1996 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota Cars
Toyota Cars: 1996 Toyota RAV4

1996 Toyota RAV4











Quite simply, the UK 4x4 market has never been the same since Toyota RAV4 was launched (the vehicle of recreational activity - four wheels) in 1994. Since the first information that would lead to its radical style in 1986 with the emergence of a concept car at the Salon in Tokyo in 1989, the gestation period of this trend-setting sport 4x4 was long. In fact, a car was completely remodeled in the Hall of Tokyo 1993 and the Toyota RAV4, finally appeared in its final production form at the Geneva Show in 1994 - the first time, Toyota has chosen to give Europe a world reveal one of its car production. It's worth the wait.

What the public saw was relatively simple, lightweight and robust urban 4x4 "monocoque design (a construction technique usually reserved for cars and not 4x4) with three doors, powered by a 2.0-liter 16v petrol engine with permanent four-wheel drive and either manual or automatic transmissions. Toyota has taken its time in the study of European markets and the UK before starting the Toyota RAV4. had been avoided delivering a "me too" product of the years eighties and in its place produce a true original product for the 'nineties. You just have to look at the multitude of sports imitating / 4x4 lifestyle to be followed in the bulk of the Toyota RAV4 wheels. Perhaps imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?


Testimony of the "rightness" of the Toyota RAV4 is the original design so that the vehicle has little changed since its introduction in 1994. Yes, a five-door version was introduced in March 1995 Top and a mild version of the three doors in January 1998 but the updates are limited to improving what was already well and of course, Toyota has added value to the vehicle as the Toyota RAV4 market segment has become more competitive.

Toyota launched the Toyota RAV4 in the UK in June 1994, just three doors. There were two versions available - the Toyota RAV4 and the Toyota RAV4 GX high specification. The GX offered two removable sunroofs, central locking, tilt steering column, electric door mirrors, driver's airbag and an alarm / engine immobilizer standard.

In March 1995 the entry-level three-door Toyota RAV4 was re-Badge GS as the RAV4 and a new five-door GX model was introduced. The five-door is 16 inches longer overall than the three-door with a capacity of five people.

Pretensioners for front seat belts were introduced in the implementation of the five-door and it was also available on Toyota RAV4 three-door model in September 1995. Lock the wheel was also added as standard nuts for all models Toyota RAV4 door at this time.

October 1996 saw a number of enhancements for all models Toyota RAV4, which included the installation of dual front airbags as standard, a large rear mount stop lamp and the 2.0-liter 16v engine was adapted for cleaner emissions, less noise and over par. Maximum torque increased to 131 pounds feet of 4600rpm peak power, while slightly decreased 126bhp at 5400RPM.

In March 1997, a new luxury five-door VX is added to the range. The VX is available with five-door manual or automatic transmission and adds the following elements to the already offered in the full level of the five-door GX: air conditioning, antilock brakes, larger alloy wheels, tires and wheel, extensions, a Connolly leather interior in either gray or burgundy, a rear roof spoiler and front to improve the handling of keys.

In December 1997, the Toyota RAV4 is lower given their first face since its launch. In connection with the facelift RAV4 range, Toyota also introduced a Soft-Top version of the three-door RAV4. The introduction of the Soft-Top Model, and the changes that were made to the range are presented in detail as follows:

The exterior of the door mirrors and door handles are now colored according to a more coherent and a new design has been chosen for the steel wheels fitted as standard with the EX and GX models. Four new exterior colors are available - Magna Red, Cool Water (blue), and British green power Green.

A multitude of detail changes keep the new Toyota RAV4 interior a fun, but to be functional. All models are subjected to textiles and cloth headrest door decorations, a titanium-finished look to the instrument panel surround and the airbag is a sporty three-spoke steering wheel design.

The instrument now has a brand of carbon fiber and the automatic transmission in cars include a selector screen now. A single electric sunroof replaced twice now manual / removable sunroofs previously available in the three-door model GX. New seat two seats, are introduced in the five-door models.

Best sounds come courtesy of a new audio system with four speakers and removable front panel for security control automatic "one-touch" installation is added to the driver's electric window function. For convenience, the locking and unlocking all the doors can be operated from the front passenger side door and the driver's side door lock.