We last conducted a test of Toyota's small but plucky RAV4 SUV in 2001. In that year, the RAV4 was freshly redesigned, having become more powerful and refined than the first RAV4 sold from 1996 to 2000. Our 2001 road test commented favorably on the little 'ute's responsive handling and useful interior but gave low marks for a high sticker price, a relative lack of power and the unavailability of side airbags. We also conducted a comparison test that year; it pitted the RAV4 against the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra and Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. The RAV4 tied for fourth place.
Since then, the small SUV market has become even more crowded. Saturn and Mitsubishi have their own new offerings now and other carmakers' models, such as the Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V, have had recent full redesigns. It seems that consumers have been enticed by the alternatives; sales of 2003 RAV4s decreased by approximately 15 percent as compared to the previous year.
Fortunately, Toyota is not a company keen on letting its product become the automotive equivalent of four-day-old leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. As such, it has made a number of midlifecycle changes to the 2004 model to address previous complaints and to keep the RAV4 in trim form. Headlining the changes are a larger and more powerful engine, slight exterior styling updates, new safety enhancements and upgraded interior trim.
Being the car-testing mavens that we are, we decided to acquire an all-wheel-drive 2004 RAV4 and find out how well Toyota has fared. It was immediately apparent that this particular test vehicle was optioned to a level that even Ben Affleck would find suitable for keeping JLo happy. It had the "L" trim, which means a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, a tonneau cover for the cargo bay, privacy glass, color-keyed bumpers and door handles, power heated exterior mirrors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, a hard spare tire cover and integrated foglights. In addition, ours had an automatic transmission, a power moonroof, special wheels and color-keyed fender flares (available only on AWD L models), leather-trimmed seats, head-protecting side-curtain airbags, an anti-theft system, a JBL premium sound system, a roof rack and rear spoiler, a Homelink garage door opener, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and daytime-running lights. Oh, and floor mats and mudguards. The total? Steel your gut for this body blow: $27,349. Oomph.
Should you be buying a 2004 RAV4 and happen to have a budget not as, er, fiscally loose as the federal government's, you'll have to be rather picky as to what options to order. The base price for a four-wheel-drive RAV4 is $20,800 — $1,725 more than a similar 2003 model. While this might seem like a rather hefty yearly increase, it can be attributed to a significant increase in standard equipment. Much of what was optional last year — including air conditioning, a better sound system, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, variable intermittent wipers and power windows, door locks and mirrors — is standard for 2004.
In addition to the extra standard features, the RAV4 has a new engine in the form of a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder, very similar to the one used in four-cylinder Camry models. It produces 161 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 165 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Though you'll unlikely be bringing up torque output at dinner parties ("Hi Bob. How are the kids? Pneumonia, eh? Too bad. Hey, did I tell you that my new RAV4 has 165 lb-ft of torque?"), this is the more important figure of the two to brag about. Whereas the previous 2.0-liter (148-hp, 142 lb-ft) could occasionally seem a bit weedy, especially when compared against some V6s found in the competition, the new 2.4's extra grunt adds much to the RAV4's everyday usability. Medium-speed overtaking and long grinds up hills, in particular, are more carefree.
To our dismay, we weren't able to perform any instrumented tests on our test vehicle to fully determine how the RAV4's acceleration times have improved. In mixed driving around Los Angeles, we averaged 23 mpg in our test vehicle. The EPA ratings for a 2004 all-wheel-drive RAV4 with an automatic are 22 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway (the same as a similarly spec'd 2003 model), and the engine is ULEV-certified.
The rest of the powertrain is the same as last year's, which means a choice of front-wheel drive (2WD) or full-time all-wheel drive, and either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. As observed during our previous drive, we found the automatic to be well sorted. It provides quick shifts and possesses reasonable intelligence as to gear selection. Also as before, we deemed the permanent all-wheel-drive system best suited for increased traction on unimproved roads or slicked pavement rather than seriously rocky terrain. With just 6.7 inches of ground clearance, the RAV4 is no trail-busting rig.
