2001 Toyota Rav4 - Niche marketplace vehicles are ordinarily developed as an afterthought. Sure, manufacturers receive got to educate a novel shell too trunk panels, but essentially, the basic frame too the engine were all sourced from existing parts. The story is no unlike when the cute-as-button mini-SUVs began to invade the market. The Toyota RAV4 for instance used a modified Corolla chassis too was powered past times a Corona engine. On the other hand, the Honda CR-V was based on the Civic chassis too engine.
When these mini-SUVs began to sell similar hotcakes, companies considered them a mainstay inwards their line-up. Even the Europeans too Americans came into the picture: Land Rover, for instance, came upwardly amongst the as impressive (but poorly built) Freelander too Ford came upwardly amongst the Escape (co-developed amongst Mazda’s Tribute).
Realizing this, the Japanese had to rethink their strategies. Since Toyota was the rootage to unloosen their RAV4 inwards 1997, they logically had to live the rootage to innovate a replacement. Part of Toyota’s ‘revolution of change’ inwards the Philippines, the 2001 RAV4 is radically unlike from its predecessor. Launched as a Completely Built Up unit, the RAV4 is immediately assembled inwards Japan…this volition rattling good address the concerns of cook character for those afflicted amongst colonial mentality.
Surprising fact is that the RAV4 that made its agency inwards the Philippines is the Scandinavian-spec RAV4. Based on the manual, this is the same vehicle that either Mika Hakkinen or A-Ha are currently driving.
Exhibiting a to a greater extent than manful exterior, the novel RAV4 completely departs from the cutesy image. It follows the lines of the much bigger Toyota Harrier, aka Lexus RX300: the sloping roof parent roof work too the sharp-edged creases are evidence of their similarity. This novel RAV4 also gains a to a greater extent than angular blueprint than the previous generation's.
Beyond the RX300 roofline, the RAV4 gains some sporty cues from the Toyota Celica as well. The huge forepart headlamps capped off amongst the modest parent clusters are some clear examples. The pull-type door handles are also a welcome alter that adds graphic symbol too shape to the RAV4. The side protection strip too the dark plastic bottom that caused people to express joy at the previous RAV4 receive got all been removed. In fact, the two-tone pigment plus the excellently integrated door protection strips receive got added to a greater extent than styling points to the RAV4.
However, the exterior is non without problems. The biggest eyesore is most definitely the measure parent fog lamp. Of course, beingness measure number inwards the likes of Kingdom of Norway too Finland, the parent fog light is null to a greater extent than than a slice of accessory hither (not counting their usefulness inwards heavy downpours). But couldn’t Toyota receive got thought of a ameliorate agency to integrate this constituent rather than but drilling 2 holes too screwing inwards an aftermarket part?! If nosotros thought Toyota had a booboo amongst the Camry’s parent fog lamp, hold back till you lot opened upwardly the parent door. It is soundless a single-piece swing out door that needs a lot of infinite to opened upwardly up. What Toyota should receive got done is allow the drinking glass opened upwardly independently, similar to the CR-V's.
Inside, it’s the same story for the RAV4: a mixture of the practiced too the bad. A practiced signal is that the RAV4 materials receive got improved from the older model's. Cheesy elements such as slide-type vent controls were taken out, too the outcome is a sportier SUV.
The RAV4 emphasizes the ‘S’ rather than the ‘U’. The white-faced gauges amongst key tachometer (that reverses to orangish text on dark background at night), sporty seats, circular air con vents too the thick sports steering bike won't await out of identify inwards a Celica. The silvery pump console amongst the Allen-Type Screws consummate the look.
More than but a visual treat, the novel RAV4 has splendid ergonomics that thrashes the much older Honda CR-V. The handbrake too gear lever are where they belong, non requiring a stretch too a curvature but to describe it up. The ventilation controls are also within tardily accomplish too so are most of the controls on the radio. On the negative side, the window controls are as good depression to live considered comfortably reachable too the parent fog light switch is almost hidden close the bonnet opening lever.
Space is a premium within the RAV4 as the interruption too four-wheel drive mechanisms intrude into the rider compartment. The bike wells bulge into the forepart footwells. The parent passengers relish higher seating too relish a practiced view, but their space is far from spacious. The Honda CR-V soundless wins inwards the egress/ingress too infinite categories. It's a shame that Toyota didn't operate a apartment parent flooring for the RAV4. If they could receive got devised this for the Echo Verso, they should receive got done so amongst the much to a greater extent than expensive too newer RAV.
Luggage infinite is also express because of the large bulge caused past times the parent bike wells. However, a practiced banking corporation complaint is that the parent seats are split upwardly crimp / spill too hence adds considerable amounts of space. If the crimp / spill seats are non enough, the parent seats are also removable without the operate of whatever sort of tools (although the owner’s manual may come upwardly inwards handy).
Aside from the express space, in that location are exclusively 2 other irritating things well-nigh the interior: operate of materials too the stereo system. The materials, though improved, are soundless no jibe for whatever of Honda’s offerings. Sure, they await sporty too the original driving tools (steering wheel, gear knob too handbrake) are excellent, but the residual of the cabin isn't. The windows switches, for instance, came from the Toyota Hi-Lux too so did the overhead lights too map lights. The side pockets too glove box are made upwardly of difficult plastic cloth too rattle when whatever sort of object is placed within (even a brace of CDs inwards their precious rock cases).
The stereo organisation is also a shame. With a caput unit of measurement similar to the Toyota Echo's (or the Mitsubishi Adventure Super Sport's), you’d intend it was bad enough. Turn it on, too you’ll uncovering out that the 4-speaker organisation is worse than awful…it’s pathetic. Even a 10-year former Mitsubishi Galant GTi’s Kenwood thirty watt organisation is plenty to boot the parent terminate of the RAV4’s speakers. What’s fifty-fifty worse is that since the speakers are mounted on the door, people from the exterior volition receive got a practiced thought as to what you're listening to.
