The Toyota RAV 4 car debuted in 1994 as a three-door station wagon. This fundamentally new SUV broke out beyond the existing stereotypes. The combination of all-wheel drive, independent suspension of all wheels and a supporting body structure provided the new car with excellent handling characteristics and a high level of ride comfort. RAV 4 marked the beginning of the compact SUV class, combining the ability to overcome off-road with sports dynamics on the highway and the comfort of a car. The name of the car is an abbreviation of Recreation Active Vehicle 4 Wheel Drive - all-wheel drive car for outdoor activities. Short-three-door car is extremely harmonious.
Possessing a catchy, original appearance, a slightly cramped cockpit of the driver with a la sport steering wheel and recessed dials of instruments, the car creates an image of an “off-road sport coupe”. But the five-door version of the RAV 4, which appeared in 1995, claims the role of a family car. Due to the elongated base and rear overhang in the car, there was more room for passengers in the back seat, the amount of luggage increased. For the first-generation RAV 4, there is only one engine - a two-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 128 hp. This engine is Japanese-friendly, durable and has excellent performance, providing a fairly easy car with excellent dynamics.
In addition, it is very economical - fuel consumption per 100 km is 9-11 liters. There is both a four-wheel drive car modification and a front-wheel drive version of the RAV 4. The latter is much less common than all-wheel drive and its cost is 10% lower. Transmission cars almost flawless.
All-wheel drive version of the RAV 4 has a permanent all-wheel drive scheme with the distribution of the moment equally between the front and rear wheels. The car is equipped with either an absolutely reliable manual gearbox or an “automatic” with electronic control, which also proved itself to be the best. The automatic transmission has two modes of operation - economical (“Norm”) and sports (“PWR”). However, there is one "but." The car does not have the main attribute of an SUV - downshift, without which it is almost impossible to turn all four wheels in the sand or viscous dirt.
The RAV 4 has a super tuned chassis. Toyota designers managed to find the perfect balance between handling, stiffness and comfort. In bends, the car behaves perfectly! In them, he is a near-perfect model of the behavior of an all-wheel drive car. But, unlike the passenger all-wheel drive, allows you to feel the limits of possibilities before the situation becomes critical. Excellent ride quality of the car is largely provided by the bearing (frameless) body and fully independent suspension.
In the spring of 2000, the second generation of the RAV 4 was launched. During the development of the new car, the emphasis was placed on strengthening the product-image of the new SUV concept laid by the original model. At the same time, due to the radical refinement of the weak points of the previous model, the car managed to impart a bright personality as a leader among small-class SUVs that would outpace similar models of other brands created after the RAV 4. First of all, the appearance of the previous RAV 4, equipped with larger tires and having small overhangs, was changed - during the development of a new design solution, the car acquired a more stylish, more “courageous” look.
At the same time, the interior was also significantly improved, primarily due to the improved quality of the finish. It looks interesting inserts "under the metal" with decorative chrome-plated heads "bolts". Salon RAV 4 of the second generation has become more spacious with little or no change in the external dimensions. The front seats of the car have three mechanical adjustments and have a wide range of longitudinal adjustment. The rear seats are multifunctional and have separate adjustments (longitudinal and angle of the backs). However, no matter what, a person who is 190 cm tall can sit in the back seat behind a man of the same body size only by pushing the back seat all the way back.
The trunk of the car has a relatively small loading height and several side pockets. The second generation RAV 4 is equipped with a DOHC VVT-i gasoline engine with a volume of 1.998 liters. and a power of 150 hp The three-door version of the RAV 4 is equipped with a 128-horsepower 1.8-liter gasoline engine. Since the spring of 2001, D-4D turbo diesel engine with a volume of 1.995 liters has been installed on some cars. and a power of 113 hp, accelerating the RAV 4 to 100 km / h in 12 seconds.
Manageability updated RAV 4 is beyond praise. The car confidently holds a straight line and even at a speed of 160 km / h allows you to rebuild from one row to another without tension. The car responds quickly and accurately to the slightest movement of the wheel. However, the smoothness of the RAV 4 does not shine. The car faithfully responds to the slightest irregularities and repeats the profile of the road .. But with increasing speed, everything changes for the better. The car is equipped with independent suspension McPherson (McPherson).
