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THE TOYOTA RAV4 Reviewed by Colin Hefferon  The Toyota RAV4 Before we begin this review, let's have a short quiz. Ready? Guess who started the cute-ute revolution? If you said Honda or Toyota, or even Suzuki, guess again. It was Lada, the Russian manufacturer, which beat everyone by a couple of decades with a cute and remarkably rugged little 4X4 called the Niva. (And yes, Nivas were sold in North America.) But for those of you with shorter memories, better give credit to Kia, for the Sportage. Toyota's RAV4, however, wins the familiarity award. And after a successful inaugural run from 1997 to 2000, it was completely redesigned for the 2001 model year. The new design has been spectacularly well-received and for 2003, remains virtually unchanged. The first RAV4 was a brilliantly-conceived and well-made, if slightly funky-looking, vehicle. It was reasonably priced, cheap to operate and, reportedly, dead reliable. This second-generation RAV4 is still reasonably priced and still dead reliable but all the funkiness has been designed out. Nevertheless I think it's one of the most attractive, if not the most attractive, sport-utility designs available short of the Moon Walker. Elements of the Lexus RX 300 - one of the best-selling SUVs on the market - can be seen in the RAV4's lovely lines. While not as big or as powerful (and certainly not as expensive) as the RX 300, the RAV4 seems a neat compromise between the dream and reality of SUV ownership. Compared with the Lexus, it promises much reduced gas consumption, significantly lowered operating costs (especially depreciation), equally attractive styling, and greater maneuverability for squeezing through tight city streets. Though a bit smaller than its full-size cousin, you still sit up high in the RAV4 and look out over most other cars, just as you do in a full size SUV. The second row of seats in the RAV4 will fold tight against the front seats. When the seats are in this position, Toyota's Raver will carry quite a bit of stuff. With the folding rear seats removed, on the other hand, it will carry a heck of lot more stuff. Unfortunately, these seats do not fold into the floor - unlike, for example, the third row seats on many minivans and some full size SUVs. So if you're frequently hauling long or awkward items, you should take this into account. The RAV4 comes with a very fuel-efficient and extremely sophisticated 4-cylinder engine featuring variable-valve-timing (VVT-i). The only engine available, it develops 148 hp @ 6000 rpm and 142 lbs/ft of torque @ 4000 rpm. What that means, in essence, is that this relatively small engine has been engineered to behave like a much larger engine in the lower and middle speed ranges. Which is where it counts most. In normal driving — 95% of the driving you'll ever do — you'll never get the impression of sacrifice with this vehicle. Thanks to well-chosen ratios in the optional 4-speed automatic, the RAV4 moved off quickly from a full stop and accelerated strongly up to about 50 mph before acceleration began to taper off. This engine/transmission combination provides more-than-satisfactory performance and represents a very reasonable compromise between the necessity of achieving the kind of overall operating efficiency you actually need, and the pavement-shredding acceleration and big top-end you think you want. (Philosophy lesson for all car buyers interested in the environment: Learn to recognize the difference between "need" and "want." EPA mileage figures are 22 mpg city, and 27 highway, with automatic transmission and AWD. If you're a do-it-yourself type of guy or gal, the 5-speed manual shifter, which comes comes standard on both FWD and AWD models, achieves slightly better fuel economy, according to the official EPA ratings.) AWD (full-time 4WD) is optional on the RAV4 (though standard on Ravers sold in Canada where weather — except on the mild Pacific coast — makes it almost a necessity; the marketing nerds who make these decisions have never visited Vermont or Colorado in winter!) AWD, in case you're not aware, cuts in seamlessly to provide added stability on wet/snowy/icy roads and, for the benefit of southerners, loose gravel surfaces. It also provides extra grip in snow and slush. In most parts of the country, though, you should able to get by with the standard FWD system. A good set of winter tires will go a long way towards compensating for AWD, at least in the experience of this tester, who has driven all sorts of vehicles in weather you only want to watch on television. Other safety features include two front airbags and — in a page from the Volvo playbook — "WIL" (which stands for "whiplash injury lessening") seats. The RAV4 has a comfortable cabin with both driver and the front passenger seats adjustable for tilt and rake; the driver's seat is also adjustable for height. Lots of storage compartments and cubbyholes (some of which, I assume, also double as cupholders) are found scattered about the cabin, as befits a family-type hauler. An almost-limitless list of options is available - everything from extra-fat (235/60R16) tires and alloy wheels to a tow hitch providing 1500 lbs. towing capacity. In fact, Toyota makes much of what's offered on its full-size offerings available on the RAV4. So there you go: Unless you've got something to prove in the size category, you may not need anything bigger. And you'll notice the saving in overall operating costs in this compact beauty compared with, say, the bulkier and much more costly RX 300. While the gasoline-engined RAV4 is virtually unchanged for 2003 (why mess with a great thing?) Toyota's engineers have not been sitting on their hands. A new, fully electric version of the RAV4 has also been announced for 2003; sales will initially be restricted to California, where Toyota is setting up a network of 250 filling stations. While this gesture will be much appreciated, many observers of the automobile scene had been hoping Toyota might see fit to install the wonderful (and more practical in present realities) Prius hybrid gasoline/electric system. Ford plans it for the Escape, why not the RAV4? As we noted in the beginning, the RAV4 is an evolutionary vehicle. Assuming you're not planning a revolution, be assured it provides Toyota's legendary reliability in a cute and functional package. If only the Russian revolutionists hadn't been there first. Darn! Photos © Toyota Vancouver-based Colin Hefferon regularly tests and reviews new vehicles. Though an automotive enthusiast by nature, Colin takes the perspective of the average car owner. Which, after all, is most of us! Colin Hefferon is the road test editor for About Cars where more of his car reviews may be found. |
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