The good news about Toyota's RAV4 is that it is finally here. Much ballyhooed as the sport-utility vehicle from a quality manufacturer, that combines fun driving with MTV-era styling and a sensible price, the RAV4 is already a smash in Europe and Japan.
The bad news is that there still aren't many RAV4s around, and it will be several months before you can buy the cheapest one - with two doors, a manual transmission and two-wheel-drive.The truly ugly news is that although this vehicle seemed to be aggressively positioned when Toyota announced its suggested prices, the reality is the one you want can't be had for only $18,000. The one I drove was nicely equipped, but its nearly $23,000 sticker price stunned me. Plus USA Today and others have reported that dealers are adding markups to the sticker to capitalize on the vehicle's newness, scarcity and popularity.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. The RAV4 was supposed to appeal to buyers who were left behind when sport-utility prices skyrocketed even faster than the sales of these popular vehicles. Finding a $35,000 sport-ute is much easier than finding a $25,000 one.
To me, the four-door, four-wheel-drive RAV4 needs to be cheaper than a Camry or an Accord or a Taurus. At that price, it's a good car for a college grad just starting out or a growing family looking for a second vehicle. Now, it's around the same price as those sedans.
The shame here is that this is truly a vehicle that should capture the car-buying public's imagination. The RAV4 is based on Toyota's all-wheel-drive Celica All-Trac model from Japan. That lineage means it feels like a car on the road. Yet, its shape and demeanor shout sport-utility. You sit upright, with a better, taller view of the road. The four-wheel-drive system stays on full-time. The exterior styling, a nice combination of rugged, trendy and cute, is instantly appealing.
And the RAV4 is a blast to drive. The car's image helps here - this is a vehicle that you want to have fun in - but the sense is that you've entered a small sedan rather than a compact pickup. Power isn't the RAV4's strong suit. The only engine is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder that was sold in the Camry from 1987 to 1991. The 16-valve, dual-cam engine has been slightly reworked to give it 120 horsepower and a more truck-like pulling torque.
The automatic transmission feels Toyota smooth.
On the road, this vehicle does a nice job of bridging truck and car characteristics. It's smoother than most trucks, but it still has a bit of bounce and roll. Most drivers, I think, will be quite pleased. Especially compared to relative rough rides of competitive vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler, Geo Tracker and Suzuki Sidekick.
Serious off-roaders will quickly note that the RAV4 doesn't have a low-speed transfer case that would make it more equipped for four-wheel-drive duty. Toyota knows this and doesn't care. Very few people actually are serious off-roaders. For those who dabble in it, the RAV4's full-time four-wheel-drive system and 7.7 inches of ground clearance will probably suffice. A push-button limited slip differential is an available option.
On the outside, the RAV4 wears its sportiness for all to see. It's a small vehicle that looks bigger than it really is. Side body moldings and bright paints and detailing give it a youthful appearance. On the inside, the boldly patterned fabric seats and rugged large door handles also should appeal to younger buyers. On the two-door version, the easily stowed dual sunroofs are a nice touch.
Toyota now offers a large family of sport-utility vehicles. The 4Runner, which competes with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Nissan Path-finder, is substantially revised for 1996. The Lexus LX450, a version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, is just now in showrooms. Below those three models comes the RAV4. It speaks to a different generation and is an adventuresome vehicle for the usually staid Toyota. But, if the reality is that dealers try to sell four-door, four-wheel-drive RAV4s for $25,000, then the vehicle will have missed its mark, and Toyota will have missed a great opportunity.
A word about the name: In Toyota-speak, RAV stands for Recreational Active Vehicle and 4 stands for four-wheel-drive. Of course, the two-wheel-drive version will be called RAV4, too, not RAV2. Also, I've already heard folks pronounce the name as if it was "rave," while others spell it out as R-A-V-4. Toyota says RAV is pronounced like the mav in maverick.
NUTS AND BOLTS
What we drove: 1996 Toyota RAV4, a four-wheel-drive compact sport-utility with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.
Base price: $18,098
Price as tested (includes options, California emissions and delivery charge): $22,728
Curb weight: 2,844 pounds
Length: 162 inches
Turning circle (curb to curb): 36.1 feet
Maximum trailer weight: 1,500 pounds
Standard features: Full-time four-wheel-drive; dual air bags; side-door impact beams; split, folding rear seat; rear window defogger.
Options on test vehicle: California emissions; four-wheel anti-lock brakes; air conditioning; 16-inch alloy wheels; limited slip differential; upgrade package with power windows, power locks, power windows, upgraded cassette with speakers; floor mats.
EPA figures: 22 mpg (city), 27 mpg (highway)
Fuel: Unleaded regular