Toyota · 1994–present

Toyota Vanguard

The Toyota RAV4 (Japanese: トヨタ・RAV4, Hepburn: Toyota Ravufō) is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Having sold over 15 million units worldwide as of 2025, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV of all time. The car is credited with popularizing compact crossover automobiles, often credited as the first modern compact crossover SUV. In February 2025, the RAV4 replaced the Ford F-150 as the best-selling car in the United States, after nearly four decades of the latter's reign. It made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the maneuverability of a mid-size car. The vehicle's name is an abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", (occasionally "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-wheel drive"), although not all models come equipped with the four-wheel drive system. For the third-generation model, Toyota offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions were sold in Japan and Europe; long-wheelbase versions in Australia and North America. Toyota of Japan also sold the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard (Japanese: トヨタ・ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Toyota Vangādo) at Toyopet Store dealership chain from 2005 through 2016. RAV4s for the Japanese market were sold at two different Toyota dealership chains, Corolla Store and Netz.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota Kluger · Successor: Toyota Wildlander|Toyota Harrier

All Toyota Vanguard data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (XA10; 1994)

The first-generation RAV4, known as the XA10 series, was constructed on a unique platform that shared Carina and Corolla elements. It launched in Japan in May 1994. Design and development commenced in 1989 under code-name 153T, with design approval and start of production development in the second half of 1991 on the 3-door version and in 1993 for the 5-door version. In March 1995, the 5-door was launched and introduced to the US in January 1996, with standard dual airbags. The XA10 series was available in both three and five door versions. In the US, a 2.0-litre straight-four producing 89 kW (121 PS; 119 hp) was available. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive were available, and the RAV4 could be had with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. It was named the 1997 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine. The 1996-1997 model years had headlamps with a bracket push in type, dual filament bulb. The front running/turn signal lamps used older round socket dual filament bulbs. The rear used round socket type bulbs as well. In Japan, the 2.0-litre 3S-GE BEAMS engine with 132 kW (179 PS; 177 hp) was also available. Some variants of the 1998 Toyota RAV4 were labeled as SXA11 rather than XA10, paired with an owner-given name of "RAV 4.1". The 1996 RAV4 was rated for between 21 and 23 miles per gallon (4.2 to 4.8 gals per 100 miles) of combined city/highway driving. RAV4 EV. The RAV4 EV is a plug-in, all-electric variant of the RAV4. Produced from 1997 to 2003 for fleet lease, this "zero emission" model was only offered for public sale for seven months in 2002, in very small quantities in California. Powered by an advanced Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack capable of storing 27 kWh, the RAV4 EV can go up to 193 km (120 miles) betwee

Second generation (XA20; 2000)

The second-generation RAV4, known as the XA20 series, went on sale in July 2000. Like the previous model, the XA20 was available in three- and five-door configurations and was constructed on a platform that shared Carina and Corolla elements. Development began in 1995, with a design freeze in the first half of 1998. Styling was done at Calty Design Research Incorporated (also simply known as Calty) by Yasuhide Hosoda and Kevin Hunter from 1996 to 1997. The second-generation RAV4 was originally offered in a number of trim levels in the UK: NV was front-wheel drive, while NRG, GX, and VX were permanent four-wheel drive with differing levels of equipment. Although the RAV4 was available as a three-door in Europe, Asia and Australia, the American model was only available in a five-door configuration. A 1.8-litre inline-four engine (only with 2WD) producing 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp), 2.0-litre inline-four engine producing 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp), 2.4-litre inline-four engine producing 118 kW (160 PS; 158 hp), and a D-4D diesel engine were available. In Australia, the RAV4 came in base Edge and upmarket Cruiser models in both three- and five-door configurations. All models came equipped with a brand-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring VVT (variable valve timing), resulting in improved power and torque, as well as fuel consumption. Permanent four-wheel drive was featured. The second generation RAV4 enjoyed success in Australia, where it became the best-selling SUV in the country in 2001, overtaking its rival the Honda CR-V for the first time. Facelift (2003). In late 2003 (for the 2004 model year), the RAV4 was given a styling update redesigned interior, improved equipment, and, in certain markets, a new engine. In the United States the safety structure was improved and

Third generation (XA30; 2005)

The Toyota RAV4 was redesigned for the 2006 model year, using an all-new platform, and was first unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. The third-generation RAV4 was offered in two versions: a short- or a long-wheelbase model. The short-wheelbase model was sold only in Japan, Europe and New Zealand (diesel only in NZ), with the long-wheelbase RAV4 sold in Australia, New Zealand and North America. In comparison with the previous generation model, the wheelbase of the short-wheelbase model was increased by 70 mm (2.8 in), while exterior dimensions are 145 mm (5.7 in) longer and 80 mm (3.1 in) wider than the previous model. The extended-length version has an additional 21% in interior volume from the last generation, and had an optional third-row for two additional passengers (North America and Japan only). From 2007, the extended-length RAV4 was also sold alongside its shorter counterpart in Japan as the Toyota Vanguard, which uses a revised front-end body work incorporating a revised grille, bumper, bonnet and headlamps. The third-generation RAV4 went on sale in Japan in 2005 at Netz dealers. As the XA30 series RAV4 was not available with a 3-door option, the previous generation 3-door RAV4 was dropped in the beginning of 2007. The XA30 series RAV4 was sold in Japan until July 2016, where the XA40 was not to be offered. Toyota discontinued the Vanguard in November 2013 in favour of the redesigned XU60 Harrier. For this generation, the RAV4 could be optioned with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive in North America and Japan; while most countries only sold the four-wheel drive version. In the Japanese market four-wheel drive RAV4, between 97 and 98 percent of power is typically distributed to the front wheels, until it senses a loss of traction then up to 45

