2000 Toyota RAV4: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

After losing its 2-door "hardtop" body style last year, Toyota's pint-size sport-utility vehicle drops its 2-door semi-convertible due to relatively sluggish sales. That leaves RAV4 with a pair of little-changed 4-door wagons as it awaits a redesign as a larger--but still 4-cylinder--SUV for 2001.
Like the rival Honda CR-V, RAV4 is a car-based unibody design with all-independent suspension. Both are available with front-wheel or permanently engaged 4-wheel drive. Neither offers separate low-range gearing, although manual-shift RAV4s now have a standard center differential lock that's useful off-road; this feature had been an option. RAV4's only engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder teamed with manual transmission or extra-cost automatic. Antilock brakes are optional.
The only other changes for 2000 are redesigned cupholders for all RAVs, and silver-painted bodyside cladding for base models equipped with Extra Value Packages.

COMPETITION

Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. The two current Best Buys are the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Though they don't offer true off-road ability, they mix the best ride, cargo, and comfort characteristics with all-weather traction.
Toyota's RAV4 , which used to be a Best Buy, falls to Recommended based on its noisy engine and cramped rear seating area. Toyota hopes that will change when an all-new RAV arrives in 2001.
As immovable as Mt. Rushmore, the Jeep Wrangler continues as our Budget Buy in this segment. Though it has become a status symbol of late, it's most at home crawling over rocks and fording river beds.