Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is known for starting the wave of compact crossovers. The RAV4 is the best-selling sport utility vehicle of all time, having sold over 10 million units by February 2020. In February 2025, the RAV4 replaced the Ford F-150 as the top selling car in the United States, after nearly four decades of the F-150's reign.
It made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for 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 of a mid-size car. The vehicle's name is an abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", or "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", although not all models come equipped with the four-wheel drive system.
For the third-generation model, Toyota offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions were sold in Japan and Europe; long-wheelbase versions in Australia and North America. Toyota of Japan also sold the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard at Toyopet Store dealership chain from 2005 through 2016. RAV4 for the Japanese market were sold at two different Toyota dealership chains, Corolla Store and Netz.
First generation (XA10; 1994)
The first-generation RAV4, known as the XA10 series, was constructed on a unique platform that shared Carina and Corolla elements. It launched in Japan in May 1994. Design and development commenced in 1989 under code-name 153T, with design approval and start of production development in the second half of 1991 on the 3-door version and in 1993 for the 5-door version. In March 1995, the 5-door was launched and introduced to the US in January 1996, with standard dual airbags.The XA10 series was available in both three and five door versions. In the US, a 2.0-litre straight-four producing was available. 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. It was named the 1997 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine. The 1996-1997 model years had headlamps with a bracket push in type, dual filament bulb. The front running/turn signal lamps used older round socket dual filament bulbs. The rear used round socket type bulbs as well. In 1997 for the 1998 model year, the RAV4 was slightly restyled on the front and rear fascias, and a soft top three-door was made available. Power was increased slightly to. In June 1999, the two-door hardtop was dropped from the American lineup, leaving the five-door and soft top models. The 1998–2000 models used a single filament headlamp, with two different beams per housing opposed to the original single beam with dual filaments. The rear lamps use the more modern rectangular style bulbs. The interior has subtle changes such as different coloured seats, different coloured door panels, extra cup holders on certain models, and a digital odometer. In Japan, the 2.0-litre 3S-GE BEAMS engine with was also available. Some variants of the 1998 Toyota RAV4 were labeled as SXA11 rather than XA10, paired with an owner-given name of "RAV 4.1".
The 1996 RAV4 got between 21 and 23 miles per gallon of combined city/highway driving.
RAV4 EV
The RAV4 EV is a plug-in, all-electric variant of the RAV4. Produced from 1997 to 2003 for fleet lease, this "zero emission" model was only offered for public sale for seven months in 2002, in very small quantities in California. Powered by an advanced Nickel-metal hydride battery pack capable of storing 27 kWh, the RAV4 EV can go up to between charges, and came with a battery warranty. A total of 1,484 units were leased and/or sold in California, and as of mid-2012, almost 500 units were still in use.Facelift
Safety
Second generation (XA20; 2000)
The second-generation RAV4, known as the XA20 series, went on sale in July 2000. Like the previous model, the XA20 was available in three- and five-door configurations and was constructed on a platform that shared Carina and Corolla elements. Development began in 1995, with a design freeze in the first half of 1998. Styling was done at Calty Design Research Incorporated by Yasuhide Hosoda and Kevin Hunter from 1996 to 1997.The second-generation RAV4 was originally offered in a number of trim levels in the UK: NV was front-wheel drive, while NRG, GX, and VX were permanent four-wheel drive with differing levels of equipment. Although the RAV4 was available as a three-door in Europe, Asia and Australia, the American model was only available in a five-door configuration. A 1.8-litre inline-four engine producing, 2.0-litre inline-four engine producing, 2.4-litre inline-four engine producing, and a D-4D diesel engine were available.
In Australia, the RAV4 came in base Edge and upmarket Cruiser models in both three- and five-door configurations. All models came equipped with a brand-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring VVT, resulting in improved power and torque, as well as fuel consumption. Permanent four-wheel drive was featured. The second generation RAV4 enjoyed success in Australia, where it became the best-selling SUV in the country in 2001, overtaking its rival the Honda CR-V for the first time.
