TOYOTA RAV4

The 'Toyota RAV4' (pronounced "rav-four") is a compact crossover SUV built and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It was introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994 and in North America in 1996 to cater to consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time Four-wheel drive, along with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a smaller car. The early success of the RAV4 paved the way for other compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute, and the Subaru Forester. Its name stands for "Recreational Activity Vehicle, 4-wheel drive," although not all RAV4s have four wheel drive, which is optional in some countries.

Contents

First generation (1994–2000)

Second generation (2001–2005)

Third generation (2006–present)

Trivia

External links

First generation (1994–2000)

The RAV4 was originally based on the Corolla platform, and was offered in both two and four-door versions. In the US, a 2.0 L I4 engine producing 120 hp was offered. Both Front wheel drive and Four-wheel drive were available, and the RAV4 could be had with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. In 1998, the RAV4 was slightly restyled on the front and rear fascias, and a soft-top two-door was made available exclusively in the US market. Horsepower was increased slightly to 127. In 1999, the two-door hardtop was dropped from the American lineup, leaving the 4-door and soft-top models.
One interesting version, the RAV4 EV, was an all-electric 'zero-emission' model offered for sale in low quantities in California. These models came with a 60,000-mile battery warranty, and the vehicles still command high prices on the used-car market. One sold in 2006 on eBay for over US$50,000.
A significant criticism of the gasoline-powered first generation RAV4s, often called '4.1s', was that they were underpowered, and had relatively poor fuel economy via their 3SFE engines that were designed for earlier Camrys and 1987-1989 Toyota Celica GT, 1990-1993 S-R and Z-R, as well as 1994-1999 SS-I. Later generations of RAV4s, the so-called '4.2s' and '4.3s', have addressed this concern. Like most other Toyotas, all RAV4s have earned the reputation of high reliability, and have enjoyed high resale values.

Second generation (2001–2005)

The second generation RAV4 was offered in a single trim level and still came with front or all-wheel drive. It continued on the Corolla platform. Although the RAV4 was available as a two-door in Europe and Asia, the American model was now only available in a four-door configuration. A 2.0 L I4 engine producing 148 hp was the only engine available. Some RAV4s came with anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, a six-speaker CD stereo and power windows, mirrors and seats. A sport package added a mesh grille, hood scoop, color-keyed door handles, a roof rack, silver sport pedals, heated mirrors, gray-painted bumpers and fender flares, and sport fabric seats. Other options included alloy wheels, heated seats, a sunroof and keyless entry. 16-inch wheels were standard; larger tires were available on all wheel drive models.
In 2004, the RAV4 was slightly restyled, and a 2.4 L I4 engine producing 161 hp replaced the 2.0 L (Except most European models) engine as standard equipment. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls were made standard. The second generation RAV4 has proved extremely popular in Australia, where it became the best-selling SUV in the country in 2001. In 2004, it was the best-selling compact SUV.

Third generation (2006–present)

The Toyota RAV4 was completely redesigned for the 2006 model year, on an all-new platform. It still has the 2AZ-FE 2.4 L four-cylinder engine, which now produces 166 hp, up five from the previous year. At present, only the North American RAV4 is also fitted with the 2GR-FE 3.5 L V6 engine. The Australian RAV4, currently fitted with only the 2.4L four-cylinder engine, will also be introduced with the 2GR-FE V6 engine towards the end of 2007. The new RAV4 topped Toyota SUV sales in the United States for the first time.
The RAV4 is larger by 21 percent in interior volume from the last generation and now has an available third-row seat for two small children (US and Canada only). The RAV4 can still be had in either two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive in the United States; however, most countries, including Canada, only sell the four-wheel-drive version.
The third-generation RAV4 is built on one of two possible wheelbases: a short wheelbase for the Asian and European markets, and a long wheelbase for the North American and Australian markets.
Currently, the RAV4 is produced in two locations in Japan: Toyota's Tahara, Aichi assembly plant, and under contract by Toyota Industries in its Nagakusa, Obu, Aichi plant. However, when Toyota's Woodstock, Ontario, Canada assembly plant comes online in 2008, models sold in North America will be assembled exclusively there (effective May 2009).

Trivia

★ In 2006, the RAV4 was the grand prize of Tim Hortons "Roll Up the Rim to Win" contest in Canada. Two families began fighting over the RAV4 after their daughters found the winning cup in the garbage.

★ In the movie Apocalypse Clarkson, Jeremy Clarkson famous host of ''Top Gear'', had a dump truck bury a series 1 RAV4 with 15 tons of cow manure. [1]

External links

★ Toyota RAV4 at Toyota.com

★ TOYOTA Truck & SUV Club - Forums and More.

★ RAV4World A community of RAV4 enthusiasts.