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Caution: we're about to make a case for the 'absolutely brilliant' Mk1 Toyota RAV4

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Caution: we're about to make a case for the 'absolutely brilliant' Mk1 Toyota RAV4 | Top Gear

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One of Top Gear's very guilty pleasures is a... crossover. Hold on tight, Internet…

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Caution: we're about to make a case for the 'absolutely brilliant' Mk1 Toyota RAV4

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
One of Top Gear's very guilty pleasures is a... crossover. Hold on tight, Internet…

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
One of Top Gear's very guilty pleasures is a... crossover. Hold on tight, Internet…

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Caution: we're about to make a case for the 'absolutely brilliant' Mk1 Toyota RAV4

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Caution: we're about to make a case for the 'absolutely brilliant' Mk1 Toyota RAV4

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Caution: we're about to make a case for the 'absolutely brilliant' Mk1 Toyota RAV4

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
One of Top Gear's very guilty pleasures is a... crossover. Hold on tight, Internet…

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Is it a crossover? Is it an SUV? Well, technically it’s a Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive. Yep, it’s the dinky little Mk1 RAV4, and it is absolutely brilliant.

Arriving in May 1994 looking like an adult-sized version of the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, the RAV4 and its car-like monocoque chassis (which shared bits with the Carina and Corolla) created a whole new niche of its own. And yes, you could say that finding that niche led to the crossovers of today, but don’t hold that against the ultra-cute RAV4.

Initially launched as a brilliantly 90s three-door, the original RAV4 was powered by a 2.0-litre 16-valve four-pot and claimed “car-like handling” thanks to its construction. However, it also had permanent four-wheel drive to get it down a rutted track or across a beach. Yep, it was a proper lifestyle vehicle.

A five-door was added in 1995 before a facelift and soft-top arrived in 1998, but it’s those early three-doors that have aged the best in my eyes. Okay there’s plenty of solid black plastics on the inside and even more covering the lower section of the body outside, but it’s built-for-purpose. No need to worry about scratches or fender benders here – the RAV4 is off on an adventure again.

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Back in the day you could have a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto gearbox, and the RAV4 didn’t weigh much more than a tonne. It had a super short wheelbase, no boot space whatsoever, giant B-pillars, and a slightly drab interior that was livened up with some funky seat fabrics and floor mats.

Heck, they even made a full EV from 1997 to 2003. That was mainly for California, but it got a 27kWh battery and claimed around 100 miles of range. Ahead of its time once again!

Honda tried to play catch up with the CR-V, and it took three years for Land Rover to get the rival Freelander out the door.

Oh, and the best bit? Nowadays you can pick up an early three-door RAV4 for not much more than £1,000. The perfect little modern classic SUV? Nope, but it is the perfect modern classic Recreational Active Vehicle.

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Is it a crossover? Is it an SUV? Well, technically it’s a Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive. Yep, it’s the dinky little Mk1 RAV4, and it is absolutely brilliant.

Arriving in May 1994 looking like an adult-sized version of the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, the RAV4 and its car-like monocoque chassis (which shared bits with the Carina and Corolla) created a whole new niche of its own. And yes, you could say that finding that niche led to the crossovers of today, but don’t hold that against the ultra-cute RAV4.

Initially launched as a brilliantly 90s three-door, the original RAV4 was powered by a 2.0-litre 16-valve four-pot and claimed “car-like handling” thanks to its construction. However, it also had permanent four-wheel drive to get it down a rutted track or across a beach. Yep, it was a proper lifestyle vehicle.

A five-door was added in 1995 before a facelift and soft-top arrived in 1998, but it’s those early three-doors that have aged the best in my eyes. Okay there’s plenty of solid black plastics on the inside and even more covering the lower section of the body outside, but it’s built-for-purpose. No need to worry about scratches or fender benders here – the RAV4 is off on an adventure again.

Back in the day you could have a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto gearbox, and the RAV4 didn’t weigh much more than a tonne. It had a super short wheelbase, no boot space whatsoever, giant B-pillars, and a slightly drab interior that was livened up with some funky seat fabrics and floor mats.

Heck, they even made a full EV from 1997 to 2003. That was mainly for California, but it got a 27kWh battery and claimed around 100 miles of range. Ahead of its time once again!

Honda tried to play catch up with the CR-V, and it took three years for Land Rover to get the rival Freelander out the door.

Oh, and the best bit? Nowadays you can pick up an early three-door RAV4 for not much more than £1,000. The perfect little modern classic SUV? Nope, but it is the perfect modern classic Recreational Active Vehicle.

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One of Top Gear's very guilty pleasures is a... crossover. Hold on tight, Internet…