Viskomufta is used in the permanent all-wheel drive system. The new RAV 4, as before, is completed with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-band “automatic”. On the RAV 4 with turbodiesel installed only "mechanics".
The basic equipment (R2) includes an adjustable steering column, height-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, power accessories, a folding rear seat, air conditioning, a radio tape recorder, front airbags, ABS, fog lights, alloy wheels and central locking with remote control. In this configuration offers a three-and five-door version of the machine. More “advanced” equipment (R4) additionally includes heated exterior mirrors, a limited-slip differential of the rear axle and the so-called “wide package” (235/60 R16 tires and wing extenders). In this equipment are supplied only long base modifications. Cars in the luxury performance R5 different leather interior.
Easy restyling, which the model underwent in 2004, besides replacing the bumper, a new grille and optics, presented the RAV4 with a new engine - 2.4-liter gasoline, and 163 hp in capacity. In the fall of 2005, the third generation RAV4 premiere took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and mass production began in 2006. The third-generation RAV4 has lost its three-door version. At the heart of the car is a completely new platform. It has grown a little in height and width, has got an enviable appearance and a comfortable, high-quality interior. The engine now starts without a key, the radio reads mp3, and the display "spoke" in Russian.
Instruments - new, optitronnye, the honorable central place is now assigned to the speedometer (before there was a tachometer in the center). The tachometer, together with the fuel gauge and coolant temperature gauges, is located on the sides. There are more places for small things. In addition to the volumetric boxing in the center armrest, there are now not one, but two glove boxes. But most importantly, the cabin has become even more spacious. For example, the distance between the front and rear seats increased by 55 mm, it became freer in the shoulders and above the heads. By the way, the back seat is now divided not equally, but into two unequal parts (60:40).
If before the Toyota RAV 4 was sold in two versions - front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, now the choice has been reduced to a purely front-wheel drive and front-wheel drive with a plug-in rear. Viskomufta, activated by electronics and connecting the rear-wheel drive at the time of slipping the front wheels, was introduced into the rear, or forcibly, at the request of the driver. After the “manual” connection of the rear-wheel drive by pressing a special button on the front panel, the clutch was activated and the car became all-wheel drive.
However, due to the fact that there was no center differential, in order to avoid transmission damage, it was possible to connect an all-wheel drive only outside asphalt roads or on slippery surfaces. So that the gentle clutch does not overheat, it was supplied with a temperature sensor. In this way, smart electronics disconnected the clutch in two cases - upon reaching a speed of 40 km / h, and in the event that the clutch overheated due to active slipping of the rear wheels.
The only disadvantage of such a decision was that the car stalled off-road very quickly became front-wheel drive due to overheating of the rear clutch. The engine range has expanded - a powerful 2.4-liter gasoline engine has appeared, a two-liter redesigned engine has added only 2 “horses” to 150, complements the picture of the new 2.2-liter D-4D diesel engine with 136 hp. (177 hp turbocharged). For the American market was offered an atmospheric engine of 3.5 liters capacity of 200 hp.
Transmission is still, there were two - 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic. Move on the new Rav 4 has become possible with the highest level of comfort and safety. Security is provided by seven airbags (basic equipment) and an Integrated Active Drive active safety system.
This system coordinates the work of the stabilization system, all-wheel drive and electric power steering. 2009 was the date of the "birth" of the fourth generation. The car received a new design. Updated bumper lines and grille gave the RAV4 a slightly modern look.
The model has a roomy cabin and trunk. The car was produced in three versions: basic, Limited and Sport, all of which are designed for five passengers. Optionally, you can install a third row of seats, then the capacity will increase to seven passengers. Standard basic equipment includes: 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch light alloy can be purchased for a fee), autopilot, full power, tilt telescopic steering column, keyless door opening system, stereo with six speakers, CD / MP3 -player and audio input.
The list of the Sport version is somewhat larger: improved exterior styling, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, rear tinted windows, heated side mirrors, and fog lights. The most expensive equipment Limited also did not disappoint: automatic climate control system in two zones, leather-covered steering wheel, built-in CD changer for six CDs with satellite radio (in the base and Sport versions are optional), 17-inch wheels with a soft drive. The Sport Appearance package is offered as an option for all-wheel drive models with a 6-cylinder engine, includes a rear door without a spare tire, RunFlat tires, an upgraded audio system with a six-disc CD changer and satellite radio.