The flip side, however, is that the RAV4 possesses some of the best handling traits found in the small SUV class. The suspension is taut and the steering quick. Laced up with the optional 235/60R16 tires, our test vehicle had plenty of grip for cornering. There's enjoyment to be had by driving the RAV4 on curvy roads, something that can't be said about many other small SUVs. Toyota says that it changed the vehicle's suspension tuning and steering this year for better response; without a 2003 model on hand for comparison, we were hard-pressed to notice any difference. Considering that all of the extra equipment for 2004 has pushed the RAV4's curb weight past 3,000 pounds (for the first time in its life, actually), we'll call it a wash.
More dramatic changes can be found in the area of active and passive safety systems. Formerly optional, the antilock brake system with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist is now included on every RAV4. It's bundled with disc brakes all around, a change from last year's front disc/rear drum setup. There's also a new Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, also standard, that helps keep the vehicle going on its intended course by detecting and limiting potentially hazardous skids or spins. The system works in conjunction with a traction control system and cannot be defeated by the driver. There's also a new standard tire pressure monitor that warns the driver of a serious loss of tire pressure, a condition that can potentially lead to loss of stability and control.
In our limited testing of the VSC system, we found that it worked as advertised, which means that it can save a driver's bacon in most common situations — wrench the wheel at 95 mph, though, and it's likely only God will be there to help you out. Well, plus the RAV4's passive safety equipment. For 2004, the RAV4 has new multistage front airbags that inflate according to impact severity and passenger weight. Front side airbags and first- and second-row curtain side airbags are newly available. We would expect that the airbags would help improve the vehicle's side-impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the vehicle, sans side airbags, a "Poor" rating for side impacts. The IIHS also cites the RAV4 as being expensive to repair if damage occurs to the rear of the vehicle because it lacks a rear bumper.
That aside, the RAV4 has a lot going for it in 2004. The added standard equipment and bigger engine have made it a much more desirable SUV and Toyota has done well in addressing its previous shortcomings. Though its high price makes us pause, we'd still certainly recommend it to small SUV shoppers who are wise on picking options or those equipped with an extra-large budget. The RAV4 offers most of the best SUV attributes — the high seating position, the cargo room and the option of 4WD — without much liability in return. Those wanting some fun out of their small SUV, as well as a reputation for quality, will be well served by this pleasantly updated 2004 RAV.
Since then, the small SUV market has become even more crowded. Saturn and Mitsubishi have their own new offerings now and other carmakers' models, such as the Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V, have had recent full redesigns. It seems that consumers have been enticed by the alternatives; sales of 2003 RAV4s decreased by approximately 15 percent as compared to the previous year.
Fortunately, Toyota is not a company keen on letting its product become the automotive equivalent of four-day-old leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. As such, it has made a number of midlifecycle changes to the 2004 model to address previous complaints and to keep the RAV4 in trim form. Headlining the changes are a larger and more powerful engine, slight exterior styling updates, new safety enhancements and upgraded interior trim.
Being the car-testing mavens that we are, we decided to acquire an all-wheel-drive 2004 RAV4 and find out how well Toyota has fared. It was immediately apparent that this particular test vehicle was optioned to a level that even Ben Affleck would find suitable for keeping JLo happy. It had the "L" trim, which means a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, a tonneau cover for the cargo bay, privacy glass, color-keyed bumpers and door handles, power heated exterior mirrors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, a hard spare tire cover and integrated foglights. In addition, ours had an automatic transmission, a power moonroof, special wheels and color-keyed fender flares (available only on AWD L models), leather-trimmed seats, head-protecting side-curtain airbags, an anti-theft system, a JBL premium sound system, a roof rack and rear spoiler, a Homelink garage door opener, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and daytime-running lights. Oh, and floor mats and mudguards. The total? Steel your gut for this body blow: $27,349. Oomph.
Should you be buying a 2004 RAV4 and happen to have a budget not as, er, fiscally loose as the federal government's, you'll have to be rather picky as to what options to order. The base price for a four-wheel-drive RAV4 is $20,800 — $1,725 more than a similar 2003 model. While this might seem like a rather hefty yearly increase, it can be attributed to a significant increase in standard equipment. Much of what was optional last year — including air conditioning, a better sound system, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, variable intermittent wipers and power windows, door locks and mirrors — is standard for 2004.
