DubiCars Car Spotlight — Toyota RAV4 — All You Need To Know About The Toyota RAV4 & Its Unique History

The compact crossover SUV segment is now one of the most popular and valuable automobile segments in the world. It was valued at $552.4 Billion in 2022 and is expected to grow exponentially over the coming decade. The story of this massive car segment, however, began a few decades ago with the launch of one mainstream SUV — the Toyota RAV4.

First launched in 1994, it was an SUV that was as unique as its name. RAV4 is an abbreviation for ‘Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive.’ It was the first series-production compact crossover SUV in the world and was expected to cater to niche audiences. However, it was widely accepted by buyers around the world. In 2019, the Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in the world and by February 2020, over 10 million units of the RAV4 were sold globally.

This edition of the DubiCars Car Spotlight focuses on the Toyota RAV, its generations, and its unique history. Read on to know more.

By the late 1980s, SUVs had been around for at least four decades while sedans had been around for almost a century. If one wanted an easy-to-drive, practical, and compact vehicle, one would pick a sedan or a hatchback. Those who wanted a robust vehicle that could get work done and go to places that sedans could only dream of picked an SUV. 

Toyota decided to do what no other manufacturer had done before — combine the benefits of 4WD with the fuel economy and usability of a compact car. That is exactly where the idea of a Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD came into being. Development of the vehicle codenamed 153T started in 1989 and Toyota decided to produce a 3-door as well as a 5-door version of the same vehicle — The RAV4.

The first-generation Toyota RAV4 was based on a new and unique platform created by combining a few elements of the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Carina. The result was a compact SUV that featured the design and styling language of Toyota SUVs of the time but offered the driveability and maneuverability of a sedan. 

The 3-door version was launched in 1994 while the 5-door version went on sale in 1995. The RAV4 was named the Automobile Of The Year in 1997. A rebadged version called the Guangtong GTQ6440 was sold in China. When it was launched, the RAV4 was powered by a 2.0-litre inline-4 engine putting out 119hp. In the Japanese market, a more powerful 177hp version of the same engine was available.

Just after launching the 5-door version of the first-generation model, the development of the second-gen Toyota RAV4 began in 1995. It was noticeably larger and the design and styling language had completely changed. It was still available in both 3-door and 5-door body styles in some markets while the American market got just the 5-door.

For the first time, the RAV4 was available with a diesel engine option — a 2.0-litre inline-4 unit was on offer in some markets. Three inline-4 petrol engines were on offer — 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, and 2.4-litre. Transmission duties were handled by either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

With the launch of the third-gen RAV4, Toyota got rid of the 3-door body style. Only a 5-door model was available and for the first time, it was also available in an extended-length seven-seater version. The seven-seater was initially sold only in North America and Japan. At a later stage, the shorter wheelbase version was sold alongside this seven-seater in Japan. The short-wheelbase version was called the Toyota Vanguard.

Production for exports ended in 2012 while production for the Japanese domestic market continued until 2016, four years beyond the arrival of the next generation. Diesel models were powered by a 2.2-litre inline-4 engine while those opting for petrol variants had multiple options to choose from depending on the region. For the first time, a 3.5-litre V6 engine option was available. Those wanting a smaller engine could pick between a 2.0-litre and a 2.5-litre inline-4.

This is where the Toyota RAV4 started becoming a thoroughly modern and urban area-focused SUV. The fourth generation featured fresh styling and looked like it belonged more in the urban jungle than out there in the elements. Almost a decade after creating the compact crossover SUV segment with the RAV4, Toyota had to redefine the SUV to make it more effective against competitors.

The spare wheel was no longer present on the tailgate and was moved underneath the car like all other SUVs in the segment. The thirsty petrol V6 was discontinued in favour of a hybrid powertrain comprising a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. A 4WD variant was also available with a second 50kW motor on the rear axle.

Conventional petrol and diesel engines were also available. Buyers of petrol variants could opt for either a 2.0-litre or a 2.5-litre unit while the diesel engines on offer were 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre inline-4 units. This is arguably the most popular of all RAV4 generations. In 2019 it was the best-selling SUV of any type and fourth best-selling passenger vehicle.

It is the most modern RAV4 yet and it looks and feels that way. Its design language mimics that found on other larger Toyota SUVs and pickup trucks. It looks more muscular than any other RAV4 generation and features the latest automotive technology. The fifth generation also provides the best driving experience yet, thanks to its GA-K platform that also underpins a variety of other Toyota and Lexus models.

With the arrival of the fifth generation, Toyota got rid of the diesel engines. Petrol variants are powered by either 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre inline-4 units. It is also available with a 2.5-litre hybrid just as the previous generation was. With this generation though, Toyota introduced a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV is powered by a 2.5-litre inline-4 engine combined with a 180hp electric motor. 

Electric vehicles have gained immense popularity over the last few years. However, Toyota started working on EVs several years ago and the RAV4 was one of the first EVs in the market. In 1997, the first gen Toyota RAV4 EV was launched. It was based on the first-gen RAV4 EV and it was manufactured until 2003. However, it was only available for fleet use. 

The EV was discontinued in 2003 and the RAV4 EV badge didn’t make a comeback until 2012. Toyota partnered with Tesla to develop the second-gen RAV4 EV, It debuted in 2012 and shared most of its drivetrain with the Tesla Model S. 

The fourth and fifth generations of the Toyota RAV4 are the most popular in the UAE. The fact that it is an SUV that comes with Toyota’s reliability and brand image with the efficiency of a sedan does play a major role in its popularity in the UAE.

Check out new Toyota RAV4 SUVs for sale in the UAE & used Toyota RAV4 SUVs for sale in the UAE.

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