And for an additional fee for versions of Sport and Limited, you can purchase leather seat upholstery, a power driver's seat, a nine-speaker stereo system, Bluetooth and satellite radio, a rear-view camera and, traditionally, a transparent sunroof. And only for limited equipment, it is possible to order front seats, supplemented by heating, and for rear passengers an entertainment system with DVD. However, depending on the country where Toyota RAV4 is sold, the options may be changed. Two engine options. The optional six-cylinder has a power of 269 hp volume of 3.5 liters. To it comes bundled automatic five-speed gearbox.
Four-cylinder engine Toyota RAV4, coming as standard, increased its power from 170 to 179 hp To this engine is installed four-speed automatic transmission. The car Toyota RAV4 can be either all-wheel drive or only with front-wheel drive. Front-wheel versions have limited slip differentials.
Modification of 4WD with the help of an electronic system of all-wheel drive transfers the main power to the front axle, and the rear uses it only when it slips. You can block the system and all-wheel drive. Then the power between the bridges will be distributed equally.
Car safety is given a key place. Toyota RAV4 2009 is equipped with disc brakes with ABS, traction control, side airbags for the front seats, full-size side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, stability control. A help system for ascent and descent along the slope is additionally installed on models with a 6 - cylinder engine and / or a third row of seats. At the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, Toyota presented the next restyled version of the RAV4 SUV. The car has changed quite a lot in appearance. The design of the front has been completely redesigned to create an even more rapid and dynamic image.
The new embossed hood and bright grille are successfully complemented by narrow and elongated headlamps, making the car look more aggressive. Expressive chrome edging fog lights emphasize the aerodynamic shape of the front bumper with integrated spoiler. They decided not to touch the good rear end and replaced the rear lights - now they are LED. The updated RAV4 finally lost the spare wheel on the fifth door. Well, according to tradition, added wheels of a different design and three new exterior colors. True, it is necessary to immediately make a reservation that most of the restyled changes affected only the usual - short-base version.
Long base, meanwhile, has retained the old look, as well as all the mechanics. The wheelbase of the long-wheelbase modification is increased by 100 mm compared with the standard version and is 2660 mm. Changes in all dimensions of the car allowed to increase the space inside the cabin and the amount of luggage.
The length of the cabin of this car modification is increased by 45 mm and is 1,865 mm, the distance between the front and rear seats is increased from 800 to 865 mm, which provides an even more comfortable arrangement of passengers in the car, and the amount of luggage increased from 410 to 540 liters. For this modification, a unique design of the grille is proposed, emphasizing the premium quality of equipment. The car is equipped with two types of four-cylinder petrol engines - a new 2.0-liter Valvematic engine with dual variable valve timing system DualVVT-i for cars with a standard wheelbase and the traditional for a long-wheelbase version of the 2.4-liter engine producing 170 hp.
The engine capacity of the new generation with a working volume of 2.0 liters has been increased from 152 hp up to 158 hp The 2.2-liter diesel engine in different versions gives out power of either 150 hp or 180 hp. For the restyled version of the Toyota RAV4, an updated line of transmissions is also offered: a new 6-speed manual gearbox, a new continuously variable Multidrive S variator and a 4-speed automatic transmission (for the version with an extended wheelbase). The choice of the buyer is offered a plug-in or full drive. Front-wheel drive is available for the version of the car with a 2.0-liter engine and a 6-speed manual transmission.
The style of the interior has remained the same, but improved the quality of materials. The control devices in the cabin received the Optitron lighting, which significantly reduces fatigue of the driver's eyes. In addition, as an option, a combined leather upholstery and Alcantara became available. The upgraded version also received a new steering wheel, which retained the flattened form from below, but on versions with a variator, it had paddle shifters for “virtual gears”. On the new steering wheel, there are buttons for controlling the audio system, voice commands, the Bluetooth wireless connection system and the multifunction display. Special attention deserves Russified navigation.
