Background: While the Toyota RAV4 can’t take credit for inventing the small, front- wheel- drive sport utility segment, it certainly can take a bow for revitalizing the genre. For years during the late 1980s and 1990s, Japan’s Suzuki Motors had marketed the diminutive Sidekick sport utility in the United States. General Motors also had a version of this vehicle sold under the Tracker name through its now defunct, import-fighting Geo division. Both were inexpensive, noisy vehicles with bouncy suspensions that made headway with first-time buyers on a budget, but few others seemed to care.
By the mid 1990s, Toyota took notice of the potential for a compact car-based SUV tailor made for paved roadways rather than dusty off-road courses. Thus the RAV4 (recreational active vehicle with four-wheel drive) was born in Japan in 1994 and made its way to the states by 1996. The RAV4 was an instant sales success on both sides of the Pacific. The stylish, first-generation RAV4 not only appealed to first-timers on a budget, but many others enjoyed the slightly higher seating position and good mileage this vehicle provided. Soon, other front-wheel drive, car-based competitors began appearing. Honda Motors debuted the CR-V in 1997 and eventually began outselling RAV4.
Since the mid 1990s Hyundai, Kia, Ford and Mazda have introduced small, entry-level SUVs of their own. Even General Motors retweaked the long-running Tracker, now sold through Chevrolet. More are on the way. During its first couple of years, RAV4 was available in two door and four door versions. By the 2000 model year, only four-door RAV4s were being shipped to the United States. Throughout its short history front-wheel, two-wheel drive versions have been offered as well as four-wheel drive versions.
In the 2001 model year, Toyota introduced a completely redesigned, larger, roomier and more potent second-generation RAV4. Not much changes in the 2002 model year with the exception of more exterior color choices. Honda introduces its second-generation CR-V in the 2002 model year. Toyota’s 2002 model lineup features five sport utilities: car-based RAV4 and Highlander, and the larger, more rugged 4Runner, Land Cruiser and Sequoia. In a few months, Toyota debuts the 2003 Matrix, a cross-over vehicle meshing the best of a small SUV and a sports car. All RAV4s are assembled in Toyota City, Japan.
Engine/trim level: The RAV4 marketing strategy is rather straight forward. One four-cylinder, inline engine is offered in two wheel or full-time four-wheel-drive selections. Five-speed manual transmission comes standard and four-speed automatic is optional. Four option packages (“L,” leather trim, power and quick order) are available in both drivetrain selections. The 2.0-liter, 16-valve, double overhead cam engine with electronic fuel injection produces 148 horsepower. The first-generation four-cylinder engine cranked out 127 horsepower.
Standard equipment: Standard equipment is rather sparse while options are plentiful not unusual in an entry-level vehicle targeted to those on budgets. Adjustable steering wheel, rear window defogger, power steering, four-wheel independent suspension, intermittent front and rear wipers, four-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo and sun visors with extenders are available at no cost. Options include air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, moonroof, power locks, leather-trimmed seats, power mirrors, rear spoiler, roof rack, fog lamps, compact disc player with six-speaker stereo and rear privacy glass. Several items can be grouped in packages.
Price: Toyota supplied the Daily Herald with a four-wheel drive RAV4 with a staring price of $18,975. This number, however, reflects a rather stripped-down version. With just about every option available, our loaded RAV4 ended up at $26,769 including a $480 destination charge. The lowest-priced RAV4, a two-wheel drive edition with five-speed manual checks in at $15,285, with automatic transmission, the 4 x 2 lists for $16,255.
A 4 x 4 with manual transmission has a starting point of $16,311. Honda’s lowest-priced 2002 CR-V, a 4 x 2 with manual transmission, checks in at $19,682. A 4 x 2 four-cylinder two-door Chevrolet Tracker with five-speed manual lists at $14,945. A four-door Ford Escape with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual checks in at $17,895.
Interior: Toyota usually does a good job of providing lots of little storage areas for loose change and assorted travel treasures, and RAV4 is no exception. In between front bucket seats are a hand-operated parking brake, dual beverage holders, small storage bin hinged in the back and other areas for storage in front of and behind the transmission shifter. A release lever unlocking the outside fuel door is found near the floor, left of the driver’s bucket seat. The driver’s door is home to all four power window controls plus the power lock button, all presented at a 45-degree angle. Power mirrors regulate from a dashboard square at the far left side of the dashboard. The turn signal stalk is home to headlight activation.
