Quick to twig to a growing demand for a small sport utility vehicle with car-like driving manners, Toyota gave us the first generation RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle) back in 1996, as a '97 model year vehicle. It was an instant hit in Canada!

Although it may ride high and look like a truck the RAV4 has its' roots in the Toyota car line. It sits on a revised car platform and uses a modified version of a Celica powertrain and all-wheel-drive system (that came with the turbo version). The benefits are a lighter, more fuel efficient and agile road vehicle that's equally at home on a gravel road or a cottage trail. On the other hand, it's probably not a good vehicle choice if you're a more adventurous, real rough-stuff off-roader.

During the first two years of its existence the RAV4 was available in two body styles and three versions, a two-door (4x2) and four-door (4x2 and 4x4). In '98 a 4x4 version of the two-door was added to the line and the 2-litre engine got a power boost up to 127 horsepower. A new two-door soft top (4x2) was introduced in '99 and then it was dropped in 2000. The hard top line, both two and four-door versions, came with four-wheel-drive (4x4) only, during the final two years of this generation RAV4.

The RAV4 4x4 drivetrain has a locking centre differential, engaged by a pushbutton on the dashboard, and a limited-slip rear differential was option. However, it does not have the low-range in the four-wheel drive mode, like most of its larger SUV competitors.

1997 Toyota RAV4 2 door 1998 Toyota RAV4 Soft Top click images to enlarge

The most common owner complaints about the RAV4 are its lack of engine power, the limited amount of rear seat room and a sometimes awkward to use rear door that is hinged on the right side. However, the RAV4 also comes with the Toyota dependability gene and compared to most SUV's it's a fuel miser "extraordinare". A 4x2 with a manual transmission will consume only 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.7 L/100 km on the highway, according to the government fuel consumption guide.

On the safety front, the RAV4 did reasonably well in frontal impact tests done by NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration), but not as well in offset crash tests performed by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), where it received a "marginal" overall rating. A daytime running lamp relay that was not installed during assembly on some RAV4's made in '97 was the only official safety recall.

Right now demand is high and prices are also high in the small SUV market segment. And with gasoline prices also going through the roof that's unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, so an economical SUV is probably a good investment. The versatile Toyota RAV4 is certainly right for the times and a perfect fit with the active lifestyle generation.

Used Prices, Toyota RAV4, October 2001

Year Model Price today Price new 1997 4-door 4x4 $13,500 to $16,500 $24,693 1998 4-door 4x4 $15,600 to $18,600 $25,036 1999 4-door 4x4 $18,000 to $20,000 $25,653 2000 4-door 4x4 $20,600 to $23,600 $25,878

Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy.

A senior member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), Bob McHugh is a regular contributor to numerous automotive publications as well as Senior Technical Advisor at the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA).

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