The measure 10-disc CD changer is tucked nether the driver’s seat. Not bad, until you lot start to realize that you lot tin strength out read War too Peace spell it switches discs. The quiet spell it changes discs is drowned out amongst the irritatingly loud whine from the CD changer mechanism. The controller is quite illogical as good inwards the agency it handles the changer operation—and no cassette deck? Where volition I play my collection of songs on record then?
Starting upwardly the engine reveals that all VVTi's, whether 1.3-liter or 2.0-liter, acquit the same way. They receive got the same cranking sound, starter noise…its similar to starting upwardly an enlarged Echo engine.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 positive aspect of the RAV4 is that that the cabin is ultra quiet. Although soundless non at par amongst the Nissan Cefiro, it is considerably quieter than the Honda CR-V or fifty-fifty the Accord. Toyota has done a practiced project of insulating the RAV4 from the sounds of the exterior world. Tire dissonance is considerably low, too, despite the fat, depression profile 235 / sixty HR xvi tires. Spin the engine past times 3000 rpm too it no longer booms similar other Toyota powerplants. Either that, or the dissonance insulation is doing its project as good well.
The engine, though quiet, is a disappointment of sorts. The RAV4, having the same weight has as the Honda Accord, should receive got been zipping along amongst the grunt from the 2.0-liter inline-4's 148 bhp. However, this is non the case. The automatic transmission saps some of the acceleration, peculiarly on steep uphills climbs. It stays inwards instant gear fifty-fifty if you lot flooring the gas pedal--requiring a shift to ‘L’.
On a practiced note, the RAV4’s fuel efficiency is excellent. Our automatic examine unit of measurement easily shell the manual two-wheel drive Honda Accord too manual Nissan Cefiro inwards mileage. The RAV4 averages 7.2 kilometers a liter, topping the Honda CR-V’s 6.0 kilometers a liter.
Steering is over boosted to the signal of beingness numb. However, the RAV4 continues the previous model’s reputation of beingness maneuverable nether tight circumstances. The RAV4 is comparable to the Echo as both receive got quick ratio steering, noticeable during opposite parking. Although tight-space command is quite practiced for the RAV4, the story is unlike during highway cruising.
It seems that this car suffers from a lot of understeer needing constant additional steering inputs but to keep the car inwards the proper lane. This is especially unsafe during ‘S’ bends or whatever sort of curves amongst a fast left or correct movement. RAV4 drivers must live kept alarm to add together to a greater extent than steering input than a regular sedan. Although nosotros reckon, this could rattling good live the number of the full-time all-wheel drive.
Front visibility is superb from within the RAV4, cheers to the tall ride-height too curt bonnet. The same is truthful for side too rear-three quarters view. However, the biggest problems receive got to live parent visibility too the overly optimistic side persuasion mirrors.
The parent drinking glass is modest enough—it's dinky! However, add together the spare tire bulge in that location too the equation equals almost no parent glass. Though the ‘doughnut’ parent headrests aid inwards increasing visibility, it’s soundless non practiced enough. Rear back-up sensors should receive got come upwardly measure amongst the RAV4.
The side mirrors are overly optimistic. Sometimes, the magnification is but as good much, causing some confusion as to how unopen the trailing car is. The dominion inwards the RAV4 is: the object inwards the mirror is MUCH MUCH closer than it seems. The mirrors don’t furnish a practiced persuasion of the parent business office of the car too in that location is a blind spot inwards both side mirrors. Whenever the car at the dorsum is well-nigh to overtaking the RAV4, especially when it's but about one-half a meter away, it of a abrupt disappears from the mirrors—shocking too dangerous.
The increased top too fatty tires should receive got translated to a comfortable ride, right? Think again. The RAV4 suffers from a choppy ride that is rattling much similar the Toyota Echo's. The RAV4 should receive got been designed amongst calorie-free off-road duties inwards mind, too if this car suffers rattling much from uneven pavement, how much to a greater extent than uncomfortable would it live inwards gravel?
The RAV4, however, absorbs deep potholes amongst ease. With the increased ride top you’ll run across the unevenness inwards the route some distance away, too you lot tin strength out operate the powerful brakes to ho-hum you lot down. This car has meaty four-wheel discs, complemented past times security equipment such as dual airbags and, for the rootage fourth dimension inwards the Philippines, Electronic Brake Force Distribution or EBD.
The RAV4 is indeed a blueprint revolution from the previous model. In damage of styling, the RAV4 is a giant leap from the previous model—clearly Toyota finds this segment worth spending its coin on. With a to a greater extent than macho await too an all-new engine, the RAV4 gets the looks too performance it needs (not to cite the fuel economy) to position it inwards a higher identify or at to the lowest degree degree amongst the Honda CR-V.
On the debit column, the RAV4 lacks the driver interest factor that is so enticing inwards the modest Echo. The poor character of materials inwards some areas become far difficult to justify the P 1.350 1 thou one thousand peso cost tag.
Bottom line: if you lot desire luxury, purchase yourself a Nissan Cefiro or Toyota Camry. Although both are rather uninvolving to drive, the same is truthful amongst the RAV4. Want something that’s sportier? Go for the Honda Accord.
Compared to its straight rival, the Honda CR-V, the RAV4 beats it handily inwards styling, ergonomics too active safety, but inwards other areas, similar interior infinite too engine performance, it soundless fails to deliver. If the RAV4 can’t shell the former CR-V, what gamble does it receive got when the novel CR-V comes out inwards a twelvemonth or two?
Car Review - 2001 Toyota Rav4 Features & Specifications
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Oleh
Lucy
