have also become the basis for these models to gain a foothold in the market.
Not long ago, Chevrolet launched the Explorer's 2022 model, and its 550T model added a 48V light hybrid system, this new change also makes us look forward to its future performance. So in the face of the market evergreen RAV4 bloom, how will the explorer perform?
We selected the Explorer Light Hybrid 550T RS 9AT 4WD Intelligent Frontier Edition and the RAV4 Rongfang 2.5L Dual Engine Edition Flagship 4WD Edition for comparison, and the prices of the two were 239,900 yuan and 259,800 yuan respectively. Taking the Shanghai area as an example, the explorer currently has a cash discount of about 40,000 yuan, while the RAV4 Rongfang has a smaller concession margin of only about 0.8 million yuan, and the terminal price of the two models is about 51,900 yuan.
1. Appearance comparison
In the SAIC-GM Chevrolet model camp, the Explorer can be said to have a pivotal position. As a Chevrolet American SUV that has been passed down for 85 years, it has sold more than 4 million units worldwide. The appearance of the whole vehicle is atmospheric and dynamic, the exquisite detail design and the addition of RS elements make it easier for explorers to get the love of young people.
RaV4 rongfang has been developed in the fifth generation so far, and it is also the first RAV4 model under the TNGA concept. The whole vehicle has Toyota's current family style in design, compared to the previous Toyota models to give people a sense of moderation, today's RAV4 Rongfang has also added some youthful atmosphere.
Explorer adopts the design of split headlights, which is integrated with the active grille standard of the whole series, and the headlights and daytime running lights all use LED light sources, and have the function of adapting to near and far lights, and beauty and practicality coexist. The headlight design of the RAV4 is more conventional, but it is the same as the explorer in terms of configuration, which can be seen that the Japanese car is oriented by practicality.
The Explorer has certain advantages over the RAV4 Rongfang in terms of body size, with a length, width and height of 4646x1843x1695mm and a wheelbase size of 2725mm. The RAV4 has a body length of 4600x1855x1680mm and a wheelbase size of 2690mm. The longer wheelbase also gives the explorer an advantage in the layout of the interior space.
The Explorer adopts a hidden D-pillar design, which also makes its tail look very fashionable, and the winged taillight design is sharp, which is not only recognizable after lighting, but also very eye-catching. At the same time, the exhaust design of the two sides with a total of four out also greatly increases the dynamics of the whole vehicle.
The rear shape of rav4 Rongfang is relatively tough, and the design line is also quite sharp, creating a relatively good sense of power. At the same time, its D-pillar is also designed with black trim, which is a good embellishment, and the vehicle has a bilateral exhaust port design.
The Explorer features a bright black rim design and a 19-inch ten-spoke rim that matches the 235/50 R19 Goodyear tires for a visual impact. The RAV4 rim also features a bright black design, but the size is 18 inches, which is slightly inferior in visual effect.
2. Cockpit comparison
The interior design of the Explorer follows Chevrolet's classic flying wing two-cockpit concept, with areas such as the instrument panel and central control coated with a large area of black leather, and the red stitching of the RS version also adds a lot of combat to the interior. In addition, the interior can also be coated with a higher grade of ALCANTARA leather to obtain a sense of luxury that RAV4 cannot give.
Nowadays, the central control LCD screen in the interior has entered the era of large screens, and Chevrolet has also given their answers on the Explorer. The size of the 2022 Explorer's central control screen has been upgraded to 10 inches, and the 37° inclination angle is more in line with the driver's visual angle. While increasing the screen size, the Explorer still retains the traditional physical operation buttons and retains the convenience of operation.
With the blessing of iFLYTEK, the voice operation function of the explorer is more in line with the habits of domestic consumers, which can not only operate smoothly on navigation, travel, air conditioning, multimedia and other functions, but also support 30 dialogue types, covering scenes such as eating, drinking, traveling, knowledge quizzes, and chatting. Mobile phone users can connect through Apple CarPlay/Baidu CarLife, and OTA remote upgrades, OnStar and other functions are also equipped. Configurations such as AutoNavi/Online Hybrid Navigation and Online Music App are in the leading position in their class.
The interior design of rav4 Rongfang has a strong Toyota family style, and the center console part of the car is also softly coated. In terms of interior color, RAV4 Rongfang also has Toyota's consistent style, which is decent, and its sense of fashion and personalization are lacking.
The rav4's central touch LCD screen also adopts a suspension design, and the size reaches 10.1 inches, which is almost the same as that of the explorer. The built-in car system UI design is relatively simple, and the voice can control navigation, air conditioning, sunroof, multimedia, etc. However, this car machine system does not support Apple CarPlay/Baidu CarLife mobile phone interconnection, which is also a slight lack of most Japanese cars at present.
