2002 Toyota RAV4

It has been a long time since I’ve driven a Toyota RAV4, the car-based “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive” that spawned a craze with its introduction in 1996. In fact, I didn’t have a 2001 model at all, which means I had not experienced this popular mini sport utility’s second generation debut last year. All that was reconciled last week, however, when I took delivery of a 2002 RAV4. This serves as my introduction to all the changes and a chance to revisit the RAV4 in light of all those cute utes that have followed in its tracks. The Good News
Everything that made the RAV4 a hit in its first generation only gets better in this one. It is still as agile, light and economical as a compact sedan to drive, but with even more power, more room and more self-assurance overall.

The redesigned RAV4 is larger than the first one in every dimension, from three more inches of wheelbase to one more inch – give or take a few tenths – of width, height and length. All these improvements serve the cabin directly. The RAV4’s interior was already generous for one so small; now it’s downright remarkable compared to much larger competitors. You can load more stuff in the back than in a Honda CR-V or Ford Escape. Pop the rear seats out (a very easy process), and it takes on more cargo than the much larger Nissan X-Terra.

Under the hood we still find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but not the same one as before. This new 2.0-liter produces 148 horses and 142 foot pounds of torque for peppier acceleration. It won’t smoke the tires, but at 22 mpg city/27 highway, you accept the tradeoff. Mated to a five-speed manual, which mine was, I have no complaints with its spirit.

Adjustments to the suspension, including anti-roll bars, result in that self-assurance I mentioned earlier. Steering, tracking and ride all see improvements.

Mine was equipped with full-time all-wheel drive, a seamless setup that helps this RAV4 scamper up steep hills and conquer slippery roads confidently. Two-wheel drive versions are also available to further cut costs.

Last, but not least, this second generation introduces a new look for the RAV4. Maybe because we’ve now seen so many mini sport utilities in ever-more radical designs, this new iteration looks tame by comparison to the first RAV4. Replacing funky and cute is a grown-up sophistication: more car, less truck. It may not suit everyone, but I think it was the way to go.

The Bad News
I don’t have any real bad news here, unless you were hoping the RAV4 would finally get a low gear and become a real off-road threat. Sorry to disappoint you, but I just don’t see that happening. This is a great little around-town runner, fun to drive, hugely accommodating and reassuring in the rain. Gnarly it’s not.

I will note that very little comes standard on the RAV4, hence the discrepancy between my nicely (but not lavishly) loaded test vehicle and the $17,000 base price.

The upside is you can get one of these cheap. The downside is it’s a pretty spare affair.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $17,925;
Price as tested, $24,197

Is it worth it?
Marking up the price on my test vehicle was $300 for anti-lock brakes; $895 for 16-inch alloy wheels with color-keyed fenders and tire upgrade; $900 power moonroof; and a $3100 “L” package that added air conditioning, heated mirrors, cruise control, power windows and locks, hard spare tire cover and a few other things. I was disappointed at this price mine had neither side air bags, nor remote locking/unlocking security system.

I think the RAV4 does a fantastic job of doing what mini sport utility owners want their vehicles to do: specifically, be comfortable as a little sedan and easy to drive, sit up high but not too high and carry lots of stuff and a few people comfortably in all situations.

I am also impressed with the overall integrity of this new RAV4. I remember the first one as feeling thin, small and less than wonderful. That impression stuck with me – and perhaps grew – as I tested the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and other worthy competitors that came later. Now, I am satisfied this Toyota equals, and in several cases surpasses, the overall quality in this class.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.