Toyota RAV4 Milestones
Compact People Mover
The original RAV4 sits on a 94.5-inch wheelbase and is 162 inches long. The 1996 RAV4 is two feet shorter than the Camry sedan and 8 inches shorter than the Corolla of that era. Even though it was considered a compact, calling it a subcompact wouldn’t be wrong.
A Familiar Engine
The first-generation model came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This one made 120 horsepower and worked with a four-speed automatic transmission to send power to the wheels. When fully optioned with four doors and all-wheel drive, the 1996 RAV4 earned a combined 23 mpg.
Growing the RAV4
Each subsequent RAV4 generation is larger than the previous one. Sitting on a 97-inch wheelbase, the 2000 RAV4 was just 6 inches longer overall. The big news that year was a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine earning 148 horsepower. Four years later that engine was replaced by a 2.4-liter engine earning 161 horsepower. That’s 33 percent more power than the original model.
Larger and More Sophisticated
By the time the third-generation RAV4 arrived, the segment began filling with competitors. Toyota responded by placing the RAV4 on a new platform with 10 more inches between the wheels and 14 inches longer overall. It was also the first RAV4 to offer an optional third row. The 2.4-liter and four-speed automatic transmission were standard, but a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 5-speed automatic was optional. And with 268 horsepower on tap, the V6 was far more powerful than any engine seen in the RAV4 before or since.
