Review: Toyota XA20 RAV4 (2000-05)

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• Flexible 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE petrol engine
• Comfortable front seats
• Competent ride/handling balance
• Improved ride comfort for XA20.II RAV4
• Accurate steering

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• 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE petrol engine lacks low-rev torque
• Limited rear seat space
• ABS not standard
• Wind and tyre noise at highway speeds

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Review: Toyota XA20.I RAV4 (2000-03)

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Overview

Released in July 2000, the Toyota XA20 Series I (CA20.I) RAV4 was a four-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured in Japan, the RAV4 was available in three- or five-door bodies and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine; transmission options consisted of a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual. The XA20.I RAV4 range initially consisted of Edge and Cruise variants, though limited-run Advantage and Extreme variants were offered in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

1AZ-FE Engine

The RAV4’s 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had an open-deck aluminium block with cast iron cylinder liners, an aluminium cylinder head, a forged steel crankshaft, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (Toyota’s ‘VVT-i’) and a compression ratio of 9.6:1.

Dimensions

The three-door RAV4 models were 3800 mm long, 1735 mm wide, 1665 mm tall and had a 2280 mm long wheelbase. The five-door models, however, were 395 mm longer (at 4195 mm), 50 mm wider (1785 mm), 40 mm taller (1705 mm) and had 210 mm longer wheelbase (2490 mm).

Suspension

The RAV4 had MacPherson strut front suspension with L-shaped lower arms and double wishbone rear suspension. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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4WD system

The XA20 RAV4 had a full-time, permanent four-wheel drive system with a viscous-coupled centre differential. As such, the viscous coupling would lock when wheelspin occurred to equalise the speed of the front and rear axles, effectively transferring torque to the wheels with traction.

Safety equipment

Standard RAV4 safety equipment included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Cruiser variant added ABS and electronic brake force distribution. In December 2002, knee protection was improved.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , a post-December 2002 RAV4 – equipped with dual front airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 25.11. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a moderate risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver. Furthermore, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver.

Features: RAV4 Edge and Cruiser

Standard features for the RAV4 Edge included 16-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser. Inside, the 50/50 split and flat folding second row seats also featured fore/aft slide adjustment and could be removed if desired.

The RAV4 Cruiser was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, roof rails and rear spoiler. Visually, the Cruiser could be identified by its body-coloured bumpers, mirrors, side protection mouldings and door handles.

2002 RAV4 Advantage

In March 2002, a limited-run five-door RAV4 Advantage was released. Based on the Edge, the Advantage was distinguished by its 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, body-coloured spare wheel cover, bumpers, mirrors, door handles and rear door moulding.

2003 RAV4 Extreme

In May 2003, the limited-run RAV4 Extreme was released. Available in three- and five-door bodies, the Extreme was also based on the Edge but added 16-inch alloy wheels, ‘Extreme’ decals and body-coloured bumpers, spare wheel cover, exterior mirrors, door handles and rear door moulding.

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota XA20.I RAV4 (July 2000)
• Press Release: Toyota XA20.I RAV4 Advantage (April 2002)
• Press Release: Toyota XA20.I RAV4 Extreme (May 2003)

Review: Toyota XA20.II RAV4 (2003-05)

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Overview

Released in September 2003, the XA20 Series II (XA20.II) RAV4 introduced a new 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE engine (detailed below), suspension bushes, steering rack ratio and recalibrated power steering pump for improved feel and greater assistance at parking speeds. A new front suspension calibration also improved ride and handling, while additional noise insulation provided greater refinement.

Visually, the XA20.II RAV4 could be identified by its new front bumper, mesh grille, front combination lamps, clear indicator lenses, rear combination lights, body-coloured door handles and hard spare wheel cover. Inside, there were reshaped seats with tilt adjustment, new dark grey trim, ignition- key illumination and a three-spoke steering wheel.

2AZ-FE engine

For the XA20.II RAV4, the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (Toyota’s ‘VVT-i’), twin counter-rotating balance shafts and a compression ratio of 9.6:1. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its XA20.I predecessor, standard safety equipment was unchanged though energy-absorbing pads under the dashboard carpet and new roof side member shapes provided greater occupant protection; five-door models were also fitted with energy absorbing head-impact protection material on the roof rails. Furthermore, electronic stability control and traction control were available as options on the Cruiser variant.

Features: RAV4 CV

As part of the update, the ‘Edge’ was replaced by the ‘CV’ as the entry-level variant and standard features were extended to include air conditioning, cruise control and reading lights.

2005 RAV4 CV Sport

In April 2005, a Sport edition of the RAV4 CV was released. Compared to the standard CV, the CV Sport featured 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, front fog lamps, rear spoiler, bonnet scoop, floor mats and ‘CV Sport’ decal.

Related links

• Press Release: Toyota XA20.II RAV4 (September 2003)
• Press Release: Toyota XA20.II RAV4 CV Sport (April 2005)
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota XA20 RAV4