The original Recreational Active Vehicle was more fun than the RAV4 production models.
The crossover was widely regarded as the first compact crossover on the market. RAV4 The origins of the company can be traced back to the mid-1980s, when Toyota first proposed the idea in 1986. It wasn’t until 1989 that a small CUV concept was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. The name “RAV Four” is a shorthand for Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel Drive.
We found the original 1989 press release in which Toyota described the concept as a “neourban 4WD car” that was designed for active urban lifestyles. The RAV Four, however, looked more like a prototype.
A more current version, closer to production, was also presented at the Japanese auto show in 1993. It featured a four-wheel independent suspension as well as a double wishbone rear suspension. Toyota simplified its name to “RAV 4” and added a torque-sensing limited slip differential at the rear. Although images aren’t available, the new concept featured a removable aluminum twin sunroof and a flat rear seat that can be fully reclined to increase cargo space.
The first-gen RAV4 was released in Japan and Europe in 1994. The small crossover version for the United States arrived in 1996. The compact crossover, now in its fifth generation is huge compared to the concept that was about the same size as the current Suzuki Jimny.