Description, characteristics and generations of Toyota RAV4 cars

Toyota RAV4 — a compact crossover with a load-bearing frame (J-segment), one of the first in the world in its class, produced by a Japanese automaker "Toyota Motor" from 1994 to the present. The engine is located transversely in the front, the drive is full or only on the front wheels. The body is a three- or five-door station wagon. The car is designed taking into account such parameters as increased cross-country ability, fuel economy, small dimensions, increased cargo space, good maneuverability. "RAV4" is an abbreviation of the English phrase "recreational activity vehicle", which translates as "active recreation vehicle", and the number "4" means all-wheel drive. In Japan, the "RAV4" with an extended wheelbase is sold under the name "Toyota Vanguard".

From other global automakers, classmates and competitors of RAV4 are represented by the following cars - Chery Tiggo, Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Great Wall Hover H6, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Land Rover Freelander, Mitsubishi ASX, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-7, Opel Antara, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Duster, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Karoq, Subaru XV, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Volkswagen Tiguan.

First generation (XA10, 1994-2000)

The first generation was launched in May 1994 on a platform similar to "Carina" and "Corolla". The development of the car began in 1989. At first, they produced a three-door body with a hard top, in March 1995 they began producing a five-door station wagon, and in 1997 a convertible appeared. The three-door body had the following dimensions: length 3705 mm, width 1695 mm, height 1650 mm, wheelbase 2200 mm and curb weight of 1150 kg. The five-door body was 4115 mm long, 1695 mm wide, 1660 mm high, wheelbase 2410 mm and curb weight of 1150 kg. The front suspension is fully independent spring, the rear is also spring semi-independent. The brakes are disc in the front and drum in the rear. Production was carried out only in Japan.

There were two models of petrol engines, both with a volume of 2.0 liters (1998 cm³) with four cylinders arranged in a row, with a double camshaft and electronic fuel injection "EFI". One engine was a 3S-FE with a power output of 121 hp, increased in 1997 to 129 hp, the other was a 3S-GE with a power output of 177 hp. The gearbox was installed as a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

In 1997, the model was updated, slightly changing the front and rear of the car, and a three-door convertible appeared.

Second generation (XA20, 2000-2005)

The third generation went on sale in July 2000. The car is based on the Toyota MC platform. It was available in a three- or five-door body. The three-door car was 3860 mm long, 1735-1765 mm wide, 1670 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2280 mm and a curb weight of 1310 kg. The five-door body was 4230 mm long, 1735-1785 mm wide, 1680 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2490 mm and a curb weight of 1370 kg. Trim and equipment levels were "NV", "NRG", "GX" and "VX". Some options included anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, a CD player with six speakers, and power windows, mirrors, and seats. The car was assembled only in Japan.

Gasoline engines were only four-cylinder in-line, DOHC, with four valves per cylinder, with a volume of 1.8 liters (1794 cm³, 1ZZ-FE, 120 hp), 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 1AZ-FE, 145 hp) and 2.4 liters (2362 cm³, 2AZ-FE, 160 hp). For the first time, a 2.0-liter diesel engine was installed on the RAV4 (1995 cm³, 1CD-FTV, DOHC, turbocharged) with a capacity of 116 hp. The gearbox was a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

At the end of 2003, the model was updated, some equipment was improved, the car's safety was increased, and electronic stability control was included in all models.

RAV4 ХА20, 3 doors

RAV4 ХА20, interior

RAV4 ХА20, trunk

Third generation (XA30, 2005-2012)

The third generation was first shown to the public at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 2005, and sales began in November. The car is based on the platform "Toyota New MC". The body remained only a five-door station wagon with a wheelbase of 2560 mm and a length of 4395-4445 mm, a width of 1815 mm, a height of 1685 mm and a curb weight of 1500-1665 kg. In some countries, there was also a body with an extended wheelbase (2660 mm) with a length of 4620 mm, a width of 1855 mm, a height of 1720-1755 mm and a curb weight of 1590-1690 kg. The steering became electric instead of hydraulic in previous generations. With a slightly modified front end, the car is sold in Japan as "Toyota Vanguard". Assembly took place in Canada, China and Japan.

