The Toyota RAV4 is a sport utility car yielded by Japanese vehicle maker Toyota. It was the initially compact crossover, generating its first inside Japan plus Europe inside 1994 plus inside North America inside 1996. The car was tailored for customers wanting a car which had nearly all of the pros of SUVs, including improved cargo space, high awareness as well as the choice of full-time four-wheel drive, together with the maneuverability plus gas economy of the compact automobile. Although not all RAV4s are four-wheel drive, RAV4 stands for Recreational Active Car with 4-wheel drive considering the fore-mentioned equipment is a choice inside select nations. The early achievement of the RAV4 paved the means for competitive compact crossover-SUVs like the Ford Escape as well as the Subaru Forester.

In many markets, the RAV4 is truly the only compact SUV or crossover accessible from Toyota. In additional markets, it really is the crossover counterpart of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Because the 2006 3rd generation model, Toyota has available both short- plus long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions are available inside Japan plus Europe, with Australia plus North America getting the long-wheelbase versions. Toyota of Japan additionally sells the longer-wheelbase adaptation because the Toyota Vanguard.

The RAV4 was initially based found on the Corolla platform, plus was available inside both two- plus four-door versions. In the US, a 2.0 L straight-4 producing 89 kW was available. Both front-wheel drive plus all-wheel drive were accessible, as well as the RAV4 may be had with either a five-speed guide or four-speed automatic transmission. It was called the 1997 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine. In 1998, the RAV4 was somewhat restyled found on the front plus back fascias, along with a soft-top two-door was prepared accessible. Power was improved somewhat with 95 kW. In 1999, the two-door hardtop was dropped within the American lineup, exiting the 5-door plus soft-top models. In Japan, the 2.0 L 3S-GE BEAMS engine with 132 kW was additionally accessible.

The next generation RAV4 went about sale inside the center of 2000, plus came inside base Edge plus upmarket Cruiser models, inside both 3- plus 5-door designs. The principal differentiation amongst the 2 models was inside appearance. Edge models came with unpainted gray bumpers plus side cladding, mirrors, plus door handles, plus showcased steel rims. Cruiser models gained body-coloured bumpers plus moldings, mirrors, plus door handles, alloy wheels, plus ABS brakes. All models came loaded with a new 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine featuring VVT, causing improved force plus torque, plus gas expenditure. Permanent all-wheel-drive had been a feature. Options were ABS brakes, plus air conditioner.
2000–2003 Toyota RAV4 wagon, Australia

The next generation RAV4 was initially available inside a quantity of trim levels: NV was 2-wheel drive, whilst NRG, GX, plus VX were lasting 4-wheel drive with differing degrees of equipment. It continued found on the Corolla platform. Although the RAV4 was accessible because a two-door inside Europe, Asia plus Australia, the American model was today just obtainable in a four-door configuration. A 1.8 L I4 engine producing 92 kW, 2.0 L I4 engine producing 110 kW, along with a D-4D diesel engine were accessible. Many RAV4s came with anti-lock braking program, electronic stability control, air conditioner, a height-adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, a six-speaker CD stereo plus force windows, mirrors plus seats. A sport package added a mesh grille, bonnet scoop, colour-keyed door handles, a rooftop rack, silver sport pedals, heated mirrors, gray-painted bumpers plus fender flares, plus sport cloth seats. Other choices included alloy wheels, heated seats, a sunroof plus keyless entry. 16-inch wheels were standard; bigger wheels were accessible about all-wheel-drive models.

In late 2003, the 2004 model RAV4 was provided a styling update, improved equipment, plus, inside certain markets, a brand-new engine. In the United States the protection structure was improved plus Car Stability Control produced standard. The RAV4's 2.0 L engine was upgraded with a fresh 2.4 L engine, producing 120 kW plus 220 newton metres. Fuel economy improved by over 2%. The base Edge was renamed CV, plus gained standard air conditioner. The CV also received painted bumpers, that came inside either silver or body-coloured shades, depending found on the body color. Additionally, the model range was provided a subtle facelift, consisting mostly of the hot front bumper with circular fog lights plus white turn signals rather of the elder orange lights. Electric air conditioner additionally became obtainable in Europe.

In 2005, a brand-new "CV Sport" model was put into the range, that included a non-functional bonnet scoop, offering the RAV4 a more aggressive appearance. The CV Sport model was short-lived, lasting just a year, plus was introduced mainly with stimulate sales till the new model arrived inside early 2006.

The 2nd generation RAV4 loved achievement inside Australia, where it became the best-selling SUV inside the nation inside 2001, overtaking its rival, the Honda CR-V, for the very first time.

Notably, the second-generation RAV4 had the greatest proportion of woman motorists amidst all makes plus models inside the United States with all the potential exception of the Volkswagen New Beetle, according with 2003–04 registration plus study information.

