The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover



The story of how Toyota is ruining their popular models.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover 

The other day I was walking around the city, enjoying the may warmth and singing of many birds. Going back to his house, I, inspired by a walk in the woods and parks, seen in front of the entrance of the car which is already “one hundred years” did not see. It was a small, but unique SUV Toyota RAV4 first generation. Do you know how sad I looked at this unusual car? Why sadly? No, I looked at the SUV not with pity, but with envy. It is not one I feel sad for this model that Toyota simply spoiled, turning it into the usual boring mass crossover, which is designed for permanent sales, discounts, etc.

 

When was the last time you seen on the roads the first generation RAV4? You look at this masterpiece of automotive art from the Country of the rising sun. Before you is a small two-door car with a short wheelbase, minimal overhangs, great ground clearance – it is not surprising that these cars were very capable SUVs.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover 

The design of this machine, of course, considerably out of date compared to the same cameras that have flooded the roads today worldwide. But despite this, the design of this machine differed considerably from the design of many cars in the 90-ies. And different in a good way. Indeed, the appearance of the first generation RAV4 was much better a terrible and ugly car in the fat 90s.

Especially pay attention to the design of the RAV4 gray plastic side panels that merge with the gray bumpers. It not only protects your SUV from body damage when driving off-road, but also gives the vehicle a unique two-tone look. But the main plus is, of course, the panel that protects the body from chips and dents that often form on the roads. Fans of off-road rallies you know what I mean. The fact that many owners of modern SUVs after several attacks on the Russian roads then you have to paint the sills and door cars. In the case with the first generation RAV4 you are not threatened.

 

 

By the way, the bodywork of the car is well designed, making it looks pretty well. Moreover, even today. Although this car is no hint of any luxury and premium class. But on the other hand, this SUV was created in order to help you have a great time not only when traveling in the city and have fun there, where the asphalt ends.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover 

Especially good are the first generation RAV4 in green color (although tastes are known, do not argue). For example, in green this car reminds me of robotation green frog. In a good way.

By the way, when this SUV first appeared on the market, it is, in principle, there is nothing and to compare. What alternative you could buy on the market in those years? Jeep Wrangler? Suziki Jimmy? But it’s not exactly analogs.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover

Also in those years the Japanese were still pretty reasonable in pricing and offered this SUV at a surprisingly competitive price tag, can not be said about modern Toyota cars, which really are not worth that much.

 

So, the 90s gave the world a good, unusual, relatively inexpensive and quite capable small SUV, which also had the same reliable quality as all the Toyota cars of those years. After all those years for company Toyota, it is commonly believed that it makes cars with incredible reliability.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover 

The continuation of the story RAV4, however, is not as happy as its beginning. You look at what has become the modern RAV4! Unfortunately, despite the availability of excellent off-road technologies, Toyota chose to alter and simplify the RAV4, turning it into a conventional crossover.

In the end, the evolution of the RAV4 has led to the fact that this machine is now primarily manufactured for mass sales and maximize profits. On the one hand, there is nothing wrong. After all, all companies should strive to earn as much as possible. But the fact is that today the modern RAV4, becoming a regular is unable crossovers, still positioned by the Japanese brand as a car with the genes of the first generation RAV4. Although in reality the latest generation of the crossover has nothing to do with the first RAV4, and the Japanese way just stuffed the price of its most popular crossover, selling it more expensive than it actually is.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover 

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved dramatically, constantly growing in size. If you look at other models of Toyota, you will find that the sizes increased and other cars. But most of all (catastrophically) has grown in size it RAV4.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover

In the end, the SUV has evolved from a quaint unique little SUV is capable in a simple, one regular (regular), no perceptible, a boring crossover, high intended to Park near the house in the snow and raking the porridge of snow in the Parking lot near the Mall.

 

The negative evolutionary process of the RAV4 began in the second generation. So, the second-generation model received a smoother corners of the body. The third generation has had a different overall tone and appearance. But despite the obvious changing the style in the second and third generation, the SUV was still vaguely reminded of his past at the expense of the interesting and beautiful exterior spare wheel hanging on the rear tailgate.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover

However, further rear external spare tire is gone from the tailgate, finally turning to conventional mass RAV4 crossover, which today released all and Sundry. Also along with this, the crossover not only continued to increase in size, but was much to gain weight, taking a step towards a completely different segment of the car market.

 

Strange one: is such a huge company with a worldwide business was not in the archive any project that would help the car brand to bring to market a model that can compete with the massive crossovers in the segment, which now competes spoiled by the latest generation of the RAV4?

Why was it necessary to spoil so fast favorite of many unique small SUV? It really is easier to create a different model, without affecting the concept of the first generation RAV4.

But, alas, Toyota for some reason thought that it would be easier to change a RAV4, turning it into a completely different car.

The Toyota RAV4 has evolved from a unique SUV in the usual boring crossover

I wonder what they think the leaders of the modern Toyota RAV4? Do they like this is boring and has no noticeable crossover?

 

Unfortunately, the market of crossovers has almost killed the market of small SUVs. Today you will be hard to purchase a real off-roader with compact dimensions. You will not buy frame Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan X-Trail and Honda HR-V, which was very capable in his time on vnedorozhe. Today, if you need a real SUV, you almost not what to choose from.

Especially if we are talking about small cars. Fortunately, fans of vnedorozhe can still buy cars like UAZ Patriot, UAZ hunter, Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Prado, Lada Niva and others. But, for example, the Nissan Patrol has become not the same. However, all of these cars are quite bulky (except the Fields). If you want to purchase a new compact real SUV, probably, except for Suzuki Jimmy, Chevrolet Niva, Lada Niva, Jeep Wrangler and UAZ and you will buy nothing. Very sad…