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Toyota RAV-4 wagon in new treatment looks tough, acts strong
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. -- Misty clouds, hanging like halos around granite-capped mountains in the woodsy Ozarks of Arkansas, still drizzle with rain that sops the forest and fills ruts of a two-track trail we're driving to reach a remote campsite in the wilderness.
The vehicle for this backwoods foray -- Toyota's RAV-4 sport-utility wagon in a new generational design that's larger, more substantial and powerful than the original -- has a cargo bay stacked from floor to ceiling with camping gear as the wagon works like a motorized mule to haul the bulky load of packs and tents and cooking equipment.
It's the no-sweat way to trek into the outback world, and our RAV-4 quickly demonstrates that a slick and muddy trail through the forest turns into a no-sweat chute.
Nubby mud and snow tires ply through all puddles as the four-wheel-drive system automatically distributes muscle from a new four-in-line engine to all wheels and keeps on rolling ahead.
The wagon's platform, hiked higher in the four-wheel-drive edition, easily clears rocks and roots along the trail, and the suspension -- independent at all corners with struts in front and a double wishbone arrangement in back -- allows wheels to absorb all lumps and bumps over uneven terrain while floating the chassis smoothly.
Ample power from the four-pack plant motivates this RAV-4 in translation through a malleable four-speed automatic transmission, with a thumb button set on the shifter stalk to lock out the overdrive top gear.
For this run creeping slowly down the trail, only bottom gears are needed and the stalk notches into the second slot.
Noise from motor revving and tires slogging through rough stuff seems muted and discrete from the cabin as confirmation of substantial measures taken to isolate the passenger compartment and stem all sounds and mechanical vibrations through new insulating measures, such as sound baffles, double seals on doors and thicker window glass.
The cabin remains watertight in a cozy enclosure fitted with comfortable seats and handy accessories.
Fine fabric in a two-tone design covers the front buckets and rear bench, and a fresh design for the dash panel adds easy-to-work knobs and dials for center controls of audio and climate systems plus a cluster of vivid instruments with round analog gauges dressed in bright white faces and ringed with brushed aluminum bands that also appear around center and side air vents.
This stylish and decorative character also continues in the new exterior design of RAV-4, which makes a strong statement with its bold prow, flared wheelwells and shapely sides united by thick protective cladding fixed on front and rear bumpers and side door panels.
Clearly, the new treatment confirms that Toyota's original cute ute design has evolved into a more serious and useful wagon.
Toyota introduced the RAV-4 to the home market of Japan in 1994, then brought it to America in 1996. Its alphanumeric name represents a Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel-drive.
The first RAV-4 was a novel concept that defied the traditional body-on-frame organization of a sport-utility wagon built on a truck chassis by instead using the unified structure of a front-wheel-drive car, Toyota's Celica coupe.
It also employed the suspension of a car. Instead of the solid rear axle of a typical truckish SUV, the RAV-4 carried independent suspension elements at every wheel. This brought more control over the vehicle for a driver and, when venturing away from pavement, more comfortable ride sensations for riders.
With the car-like suspension and quick-to-respond rack and pinion steering installed, RAV-4 seemed to eliminate all the effort required to drive a sport-ute, and in urban traffic it was easy to maneuver and behaved like a small sedan rather than a truck.
Imitators followed Toyota's lead with RAV-4, and some of the competitors brought refinements and larger powertrains, plus luxury features absent on RAV-4.
Toyota's new design for RAV-4 addresses shortcomings of the original by creating a more substantial vehicle expanded in scale and equipped with a stronger engine and more comfortable quarters.
The new package -- still based on a Celica platform -- grows in all directions.
Wheelbase stretches over three inches longer and the track width expands by almost two inches, which fashions a larger platform. Likewise, the overall length and width of the structure increase, ultimately forging more headroom and legroom for up to five passengers, as cargo space in the rear multiplies to 30 cubic feet.
Toyota developed a new engine to power a new RAV-4.
The all-aluminum plant, displacing 2.0 liters and outfitted with dual overhead cams and Toyota's intelligent variable valve timing technology, produces 148 hp @ 6000 rpm and torque of 142 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
That's a gain of 21 hp over the previous engine, with more usable torque on hand and improved gear ratios in the transmission working to put more punch in the pedal.
A manual five-speed gearbox is the standard transmission, but an electronically-controlled four-speed automatic is also available.
The base RAV-4 directs all torque to the front wheels and functions like a front-wheel-drive car.
A second edition adds the all-wheel-drive system with electronic controls and sensors that detect wheel spin.
It operates constantly so the driver never needs to decide when to push buttons or pull levers to engage the system. When wheel slippage occurs, the system varies the amount of power applied to front and rear wheels so the tires maintain traction continuously.
The new vehicle also contains more safety features, with automatic locking retractors on seatbelts for all five seat positions and dual air bags for front riders. Also, seatbacks on the front buckets employ a device designed to lessen the impact of a whiplash injury during a low-impact collision from the rear, and rear seats have anchor and tether brackets for mounting a child's seat securely.
A RAV-4 in 2WD with manual transmission stocks basic equipment but carries an attractive sticker at $16,215.
The automatic transmission loads $1,050 on the bottom line and the 4WD system adds $2,400.
A package of luxury items -- call it RAV-4 L -- lists for $3,120 and brings gear like cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and heated mirrors.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 Specs |
| Description: |
Compact 4-door SUV wagon |
| Model Options: |
Compact 4-door SUV wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
98.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
165.1 inches |
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4 |
| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front 2WD / 4WD |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ opt. ABS/EBD |
| Airbags: |
2 (front) |
| Gross Weight: |
2WD: 3946 pounds, 4WD: 3990 pounds |
| Towing Capacity: |
2WD: 1500 pounds, 4WD: 1500 pounds |
| Gas Mileage: |
2WD M/5: 25/31 mpg, 2WD A/4: 24/29 mpg, 4WD M/5: 22/27 mpg, 4WD A/4: 23/27 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 16,215 to $ 30,500 |
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