The Toyota RAV4 was completely redesigned for the 2006 model year, utilizing an all-new platform plus was initially unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. The unique RAV4 utilizes an Electric Power Steering program.

The 3rd generation RAV4 is available inside 2 versions: a short- or perhaps a long-wheelbase model. The short-wheelbase model is available just inside Japan plus Europe, with all the long-wheelbase RAV4 available inside Australia plus North America. Because 2007, the extended-length RAV4 is furthermore available alongside its smaller counterpart inside Japan because the Toyota Vanguard, albeit with a revised front-end body function incorporating a revised grille, bumper, bonnet plus headlamps.

Japanese models went about sale inside 2005 at Toyota Netz dealers. The 3-door was dropped beginning with 2007 model, exiting Toyota without a mini SUV till the 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser, that is available inside Europe, North America plus Japan.

It is furthermore the initial generation of RAV4 with be available inside standard plus extended versions. The extended-length RAV4 is heavier by 21% inside inside amount within the last generation plus today has an accessible third-row seat for 2 tiny youngsters. The RAV4 may nevertheless be had inside either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive inside North America plus Japan; but many nations just market the all-wheel-drive variation.
2008 Facelift

In 2008 RAV4 was provided a mid-cycle refresh inside certain markets, featuring a quantity of changes, including an all-new 4-cylinder engine, along with a redesigned front end plus tweaked back end. The Limited model gets a different front grille plus bumper cover from additional models. The Sport model attributes a bigger spoiler plus red badging together with a choice found on the V6 model with have a back door without the externally installed spare tire. New features/options include turn signal mirrors, backup camera, satellite navigation, smart keyless entry, a drive switch starter, a multifunction meter show, etc. Much of the interior remains the same. In 2009, it was moreover the very first time for the Canadian marketplace with have a 2WD model available inside Canada.
2011 Facelift

In 2011 the RAV4 underwent another facelift.
RAV4 EV
Toyota RAV4 EV 2nd generation
Toyota electrical auto badge selected inside the next generation RAV4 EV

Toyota worked together with Tesla Motors with develop the 2nd generation RAV4 EV, as well as the electrical SUV is scheduled for marketplace release late inside the 3rd quarter of 2012. Production is limited with 2,600 units throughout the initial 3 years, plus sales is limited with California just, beginning with all the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County plus San Diego.

The 2nd generation RAV4 EV has a 115 kW engine driven with a 41.8 kW·h lithium ion power pack, which Toyota expects with deliver a US Environmental Protection Agency rated range of 148 km inside standard charge mode plus 182 km inside extended charge mode, for a combined range of 166 km; along with a combined gas economyrating of 76 miles per gallon gasoline similar. The RAV4 EV power pack plus electronic components are synonymous to people inside selected inside the Tesla Model S sedan introduced inside June 2012, considering Tesla Motors is the maker of the powertrain.

The RAV4 initially model year was 2004; then just came inside 2 trim levels: Base plus L. This was absolutely an outgoing generation however nonetheless available very effectively plus both came inside 2WD mode just plus both models had because a standard equipment 16-inch alloy wheels plus rooftop rack. The new generation of the RAV4 that is the active 1 had more variations inside the standard equipment as well as the Base plus Limited trims are accessible however found on the Limited trim 4WD became an alternative as well as the Base model today had 17-inch steel wheels nevertheless the rooftop rack was nonetheless standard inside both trims.For the refresh of 2009 the rooftop rack inside the Base model was eliminated because a standard equipment as well as the Sport trim was put into the lineup plus earlier till the 2008MY all RAV4s inside Mexico had 4-cylinder motors however, for 2009 found on the Sport model became accessible the V6 engine and retained the 4-cylinder engine as well as the Limited trim was just obtainable in the V6 engine plus 4WD traction. For 2010 the RAV4 inside Mexico has been simplified again with 2 trims however today the Limited trim was dropped plus consequently eliminating the 4WD mode meanwhile the Base plus Sport trims are stay unchanged from 2009. The RAV4 inside Mexico has experienced wise approval because its introduction.

The gas economy of a car is the gas efficiency relationship involving the distance journeyed as well as the amount of gas consumed by the car. Consumption is indicated inside terms of amount of gas with travel a distance, or the distance travelled per device amount of gas consumed. Because gas usage of cars is a desirable element inside air pollution, plus because importation of engine gas is a big piece of the nation's foreign trade, various nations impose needs for gas economy. Different measuring cycles are utilized with approximate the actual performance of the car. The energy inside gas is needed with overcome many losses inside propelling the car, plus inside providing energy with car systems like ignition or air conditioner. Various measures is taken with minimize losses at every of the conversions between chemical vitality inside gas plus kinetic stamina of the car. Driver behavior will affect gas economy; abrupt acceleration plus thick braking wastes vitality.