A right-side stalk operates both the front and rear windshield wipers. A second right side appendage monitors cruise control. The instrument panel has three, deep-set, circular analog gauges; a left side speedometer, small central tachometer and right side fuel and temperature gauge with secondary, vertical gear shift indicator. The center console region features the rectangular stereo system with good-sized radio frequency pre-set buttons near the top with air conditioner button, digital clock and hazard light button below. The ventilation system utilizes three, easy-to-grab dials regulating temperature, fan speed and direction.
Seating: Cloth seating comes standard, leather trimmed cushions are extra. The back seat backs fold down with a 50/50 split onto the cushions once a pull strap on top of the seat is yanked out slightly. Each seat can than tilt forward or be completely removed from the vehicle. With the rear seat up, 29.2 cubic feet of cargo room is available.
With the rear seats removed the area opens to 68.3 cubic feet. Since the spare tire is kept outside, mounted to the hatch door, Toyota incorporated hidden storage space under the cargo floor. Ceiling grab handles are found above all doors except the driver’s. Two travelers fit most comfortably in back, three would be a bit cramped. Front seat riders enjoy the slightly higher seating positions than what’s customarily found in sedans or coupes. And maneuvering into the vehicle requires a sit down, not a step up motion larger SUVs demand.
Fuel economy: The four-cylinder RAV4 generates above average fuel economy. Our test-drive four-wheel-drive edition with automatic transmission generated 23 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 m.p.g. along the highway. The fuel leader is the two-wheel drive manual transmission version averaging 25 m.p.g. in the city and 31 m.p.g. Highway. The tank holds 14.7 gallons of regular, 87-octane unleaded fuel. By comparison, a two-wheel drive, four-cylinder Chevrolet Tracker with five-speed manual transmission averages 23 m.p.g. City and 26 m.p.g. Highway.
Dimensions:
Overall length: 167.1 inches
Overall width: 68.3 inches
Overall height: 58.9 inches
Curb weight: 2,943 pounds
Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds
Safety features: Dual reduced-force front air bags, side impact door beams and rear door child safety latches come standard. Anti-theft device, daytime running lights, keyless entry and four-wheel anti-lock brakes are extras. Traction control and side air bags are not offered.
Exterior: This second-generation RAV4 has larger dimensions than the first incarnation. An inch or more increased all height, length, width and wheelbase. Headlights have increased in size and the front grille is more pronounced. The first go-around in 1996 incorporated a softer, more “cutesy” exterior while 2001 and 2002 versions are more masculine and muscular. Large, trapezoid-shaped headlight housings adorn each side of the front grille, extending to the fenders. Optional fog lights are on each side of the air dam below.
A mast radio antenna extends up from the right front fender while the gas tank door is found on the left rear fender. The rear door, hinged at the right side, swings out (not up) from the left once the left-side flush-mounted handle is pulled. Fender taillights flank each side of the door. Toyota mounts the full-size spare tire on the back door inside a hard casing; but it’s low enough as not to block rear-view mirror perception. Strap-like, body-colored handles adorn the four side doors. Sixteen-inch tires come standard. Upgraded five-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels are extra.
Final thoughts: Throughout its history, Toyota has made a habit of improving on under-performing ideas. When small, fuel-efficient cars were vogue in the 1970s, General Motors and Ford counted on Vegas and Pintos to pull them through. Both are now no more than footnotes in history. At the same time Toyota had the dependable Corolla, a diminutive vehicle still generating decent sales numbers to this day. When the compact, light duty SUV segment seemed to stall in the mid 1990s, Toyota showed the world how it’s done right. Both RAV4 and CR-V are powered by four-cylinder engines.
More and more compact rivals including Tracker and Ford’s Escape are offering the choice of four or six-cylinder powertrains. Toyota shoppers looking for more power punch must march up the trim level ladder and look at the slightly larger car-based Highlander SUV. Keep in mind while the starting price is a relatively low $15,285, this figure represents a stripped down RAV4 with no air conditioning and manual transmission. Popular options quickly add up the price. Workmanship, however, is pure Toyota. Japan’s largest automaker set the standard for long-running, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines such as the one powering RAV4. |
