The Toyota RAV4 was first launched in the US car market back in May 1994, which makes its precisely 20 years old now. Like any other great Toyota car, this capable compact crossover also brought about a kind of revolution in the US new car market.
2014 Toyota Rav4
Yes, the Japanese car leader Toyota is a pioneer and not only in the field of the very popular hybrid cars but also in a good many other things. For instance the very race of the so-called compact crossover was started by Toyota, to be precise the Toyota RAV4. The current market is full with the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape. However, the Toyota RAV4 ensured their presence; well by creating the compact crossover segment and by making it highly popular as well.
Back in the year 1986 Toyota along with its engineers and designers who always love to think off the track, came up with the idea of a very new model. The Japanese car major wanted to make an all-rounder of a vehicle that will offer the superior ride quality of a SUV, handling and practicality of a hatchback along with Toyota’s patent peerless reliability and value for money. Thus, Toyota just made the crossover segment greatly popular with its able RAV4.
Having fully materializing the idea into a concept model, Toyota first introduced to the RAV-Four concept model at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. The very name “RAV” means Recreational Active Vehicle while “4” represents its all 4 wheel drive system. Thus, the name was also nicely selected to reflect the prominent purpose of the vehicle.
The audience instantly responded to this new vehicle from Toyota back then, as they were amazed to find it very attractive, compact and fancy with all the rightly proportionate features. It also featured removable roof panels to facilitate an open view or to carry exceptionally tall luggage.
The high appreciation of the concept propelled Toyota to put the car into production and finally the first generation model of the RAV4 took birth. It was meticulously manufactured taking all the required time and used the very able Corolla platform and powered by the Camry’s 2 liter engine producing 127bhp.
Toyota went ahead by introducing the five door version of the RAV4 in 1995 and the green RAV4 EV came in 1997, a first one of its kind again. Not stagnating in the growth process, Toyota launched the second generation RAV4 in 2000 with a bit bigger proportions and a new 1.8 liter powertrain.
The current fourth generation model RAV4 was introduced in 2013. With time it has moved quite away from its original compact form by constantly growing in size. However, this again is to keep up with the flow of larger vehicles. The current RAV4 is meant for the young consumers complete with sharp and bold design and packed to the brim with alluring features.
We wish many happy returns to the Toyota RAV4!
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I am into the auto blogs field for quite a long time. Living my passion of reviewing cars.
Tagged: Toyota RAV4
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