Fuel economy is the relationship between your distance journeyed plus gas consumed.

Fuel economy is indicated inside 2 ways:

Units of gas per fixed distance
Usually indicated because liters per 100 kilometers, utilized inside Europe, China, South Africa, Australia plus New Zealand. Canadian law enables employ of either liters per 100 kilometres or miles per Imperial gallon. Recently, the window sticker about brand-new US vehicles has began showing the vehicle's gas expenditure inside US gallons per 100 miles.
Units of distance per fixed gas unit
Miles per gallon is popular inside the United States as well as the UK, or kilometres per litre is much more popular elsewhere inside the Americas, Eurasia, components of Africa plus Oceania. When the mpg unit is utilized, it's required to find the kind of gallon selected, because the Imperial gallon is four.5 liters as well as the US gallon is 3.785 liters.

Conversions of units:
miles per US gallon → L/100 km: 235 / mpgUS = L/100 km
miles per Imp. gallon → L/100 km: 282 / mpgImp. = L/100 km
L/100 km → miles per US gallon: 235 / = mpgUS
L/100 km → miles per Imp. gallon: 282 / = mpgImp.
Fuel economy statistics

While the thermal efficiency of petroleum motors has improved because the beginning of the automotive era, this might be not truly the only element inside gas economy. The shape of car because a entire plus use pattern affects the gas economy. Published gas economy is topic with variation between jurisdiction due with variations inside testing protocols.

The average gas economy inside 2008 for unique vehicles, light pickups plus SUVs inside the United States was 26.4 mpg. 2008 model year vehicles categorized because "midsize" by the US EPA ranged from 11 with 46 mpg But, due with ecological concerns caused by CO2 emissions, fresh EU laws are being introduced with minimize the average emissions of vehicles available beginning inside 2012, with 130 g/km of CO2, equal with four.5 L/100 km for a diesel-fueled auto, plus 5.0 L/100 km for a gasoline-fueled vehicle.

The average usage over the fleet is not instantly affected by the hot car gas economy, for illustration Australia's automobile fleet average inside 2004 was 11.5 L/100 km, compared with all the average unique auto usage inside the same year of 25.3 mpgUS
Physics

The energy needed with overcome air resistance increases about with all the cube of the speed, and therefore the power needed per device distance is approximately proportional with the square of speed. Because air resistance increases thus quickly with speed, above regarding 20 mph, it becomes a dominant limiting element. Driving at 45 instead of 65 mph needs regarding one-third the energy with overcome wind resistance, or regarding one-half the stamina per device distance, plus much better gas economy is accomplished. Increasing speed with 90 mph from 65 mph increases the energy requirement by 2.6 instances, the vitality per device distance by 1.9 instances, plus reduces gas economy. In real globe cars the change inside gas economy is lower than the values quoted above due with complicating factors.

The energy required with overcome the rolling resistance is approximately proportional with the speed, and therefore the stamina necessary per device distance is approximately continual. At low speeds the dominant losses are internal friction. A crossbreed car will achieve better gas economy inside city driving than found on the highway considering the engine shuts off whenever it happens to be not required with charge the power plus has little with no expenditure at stops. Additionally, regenerative braking puts power back to the power.

The AR engine family is a straight-4 piston engine series by Toyota, initially introduced inside 2008 for the RAV4, plus subsequently for the Highlander, Venza, Camry plus Scion tC

The AR series utilizes a die-cast aluminium engine block plus aluminium DOHC cylinder head. The engine series shares most technologies inside the AZ engine, when incorporating fresh attributes like constantly varying valve timing about both consumption plus exhaust camshafts or double VVT-i, low friction technologies including an offset crankshaft, roller rockers for the valvetrain, a three-stage varying oil pump, reduced-tension piston rings plus auxiliary belt drive. An Acoustic Control Induction System switches the size of the consumption system inside 2 stages, based about rpm plus throttle angle, therefore guaranteeing sturdy torque over a wide engine speed range. New tumble control valves improves combustion when the engine is cold, plus helps you to bring the catalytic converters about functioning temperature swiftly. The Tumble control valves, together with hot 12-hole significant atomizing long-nozzle gas injectors, lower the amount of gas sticking with the consumption ports plus consequently maximize gas economy plus minimize dangerous emissions.

The cylinder block is an open-deck, midi-skirt kind with cast-in iron liners along with a die-cast aluminium lower crankcase along with a stamped oil pan. The forged steel crankshaft is completely balanced with 8 counterweights plus supported by five leading bearings. A helical gear pushed inside No. 3 counterweight forces twin contra-rotating balance shafts inside the shaft housing in the lower crankcase.

The AR engine replaces the AZ engine.