Driving Impressions

The RAV4 is not simply a sport-utility wannabe. It has proven itself to be a standard-bearer for this new breed of mini-utilities. A well-designed independent suspension and rack-and-pinion power-assisted steering make it nimble on and off the road. Standard brakes are power-assisted front disc and rear drum; ABS is available as a $590 option. We were impressed with the all-wheel-drive traction, very useful in snow and slush. Automatic transmission models have a center differential that automatically locks up when excessive slip is sensed between the front and rear axles. On manual transmission models, the driver utilizes a switch to manually lock or unlock the center differential. A limited-slip rear differential is optional and recommended for improved traction off road. The fun-to-drive quotient remains high on this unique mini-utility. Its unibody construction gives it a handling advantage over truck-based sport-utilities with body-on-frame construction. The longer wheelbase on the four-door RAV4 smoothes some of the choppiness found in the two-door version. The engine feels peppy and can cruise at 80, but it runs out of power in the higher rpm range. Still, the RAV4 accelearates from 0-60 mph quicker than the Sidekick, Tracker and Sportage. We enjoyed the five-speed manual, logging miles at Pocono International Raceway and all over New England.

Final Word

The RAV4 may not have the off-road capability of a Jeep Wrangler, but sales figures show it's a package that buyers like. It's tougher than a car, softer than a truck and as big as a small wagon. It offers some of that rugged image that's so popular today in a smaller package, while delivering a measure of spunk and fun with unique styling. Comfortable for car-pooling, commuting and collecting groceries, the RAV4 is ideal for light action on the beach or in the backcountry. Compared with compact sport-utilities, the RAV4 falls short in towing capacity (1500 lbs), passenger space and cargo space. The already pricey tag on the RAV4 has climbed higher this year. Our test model retails for $23,590. On the other hand, it offers Toyota ruggedness, reliability and build, with 26 mpg on the highway, which makes it much cheaper to run after you've signed the contract.