THE spiralling prices
of mid-sized sport util-
ity vehicles, some now
into the $40,000
range, has prompted
many sport-ute buyers
to look at cheaper
compact models,

‘Toyota's s RAVE is the fat-
est entry in this growing
class of small spore utility
vehicles which now includes
the recently-redesigned Jeep

“TY, the soon-to-be marketed
Honda CR-V, and the popu-
lar Geo Tracker/Pontiac
Sunrunner/Suzuki Sidekick
triplets which are due for a
major redesign next year,

* SRAV4” stands for
Recreational Active Vehicle
with four-wheel-drive.
Unlike the Tracker,
Sunrunner.and Sidekick
which have rear-wheel-drive
and part-time four-wheel-
drive systems, the RAV4 has
front-wheel-drive or an

-optional full-time four-
wheel-drive system. (RAV4’s
with front-wheel-drive are
still called RAV4’s, not
RAV2’s).

The RAV4’s four-wheel-
drive system runs in front-
whcel-drive when traction is
good, but if the front wheels

- start to lose traction, power
is automatically transferred
to the rear wheels. This sys-
tem has the advantage of
being totally automatic — -
there’s no shift lever required

NEWS photo Brad Ladwidge

THE 1997 Toyota RAV4 is a new compact sport utliity vehicle that comes in two and four-door body styles,
and has standard front-wheel-drive or optional full-time four-wheel-drive avaitable en four-door models. A 120
horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is standard equipment. Test drive Toyota's newest sport utility at Jim
Pattison Toyota, 1765 Marine Drive, North Vancouver (985-0591).

to put it into four-wheel-
drive. And unlike part-time
systems, Toyata’s full-time
system won't damage the
drivetrain when the vehicle is
driven on dry pavement.

The RAV4’s all-wheel-
drive system enhances trac-
tion, improves directional
stability i in Wet or snowy con-
ditions, and improves han-
dling on slippery surfaces,

The only significant disad-
vantage to Toyota’s system is
that it doesn’t offer a low
range for tackling serious
uphill and downhill climbs
off-road.

Like the popular
Tracker/Sidekick, the RAV4

is available in two and four-
door versions. The two-door
model comes with front-
wheel-drive only, has a
wheelbase that is 270 mm
(8.3 in.) shorter than the
four-door model, and seats
four passengers. Four-door
RAV4’s offer front-wheel-
drive or all-wheel-drive, seat
five passengers, and have a
larger cargo area behind the
rear seat.

Unlike the Tracker,
Sunrunner, Sidekick, and
Jeep TJ, the RAV4 is not
available with a convertible
top.

Though this is a relatively
tall, boxy sport-utility vehi-

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cle, it drives more like a car
than a truck. This is due
mostly to its rigid, car-like
unit-body construction, fully
independent suspension, and
standard 16-inch tires, all of
which contribute to car-like
ride and handling character:
istics.

tn addition, the RAV+4's
compact size, engine-speed
sensitive power-assisted steer-
ing, excellent outward visibil-
ity, high seating position, and
good off-the-line accelera-
tion make it easy and com-

tortable to drive around
towa,

A standard 120 herse-
power 2.0-lirre DOHC, 16-
valve four-cylinder engine
provides peppy performance
in urban or suburban envi-
ronments and the automatic
transmission in my test yehi-
cle changed very snioothly.

All RAV 4's, except the
front-wheel- drive, four-door
model, come with a standard
five speed manual transmis-

See Toyota page 46

Price as tested:
$30,876
ase prices $20,348
Type: tour-door, five:
passenger sport utility

Layouts transverse

front engine /all-wheel-

drive

Engine: 2.0-lare fioue-
cylinder, DOHC, 16
valves

Horsepower: 120 @
5,660 npan,

Tires: 215/70R-16
all-season

Wheelbase: 2,410 mm
{94.9 in.)

Length: 4,115 wm
(162.0)

Width: 1,695 num
(66,7 in}

Height: 1.660 mm
{65.3 in.)

Cargo area: rear seat
up — 890 lines (31.4
cu. ft}; rear seat
down —-. 1,640 litres
(57.9 cu. ft.)

Fusl consumption:
City — 11.1 1/100
kms (25 mp.g.); Hwy
-- 8.7 P/100 kas (32
m.p.g.)
Warranty: Basic —
three years, 60,000
kins; Powertrain —

five years/109,000 km

Please call for an appointment

Government Certified Uesnged Technicians
H Compiele automotive services auailanie

We wave the North Shore coversil ?

CANAL

days a weel
Your alternative te high priced au te repair Hl

an TIRE

(Pacific Associate Stores. Limited)

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