In addition to the extra standard features, the RAV4 has a new engine in the form of a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder, very similar to the one used in four-cylinder Camry models. It produces 161 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 165 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Though you'll unlikely be bringing up torque output at dinner parties ("Hi Bob. How are the kids? Pneumonia, eh? Too bad. Hey, did I tell you that my new RAV4 has 165 lb-ft of torque?"), this is the more important figure of the two to brag about. Whereas the previous 2.0-liter (148-hp, 142 lb-ft) could occasionally seem a bit weedy, especially when compared against some V6s found in the competition, the new 2.4's extra grunt adds much to the RAV4's everyday usability. Medium-speed overtaking and long grinds up hills, in particular, are more carefree.
To our dismay, we weren't able to perform any instrumented tests on our test vehicle to fully determine how the RAV4's acceleration times have improved. In mixed driving around Los Angeles, we averaged 23 mpg in our test vehicle. The EPA ratings for a 2004 all-wheel-drive RAV4 with an automatic are 22 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway (the same as a similarly spec'd 2003 model), and the engine is ULEV-certified.
The rest of the powertrain is the same as last year's, which means a choice of front-wheel drive (2WD) or full-time all-wheel drive, and either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. As observed during our previous drive, we found the automatic to be well sorted. It provides quick shifts and possesses reasonable intelligence as to gear selection. Also as before, we deemed the permanent all-wheel-drive system best suited for increased traction on unimproved roads or slicked pavement rather than seriously rocky terrain. With just 6.7 inches of ground clearance, the RAV4 is no trail-busting rig.
The flip side, however, is that the RAV4 possesses some of the best handling traits found in the small SUV class. The suspension is taut and the steering quick. Laced up with the optional 235/60R16 tires, our test vehicle had plenty of grip for cornering. There's enjoyment to be had by driving the RAV4 on curvy roads, something that can't be said about many other small SUVs. Toyota says that it changed the vehicle's suspension tuning and steering this year for better response; without a 2003 model on hand for comparison, we were hard-pressed to notice any difference. Considering that all of the extra equipment for 2004 has pushed the RAV4's curb weight past 3,000 pounds (for the first time in its life, actually), we'll call it a wash.
More dramatic changes can be found in the area of active and passive safety systems. Formerly optional, the antilock brake system with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist is now included on every RAV4. It's bundled with disc brakes all around, a change from last year's front disc/rear drum setup. There's also a new Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, also standard, that helps keep the vehicle going on its intended course by detecting and limiting potentially hazardous skids or spins. The system works in conjunction with a traction control system and cannot be defeated by the driver. There's also a new standard tire pressure monitor that warns the driver of a serious loss of tire pressure, a condition that can potentially lead to loss of stability and control.
In our limited testing of the VSC system, we found that it worked as advertised, which means that it can save a driver's bacon in most common situations — wrench the wheel at 95 mph, though, and it's likely only God will be there to help you out. Well, plus the RAV4's passive safety equipment. For 2004, the RAV4 has new multistage front airbags that inflate according to impact severity and passenger weight. Front side airbags and first- and second-row curtain side airbags are newly available. We would expect that the airbags would help improve the vehicle's side-impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the vehicle, sans side airbags, a "Poor" rating for side impacts. The IIHS also cites the RAV4 as being expensive to repair if damage occurs to the rear of the vehicle because it lacks a rear bumper.
That aside, the RAV4 has a lot going for it in 2004. The added standard equipment and bigger engine have made it a much more desirable SUV and Toyota has done well in addressing its previous shortcomings. Though its high price makes us pause, we'd still certainly recommend it to small SUV shoppers who are wise on picking options or those equipped with an extra-large budget. The RAV4 offers most of the best SUV attributes — the high seating position, the cargo room and the option of 4WD — without much liability in return. Those wanting some fun out of their small SUV, as well as a reputation for quality, will be well served by this pleasantly updated 2004 RAV.
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