Toyota RAV4. For active people
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover, produced since 1994 by the Japanese Toyota company. It can be either FWD or 4WD. Toyota RAV4 is one of the world’s most popular crossovers and the most popular one in the early 2018, when 408,703 such cars were sold. Today, five generations of the RAV4 5-door SUV exist in the market. The latest of these, starting in 2018, is offered in the market of Israel.
The very first RAV4 was considered by Toyota as a youth car for active recreation, hence the origin of the name - ‘Recreation Active Vehicle’, and the number ‘4’ indicated a permanent four-wheel drive.
First generation
The first-generation Toyota RAV4 was in production from 1994 to 2000 based on the Toyota Celica GT-Four sports car. First, the 3-door body was produced, and only in 1995, they started the production of 5-door bodies of the first-generation RAV.
Second generation
The second-generation RAV4 was produced between 2000 to 2005 and restyled in 2003. There were both 3-door and 5-door versions of the crossover. The second RAV4, as well as the first, could be front-wheel drive, these cars were offered mainly in the US and Japanese markets, and could have permanent all-wheel drive. The 2003 restyling gave the RAV4 an automatic transmission. This turned out to be a problem due to a faulty electronic control unit. Toyota announced a recall campaign and extended the warranty on 2001-2003 cars to 10 years.
Third generation
The third generation RAV4 was produced between 2005 and 2013 and restyled in 2008. The third-generation RAV4 lost a 3-door version. There were changes in the 4WD design. The third RAV4 has lost its usual 4WD. For the US market, the RAV4 was available with an elongated body. After the restyling in 2008, RAV4 received modified headlights, taillights, and the grille integrated into the front bumper. The steering wheel of the third-generation RAV4 received additional key controls, and the basic package includes a linear audio input of the multimedia system.
Fourth generation
The fourth-generation RAV4 was produced from 2012 to 2019 and restyled in 2015. The fourth-generation RAV4 was unveiled at the motor show in 2012 in LA, and sales began in early 2013. The fourth-generation RAV4 crossover has noticeably increased in size compared to its predecessor. Toyota RAV4 in the 4th generation has dramatically changed its exterior. Technically, it was still the third generation but with major updates in the exterior and interior. But the suspension of the fourth-generation RAV4 was refined for better comfort. The design has changed a lot, and the spare wheel moved from the back door to the area underneath the trunk floor. Sills and arches were reinforced with rubber coating.
Toyota RAV4 is one of the world’s most popular crossovers and the most popular one in the early 2018, when 408,703 such cars were sold.
The restyling of the Toyota RAV4 in 2015 provided a few changes: new LED headlights and taillights, new front bumper and grille, improved noise isolation, modified dashboard and improved multimedia display, but the most interesting change was introduction of a version with a hybrid system.
Fifth generation
The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 was unveiled in March 2018. Its sales started in mid-2019. The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 received new Dynamic Force series gasoline engines. These engines showed better combustion of the fuel-air mixture. Throughout the operating range, Dynamic Force Series engines deliver power gain, higher responsiveness, and lower consumption.
The 2018/2019 RAV4 offers two AWD systems: the conventional Dynamic Torque Control AWD, which automatically engages the rear wheels when the front wheels slip, and Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, an all-wheel drive transmission with two separate clutches on each of the rear wheels. In addition, there is a hybrid version of the new Toyota RAV4, which is also available in Israel today.
