Toyota RAV4

The redesigned 2019 RAV4 got a makeover that gave this compact SUV a rugged, chunkier look in place of the previous generation’s softer lines. Riding on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, the RAV4 is powered by a standard 203-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that works with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard active safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic high-beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.

In the fourth-generation RAV4, a liftgate replaced previous models’ side-opening rear door, and the spare tire moved under the cargo floor. The V-6 engine and third row were dropped, leaving all gas-only models with a 176-horsepower four-cylinder engine and seating for five. Overall length shrunk by an inch, and the RAV4’s styling took on a meaner, more aggressive look. Inside, the rear seat lost its fore-aft sliding feature, and the relocated spare tire took up some underfloor storage space. A RAV4 Hybrid with standard all-wheel drive was added for the 2016 model year, and for 2017 Toyota’s Safety Sense P active safety suite became standard.

The RAV4 grew into compact dimensions with this redesign, adding 14 inches of overall length and more than 3 inches of width. It also gained an optional third row that increased seating capacity to seven (seating for five was still standard). In addition, a 269-hp V-6 engine became available as an upgrade to the standard four-cylinder engine. Optional on-demand all-wheel drive replaced a permanently engaged 4WD system, and a manual transmission was no longer offered. A larger, more powerful four-cylinder arrived for 2009, and in 2012 a battery-powered RAV4 EV (engineered by Tesla) with an EPA-estimated range of 103 miles went on sale in California. EV production continued into 2014 on this design.

The second-generation RAV4 was slightly larger, roomier inside and featured more chiseled styling. It could seat up to five people, and it came only as a four-door SUV. The spare tire was mounted on the rear door, which swung open to the right — two carryover features from the first generation. A new four-cylinder engine made more power, and a larger, still-more-powerful four-cylinder with 161 hp arrived for the 2004 model year.

The RAV4 (Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4WD) subcompact SUV debuted in two- and four-door versions with a choice of front-wheel drive or permanently engaged four-wheel drive. It was based on the platform used for the Celica sports coupe and had unibody construction, an independent suspension and a four-cylinder engine. A two-door convertible version became available for the 1998 model year but was dropped in 2000. Starting in 1997, Toyota produced small numbers of RAV4 electric vehicles to meet California’s zero-emission-vehicle requirements. The EVs had a range of 88 to 95 miles; sales continued into 2003.