What is left of the Toyota RAV4, the pioneer of carefree SUVs?

Toyota celebrates the 30th anniversary of its RAV4, a model that alone helped create a segment now leading in all global markets.

While it would be an overstatement to call it the first SUV in automotive history, the Toyota RAV4 is undeniably the model that popularized this category. The term SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) first started being used in the United States in the 1980s, and it can be considered that the Jeep Cherokee launched in 1984 was the first vehicle to fully embody the modern idea of an SUV: a model combining real off-road capabilities with a comfortable interior and dimensions suitable for urban use. In 1988, the Suzuki Vitara was introduced, but, contrary to expectations, it was not an immediate success as it was perceived as more utilitarian than truly urban.

It was in 1994, at Toyota’s stand at the Geneva Motor Show, that the real revolution was born. The RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD) was revealed to the world, during a period of hype for small, creative, and stylish Japanese models, particularly appreciated in Europe. However, it didn’t fit into any of the previously known categories: 4×4 vehicles designed for off-road use with a chassis separate from the body and a rigid rear axle, or small city cars with all-wheel drive but a desperately conventional style. The RAV4, on the other hand, opened new doors.

When SUV Meant Freedom

Five generations of RAV4 have followed, marked by innovations that logically increased its price and weight. However, success never waned, with over 14 million units sold worldwide, but the magic of the original RAV4 was never truly renewed. The recipe was an exceptional balance: an ultra-compact size of 3.69 meters, a width of 1.69 meters allowing easy maneuvering in traffic, and of course, an elevated driving position, ideal for dominating the road. On the chassis side, the McPherson front suspension and the double wishbone rear suspension with trailing arms gave it a road behavior that was diabolical and unprecedented for a vehicle of this kind. The 16-inch tires with tall sidewalls added welcome comfort, allowing it to glide over curbs without a flat risk. Add to that a lightweight 1,150 kg, an exclusively gasoline engine, and permanent all-wheel drive, and you get the one that nearly deserved to be called Fun Cruiser.

Today, a SUV can have two-wheel drive, measure over 5 meters, and have suspensions stiff enough to turn each pothole into a risk of pelvic fracture. Everything is going astray, my poor lady.

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