The first RAV4 established a new template for the burgeoning compact SUV segment: unitized body construction sharing some passenger-car components four-wheel independent suspension standard front-wheel drive with available full-time all-wheel drive higher ride height than typical passenger cars and a design optimized for passenger room and cargo versatility. Meanwhile, in the Japanese market, Toyota had already found success with the RAV4 introduced in 1994, which had greatly exceeded sales projections. In a smaller SUV, this type of engineering generally yielded a bumpy, unrefined ride. The small SUVs in the market at the time that the original RAV4 debuted were built much like their larger cousins, using body-on-frame construction and solid-axle rear suspension. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offers a new SE Hybrid grade, as well as a multitude of exterior and interior upgrades across all grades.īy the early 1990s, SUVs were significantly rising in popularity as more buyers selected them for such defining features as enhanced ride height, ample cargo room and availability of four-wheel drive. With each of its five model generations, the RAV4 offered increased room, comfort, versatility and performance while delivering higher fuel efficiency. Now in its fifth generation, the Toyota RAV4 remains the leader in its size class, and it has also been America’s best-selling, non-pickup passenger vehicle for the past four years. With ride, handling and comfort characteristics more akin to sedans than SUVs, the first RAV4 essentially created the template for what became the “crossover SUV” or just “crossover.” This unique vehicle left some mighty big footsteps to follow.įollowing the RAV4’s arrival, the floodgates soon opened, with crossovers of all sizes and shapes eventually coming to dominate the SUV category and, ultimately, the U.S. PLANO, Texas (November 12, 2021) – It’s been a quarter-century since Toyota introduced the groundbreaking model that went on to define a whole new type of passenger vehicle category. Enticing Exterior and Interior Upgrades Across All 2022 RAV4 Grades.Arriving in 1996, RAV4 caused seismic shift to crossovers and is today’s segment-leader.
SEE ALSO Toyota RAV4 Content Archive: Reviews, Specs, Previews, Video, Images, 1996-2021
SEE ALSO The Auto Channel Toyota News Archive 1994-2021 SEE ALSO 25 Years Of Toyota RA4 Crash Data SEE ALSO Over 20 Years Of Toyota RAV4 Specs and Prices SEE ALSO 1996 Toyota RAV4 Review - The Auto Channel