Fourth generation (XA40; 2012)

The fourth-generation RAV4 was a complete redesign; it was revealed at the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Unlike the previous generations, it featured a rear liftgate rather than a side-opening rear door and no longer had the spare wheel mounted on the rear door. The RAV4 no longer offers a V6 engine like the previous generation—all engine choices were inline four-cylinder engines. Also, while the previous XA30 model was offered in regular and extended wheelbase lengths, the XA40 was only sold in a single wheelbase length (corresponding to the long wheelbase XA30). The full hybrid system combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an electric motor, a high voltage generator, a 204-cell nickel–metal hydride battery located under the rear seats, a power control unit, and a power split device. RAV4 Hybrids were available in both front and four-wheel drive variants. The four-wheel drive came equipped with a second, 50 kW high-voltage, a rear-mounted electric motor that offers increased traction and a 1,750-pound (790 kg) towing capacity. The rear's electric motor operates independently from the hybrid system front's electric motor, driving the rear wheels alone. US sales began in early January 2013. Trim levels available were the LE, XLE, and Limited. Markets. For the Japanese market, the previous generation in short-wheelbase length remained on sale in Japan until 2016 instead of the newer, export only, XA40. The Harrier replaced the long-wheelbase model in Japan, previously badged as the Vanguard. In Australia, the fourth-generation RAV4 went on sale in February 2013. Engine choices included a 2.0- and 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, and 2.0- and 2.2-litre turbo-diesels. Transmissions included a six-speed manual (UK/Australia only), Continuously Variable

Fifth generation (XA50; 2018)

The fifth-generation RAV4 was unveiled at the March 2018 New York International Auto Show. The design was previewed by the FT-AC concept shown at the December 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. It is built on the same TNGA-K (GA-K) platform as the XV70 series Camry. Both 4-cylinder petrol-powered and petrol-electric hybrid (Hybrid Synergy Drive) variants would remain available. No diesel engine option is offered for this generation. Development of the model was led by chief engineer Yoshikazu Saeki. Built on the GA-K platform, the unibody chassis of the fifth-generation RAV4 is 57 percent more rigid than the previous generation. The model incorporates a multi-link rear suspension which is claimed to provide more ideal damping for handling, less interior cabin noise, and enhanced ride comfort. For improved forward visibility around the A-pillar, Toyota positioned the side mirrors lower on the doors. The lowered beltline and the enlarged rear quarter glass also increased the side visibility from inside the car. Forward visibility is also enhanced by the positioning of the lower instrument panel and tucked-in windshield wipers. The fifth-generation RAV4 also introduced a newly developed four-wheel drive system, marketed as "Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD". Claimed to be a world-first adoption, it is a torque vectoring type, which independently distributes torque to the left and right rear wheels according to driving conditions. A disconnect mechanism, marketed as "Rear Driveline Disconnect", is incorporated to transmit driving force only to the front wheels when 4WD is deemed unnecessary. For hybrid models, all-wheel drive variants utilize the "E-Four"/"AWD-i" system. The updated system increases the total torque to the electronically driven rear wheels by 30 percent compared to t

Sixth generation (XA60; 2025)

The sixth-generation RAV4 was revealed on 20–21 May 2025 in Japan, Canada and the United States. It is the first RAV4 generation to have a "fully electrified" lineup, offering either a fifth-generation hybrid (HEV) or sixth-generation plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain. Production began in late 2025, with deliveries starting in North America and Japan for the 2026 model year, in China during November 2025 and in Europe and Australasia during the first half of 2026. Toyota groups exterior treatments into three "design themes": "Core" (LE, XLE, Limited), "Adventure" (Woodland) and "Sport" (SE, XSE, the GR Sport). The body dimensions are largely carried over from the XA50, but the GA-K platform receives additional structural adhesive, braced suspension towers, and revised sub-frames to improve rigidity and NVH. Development. Early work on the sixth-generation RAV4 began in early 2022 under the lead of chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane, with full development commencing in October of that year, giving a development period of roughly three years. Development was organised around the concept "Life is an Adventure", with electrification, diversification, and intelligence identified as the three core areas of focus. The XA60 retains the basic chassis and subframe of its predecessor, though Toyota increased body rigidity and reworked the underfloor to accommodate the larger plug-in hybrid battery pack. Futonagane said the retained chassis was modified rather than carried over unchanged: "It's a little bit of having your cake and eating it too. While we carried over the same chassis, cars are always evolving, so there's always changes to the basic design." Futonagane has said the TNGA-K platform underpinning the XA60 "has got a lot of life left" and could plausibly continue into a

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Specifications

name: Toyota RAV4
Manufacturer: Toyota
aka: Toyota Vanguard (Japan, 2007–2013), Toyota Wildlander (China, 2020–present), Suzuki Across (Europe, 2020–present)
Production: 1994–present
Class: Compact crossover SUV
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.