The range of petrol engines has expanded, mostly four-cylinder in-line engines, but one six-cylinder V-shaped one has appeared:

• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 1AZ-FE) with a capacity of 150 hp.
• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 1AZ-FSE) with a capacity of 147 hp.
• 2.0 liters (1987 cm³, 3ZR-FAE) with a capacity of 144 hp.
• 2.4 liters (2362 cm³, 2AZ-FE) with a capacity of 177 hp.
• 2.5 liters (2494 cm³, 2AR-FE) with a capacity of 179 hp.
• 3.5 liters (3456 cm³, 2GR-FE, V6) with a capacity of 269 hp.

There were two four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines, both with a volume of 2.2 liters (2231 cm³), one "2AD-FTV" with a capacity of 134-148 hp, the other "2AD-FHV" with a capacity of 174 hp. The gearbox was five- and six-speed manual, four-, five- and six-speed automatic, and for the first time in the history of the model, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) appeared.


In 2006, the car was tested by the European committee "Euro NCAP" for safety for passengers and pedestrians, see the results in the table.

In 2008, the car's appearance was updated and a new petrol engine was added. In 2011, another minor update was made.

Fourth generation (XA40, 2012-2018)

In November 2012, the next generation with the code "XA40" was shown to the public at the annual Los Angeles Auto Show. The car arrived in stores in September 2013. It is assembled on the platform "Toyota New MC", which is also used for "Avensis", "Auris", "Corolla", "Previa", "Prius", "Verso" and others, including for some cars of the Lexus brand. The body was only a five-door station wagon with a wheelbase of 2660 mm, a length of 4570-4605 mm, a width of 1845 mm, a height of 1670 mm and a curb weight of 1540 kg. Production was carried out in Canada, China and Japan.

Petrol engines were only four-cylinder, 2.0-litre (1987 cm³, 3ZR-FAE, 144 hp) and 2.5 liters (2494 cm³, 2AR-FE, 179 hp). There were three 2.0-liter diesel engines (1995 cm³, 2WW, 143 hp), 2.2 liters (2231 cm³, 2AD-FTV, 134-148 hp) and 2.2 liters (2231 cm³, 2AD-FHV, 174 hp). Also, for the first time, a hybrid version with a 2.5-liter petrol engine was released (2494 cm³, 2AR-FXE) with a total power of 197 hp. The transmission is six-speed automatic or manual, as well as a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

In 2013, the European committee "Euro NCAP" conducted crash tests of the car to determine its safety during collisions. See the table for the results. In the assessments of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2013 and 2014 models received a "good" rating for head restraints and seats, roof strength, side impact and partial offset frontal impact. The small overlap frontal impact test received a "poor" rating. In 2015, the car was modified and received a "good" rating in this test.

In 2013, two concept cars with the name were presented at the Geneva Motor Show "RAV4 Adventure" and "RAV4 Premium" with an improved appearance. "Adventure" began serial production in 2017.

At the New York International Auto Show in April 2015, the updated fourth-generation "RAV4" was shown. The front and rear lights became LED, and a color LCD display was installed instead of the speedometer.

Fifth generation (XA50, 2018-present)

In December 2017, a concept car was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show "Toyota FT-AC", which was similar in size and shape to the "RAV4". At the New York International Auto Show in March 2018, a production model of the fifth generation of the "XA50" series was unveiled. The car is based on the "TNGA-K" platform, which is also used for the "Avalon", "Camry" and "Lexus ES". The body was still a five-door station wagon with the following dimensions - length 4595 mm, width 1855 mm, height 1685 mm, wheelbase 2690 mm and curb weight of 1530-1720 kg. Equipment and trim levels were called "LE", "XSE", "XLE", "XLE Premium", "Adventure" and "Limited". The car was assembled in Canada, the USA, South Africa and Japan.

The only engines left are petrol four-cylinder 2.0-liter engines (1987 cm³, M20A-FKS, 175 hp) and 2.5 liters (2487 cm³, A25A-FKS, 205 hp). The gearbox was a six-speed manual, eight-speed automatic "AWF8F35" or continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid car used a 2.5-liter gasoline engine (2487 cm³, A25A-FXS) with a total power of 222 hp.

RAV4 ХА50, view side

RAV4 ХА50, interior

RAV4 ХА50, trunk