New two-door Toyota RAV4 ia nimble ride 1 LAST Fall, Toyota ae introduced the RAV4, Pe one of a growing num- im ber of compact sport- utility vehicles which m now includes the Sezuki Sidekick / Geo | Tracker/ Pontiac s Sunrunner triplets, Suzuki X-90, Jeep TJ, fand the new Honda CR-V. There are actually two ma RAV4 models with very dis- @ tinctive characters: a four- door model which is offered & with front-whecl-drive or four-wheel-drive, and a short- er two-door niodel that (for B the present) comes with front-wheel-drive only. mS This week, I’m reviewing the baby RAV4. Just 3.7 m metres (12 fect) long, the two-door RAV4 is 410 mm ma (16.1 in.) shorter than the # four-door RAV4, and 12 cm (4.6 inches) shorter than the me popular Jecp TJ. Only the Suzuki X-90 can claim ta be shortness is exacerbated by a Se tall cabin and bold, a ssive a styling. The lower half of the RAV4. is dominated by ribbed B plastic body cladding, fender M flares, and large 16-inch tires. The upper half sports a tall “greenhouse,” prominent hip ine, big fenders, and a ie prominent rear-mounted spare tire. The nwo-door RAV4 has more character per foot than just about any other sport-ute on the mar- ker, except perhaps the Jeep But inside, there's a sur- prising amount of passenger room, The high roof and upright seating positions pro- vide all four adult passengers with ample headroom and legroom, even though the rear seats don’t have any fore/aft adjustment. The front passenger seat has a “walk-in assist” er access to the rear seat — flip the seatback forward, and the whole seat automad- cally slides forward. The seat then Engi returns to its original position. one of the few sport uulities with reclin- ing front and rear seats, and for safety, there are adjustable front and rear head restraints, and three- point safety belts in the front and rear. The two-door RAV4 has seatbelts for four passengers while the four- door model has five seatbelts — this is because the rear to alow vasi- volume: seat up — “272 litres (9.6 ci: ft.); seats “dow 887 ee (8 (7. cu. 10.1 17100 ay (28 mp6); Hwy — 7.7 1/100 kan (8 7. a o>» TRAV4 tuo-door technical data. Price as tested: $22,133, Base price:.$20, 348 : Type two-door, or, four: passen- ae 2.Dlite four-cytin- er, DOHC, 16 valves . “Transmission: four-speed automatic (five-speed manual , ‘Length 3789 mn ara seating area in the two-door - model is three inches (7.6 cm) narrower (the wheel- wells in the two-door model intrude into the rear passenger compart- ment). In addition, the two-door RAV4 has about a third of the cargo space of the four-door model — just enough for four or five grocery bags. However, if there are no rear passengers, Y City MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS If you wish to sell your vehicle directly to Mercedes Benz or if you would like a current evaluation of your vehicle, piease contact the Sales Manager at your convenience. “MERCEDES. BENZ CANADA NC Rerail Division _ ¥ $45 it gure | one or both of the split rear seats can be folded and tum- bled up against the front seatbacks — this triples the cargo room. Access to the cargo area is by a lockable, sideways-open- ing cargo door that’s hinged on the right (the rear mount- ed full-size spare tire swings with it). The rear window does not lift up separately Friday, Apri! 18, 1997 — North Shore News — 35 from the rear door. The two-door modct’s shorter wheeibase and overall length has distinct advantages when it comes to parking, manouevering in traffic, and driving off-road. The two- door’s wheelbase is 210 mm (8.3 in.) shorter than the four-door. !t’s easy to find and secure a parking spot, whip in and out of traffic, Photo Brad Ledwidguy THE Toyota RAV4, a new compact sport utility vehicle introduced last Falt, is “available in two- door and four-door models. Both offer a 120 horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, indepen- deni suspension, 16-inch tires, and 2 five year powertrain warranty. Test drive the new RAV4 at Jim Pattison Toyota at 1795 Marine Drive, North Vancouver (985-0591). and make tght turns — thanks in part ta the Rav’'s large “greenhouse” and hi: er riding height which ‘eh improves outward visibility. The RAV4’s big tires, short wheelbase, high ground clearance, and minimai front and rear overhangs also make off-road driving relatively See Room page 3@ Heart-pounding, spine-tingling exhilaration. The BMW 328i. Now with 1.9%* lease rate and 2.8 litre engine. Lease a BMW 328i by June 30, 1997, and yourll enjoy an exciting lease rate of 1.9%. When you take control of that 2.8 litre, six-cylinder, in-line engine, youll experience the driver exhiiaration to match 550 oR MORE PARK SHORE MOTORS 1500 Fell Ave, North Vancouver 985-9344 The Ultimate Driving Experience. Must presem coupon with purchase. Limit one coupos per customer. Cannot b6 combined with advertised offers, sale items or markdowns. No cash value. Purchase amounl after coupon S. ____. Valtd Apnt 18, 19, 20, 1997. 1°15" Park & Tilford Plaza + 986-5203 “Lease rates are those ofered by BMW Financial Services only, and are available on approved credit. Monthly instalments are $779 (24 months) cr $635 (36 months) for a 1997 328ic. Examples are based on a down payment or equivalent trade-in ot $5,000 on a 24 of 36. Month term, respactivaly with optional buyback. Taxes, transportation (£325), preparation ($325). licensing, registration and insurance are extra. A security deposit of approximately one month's rental will be required. A charge of up to 12 cents per kilometer applies Over 24,000 km's per year. Dealer may lease lor less. This offer anoies to limtad 1996 323i inventory ano ait new 328: models. Celivery must he taken by June 30, 1997. Trws offer may not ba combined with any other offer