Facelift (2003)
In late 2003, the 2004 model RAV4 was given a styling update, improved equipment, and, in certain markets, a new engine. In the United States the safety structure was improved and Vehicle Stability Control made standard. The RAV4's 2.0-litre engine was upgraded with a new 2.4-litre engine in the US and Australia producing and. Other countries got mostly 5-door models with the 2.0-litre VVT-i engine. Automatic electric air conditioning also became available. European models got a new catalytic converter because of the new European emission policy. The new model also got an electric throttle.In Australia, for the facelift, the base Edge was renamed CV, and gained standard air conditioning. The CV also received painted bumpers, which came in either silver or body-coloured shades, depending on the body colour. In addition, the model range was given a subtle facelift, consisting largely of a new front bumper with circular fog lights and white turn signals instead of the older orange lights. In 2005, a new "CV Sport" model was added to the range in Australia, which included a non-functional bonnet scoop, giving the RAV4 a more aggressive appearance. The CV Sport model was short-lived, lasting only a year, and was introduced primarily to stimulate sales until the new model arrived in early 2006.
The second generation RAV4 had the highest proportion of female drivers among all makes and models in the United States, with the possible exception of the Volkswagen New Beetle, according to 2003–2004 registration and survey data.
Safety
Third generation (XA30; 2005)
The Toyota RAV4 was redesigned for the 2006 model year, using an all-new platform, and was first unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.The third-generation RAV4 was offered in two versions: a short- or a long-wheelbase model. The short-wheelbase model was sold only in Japan, Europe and New Zealand, with the long-wheelbase RAV4 sold in Australia, New Zealand and North America. In comparison with the previous generation model, the wheelbase of the short-wheelbase model was increased by, while exterior dimensions are longer and wider than the previous model. The extended-length version has an additional 21% in interior volume from the last generation, and had an optional third-row for two additional passengers. Since 2007, the extended-length RAV4 was also sold alongside its shorter counterpart in Japan as the Toyota Vanguard, which uses a revised front-end body work incorporating a revised grille, bumper, bonnet and headlamps.
The third-generation RAV4 went on sale in Japan in 2005 at Netz dealers. As the XA30 series RAV4 was not available with a 3-door option, the previous generation 3-door RAV4 was dropped in the beginning of 2007. The XA30 series RAV4 was sold in Japan until July 2016, where the XA40 was not to be offered. Toyota discontinued the Vanguard in November 2013 in favour of the redesigned XU60 Harrier.
For this generation, the RAV4 could be optioned with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive in North America and Japan; while most countries only sell the four-wheel drive version. In the Japanese market four-wheel drive RAV4, between 97 and 98 percent of power is typically distributed to the front wheels, until it senses a loss of traction then up to 45 percent of power will go the rear wheels. The European market model is able to be locked into a 50:50 ratio.
The third-generation RAV4 is also equipped with electric power steering system, an optional keyless entry system marketed as Smart Entry and Start System and nine airbags for the first time. In the interior, the RAV4 uses a two-tiered instrument panel which was designed to improve the feel of roominess.
Another addition for the third-generation RAV4 is the option of a V6 engine in some markets. It is a 3.5-litre 2GR-FE petrol engine that is rated at, which is capable of acceleration in around six seconds.
In 2008, the RAV4 was given a mid-cycle refresh in some markets, featuring a number of changes, including an all-new four-cylinder engine, and a redesigned front end and tweaked rear end. Much of the interior remains as before.
In 2010, the RAV4 underwent another facelift, based on the Vanguard's styling.
The vehicles were built in Toyota's Tahara, Aichi assembly plant, and under contract by Toyota Industries in its Nagakusa, Obu, Aichi plant. Beginning in November 2008, vehicles for the North American market were built in the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. at the new West Plant in Woodstock, Ontario. Beginning in March 2009, Chinese models began production by Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. in a joint-venture plant in Tianjin, China.
In 2015, the XA30 series RAV4 was awarded the WheelsTV pre-owned vehicle of the year title.