Both cars are equipped with keyless entry, keyless start, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, on-board PM2.5 air filtration system, electric trunk, openable panoramic sunroof and other functions, in the basic configuration can still meet the current mainstream car experience.
The Explorer also has remote control start, ANC active noise reduction technology, 7-speaker BOSE audio, inductive wipers, interior mood lights, 220V power supply and other configurations, which are not available in rav4 Rongfang. The RAV4 Rongfang has a full window one-button lift, streaming media rearview mirrors that explorers do not have. On the whole, in the configuration of the car, the explorer is much richer than the RAV4 Rongfang.
The full seat of the Explorer is wrapped in leather and embellished with red stitching. In addition, consumers can also choose ALCANTARA materials to enhance the overall texture of the interior. The front seats have 10-way electric adjustment and are all heated and ventilated, while the second row seats have an adjustable backrest angle.
RaV4 rongfang seats use leather and imitation leather splicing, the front row only supports the main seat electric adjustment function, the passenger seat adjustment method is manual, while the front seat is only equipped with heating function, and the second row seat also has the backrest angle adjustment function. In terms of the comfort function configuration of the seat, the RAV4 rongfang has a qualitative gap compared with the explorer.
Ride space display
From the picture, we can see that the Explorer and RAV4 Rong are placed on the back space, and they have more than one punch in the head and more than two punches on the legs. Considering that the RAV4 Rongfang space experience personnel are ordinary women, there is a certain gap in body shape compared with ordinary men, it can also be seen that the two cars are in an even performance in the riding space in the car, and both have reached a very generous level. It is worth mentioning that the rear floor of the Explorer has also achieved a fully flat design, so that the comfort of the passengers in the middle of the rear row can also be guaranteed.
The second row of seats in both models can be reclined proportionally, and the explorer can get a space flush with the trunk floor, which is more convenient for the loading and placement of large items, and if desired, can also be used as a bed. The RAV4 has a certain height difference after the overturning, so the expandability of its trunk is limited.
3. Power and control comparison
The Explorer is equipped with Chevrolet's unique black technology "2T9" flagship power combination. It uses the eighth-generation Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine, which is currently the star product of SAIC-GM. The engine has a maximum power of 174 kW and a maximum torque of 350 N·m, which is matched by a 9-speed automatic transmission, which takes into account the performance and fuel consumption performance.
The engine has variable cylinder technology and can be switched freely between "two-cylinder ultra economy", "four-cylinder economy" and "four-cylinder performance". The official 100-kilometer acceleration time of the Explorer equipped with this powertrain is 8.1s, and the comprehensive fuel consumption is only 7.39L/100km, which is both performance and economy. The 48V mixed-and-light system uses a larger motor, which also makes the start of the vehicle more rapid, the vehicle shakes less when starting and stopping, and can obtain better fuel economy.
RAV4 Rongfang adopts a combination of 2.5L naturally aspirated engine and motor, matching an E-CVT gearbox, the system's comprehensive power is 163kW, compared to the performance output, this power system pays more attention to the performance of fuel consumption, RAV4 Rongfang's NEDC 100 km comprehensive fuel consumption performance is 5L.
Both models feature separate suspension in front McPherson and rear multi-link styles, and both have four-wheel drive configurations. The Explorer's four-wheel drive system uses a mechanical, timely four-wheel drive structure that can be switched between two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive by itself or manually to ensure fuel economy and handling performance. The RAV4 rongfang uses Toyota's E-Four electric four-wheel drive, and the rear axle is driven by an electric motor.
Both models are equipped with tire pressure display, lane departure warning, lane keeping, and active braking. Compared with the RAV4 rongfang, the explorer also has more reversing side warning, parallel assist, automatic parking entry, steep slope slow down, engine start and stop functions. The RAV4 Rongfang has automatic parking, full-speed adaptive cruise, which are not available in the exploration of the boundary.
The body of the Explorer adopts a structure of 4 vertical and 8 rings, and the proportion of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel reaches 82%. As a global model, the North American version of the Explorer's Equinox has received the highest rating of TOP SAFETY PICK in the IIHS crash test in the United States, which is a very brilliant result for the extremely strict IIHS.
Editor's comments: As two famous car brands, Chevrolet and Toyota have always maintained a consistent insistence on the creation of their own products, which can be seen from the comparison between the explorer and rav4. Both models reflect their own competitiveness, while the performance of the Explorer is more balanced and more in line with the habits and preferences of consumers at different levels. And as the well-known Ancovi gradually disappears from our field of vision, the heavy responsibility of whether the explorer can carry the "great banner of the United States" also follows. As a new generation of weather vane, the terminal discount of the explorer is also an important reference part, and the difference of more than 50,000 yuan undoubtedly makes the explorer appear more cost-effective, and the cost performance can also be said to be part of the strength.