IF you compare
the 2000 Toyota
RAV4 with the
best-selling vehicle
in the compact
SUV class, the
Honda CR-V,
you'll find that the
RAV4 comes up
short in interior
room, interior design, horsepower, and
refinement.

Though de RAV4 was one of the first compact, car-
like SUVs on the market in 1997, and is still one of the
most popular, it has been surpassed by newer, roomier
SUVs which offer more power, interior room and refine-
ment.

Tovota engineers have addressed many of these short-
comings in the redesigned 2001 RAV4, although unlike
some newer SUVs, the 2001 RAV4 doesi’t offer an
optional V6 engine.

By the wy, the two-door RAV4 has been discontin-
ued for 200] ieaving only the four door model.

Much improved interior

The current RAV4’s narrow cabin and uninspired
dashboard design have been replaced by a wider, roomier
cabin with a inore expressive dashboard and interior
design and improved seating versatility and cargo-carry~
ing capacity.

The new RAV4 is 35 mm (2.4 in.) longer, 40 mm
(1.6 in.) wider, 20 mm (0.8 in.) taller, and has a wheel-
base that is 80 mm (3-2 in.) longer — this gives front
and rear passengers considerably more headroom,
legroom and hiproom and increases cargo space.

The new interior is also much sportier than the previ-
ous interior, and offers improved ergonomics. A bright
faux-mecallic trim is on the dash, around the shift lever,
and om the door grips, and different shades of interior
plastic while dimpled vinyl accents add variety and
colour.

_ The driver faces three créme-coloured round gauges
inset in three pods — unusually, the tachometer is in the middle
and the speedometer is on the teft. The upper AM/FM/CD
player has large buttons and the new heating/air conditioning
controls consist of large round dials. The console inciudes two
power points and nwo cupholders with sliding extensions to
grip any size cup. Rear passengers also have two fold-out
cupholders.

The interior offers more legroom than before, and the raised
front seats allow more footroom for rear passengers. Four adult
passengers are comfortable, but three can be squeezed in the

ack seat.

Standard safety features include five three-point seatbelts,
four height-adjustable head restraints, rear child seat anchors,
and dual front airbags. The front seats now incorporate a fea-
ture which reduces whiplash on front occupants in low-speed
rear-end collisions. Also, the headliners are now designed to
teduce the severity of head impacts in a collision. Side or head
airbags are not available.

Removeable rear seats
I was quite impressed with the versatility of the seating
arrangements and the amount of cargo space available in such a
_short vehicle. The front seatbacks can now fold back to a hori-

brakes and transmissions. Prices ran
Marine Drive, North Vancouver.

zontal position allowing fong objects to be carried on the pas-
senger side. The ingenious split 50/50 rear seats slide fore and
aft, recline, flip and fold forwards, and can be removed from
the vehicle. Unlike most removeable seats which are often
heavy, the RAV4°s rear seats are lightweight and easy to carry.

Even though the RAV4 is 315 mm (12.4 in.) shorter than a
CR-V, it has almost exactly the same amount of cargo space
with the rear seats removed: 67.4 cubic feet of cargo area com-
pared to 67.1 cu. ft. for the CR-V. The secret is a rear cargo
floor that is a few inches lower — this adds space and makes it
easier to load items from the rear.

There are additional storage areas under the cargo floor, in
the rear side walls, and cargo anchor hooks to tie down loose
cargo. A privacy cover and cargo net are available as options.

The rear cargo door swings out sideways (like a regular
door) towards the curb. The problem with this is that if you’re
parked on the street, the rear door blocks your way to the curb
and, if you're too close to the car behind you, it's difficult to
open the door. On the plus side, the rear door is easy to open,
and the rear spare tre which is mounted on the rear door
swings out with the door rather than having to be moved sepa-
rately.

The rear door can be locked and unlocked with a key or

NEWS photo Mike Waketield

REDESIGNED for the first time since its introduction in 7997, the 2001 Toyota RAV4 has more interior room and
cargo space, innovative seating arrangements, 17 per cent more horsepower, an improved all-wheel-drive system,
ge from $23,260 to $32,765. Test drive the RAV4 at Jim Pattison Toyota, 1765

remote key fob, and has a daor handle that’s easy to grip. The
rear window has a standard defroster, wiper and washer, but it
doesn’t open separately from the tailgate.

More useable power

The RAV4’s previous 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine has been
replaced by an all-new engine of the same size but with 17 per
cent more horsepower, eight per cent more torque, and better
fuel economy and emissions. This new 148-horsepower, twin
cam, 16-valve engine incorporates Toyota’s variable valve tim-
ing with intelligence (VVT-I), a system that enhances engine
torque at all speeds while improving fuel consumption and
emissions. ;

The increase in horsepower was also accomplished by
improving the air intake system and introducing a new two-way
exhaust control valve.

Durability has been improved by replacing the timing belt
with a timing chain, adding direct ignition with one coil for
each cylinder, and new iridium spark plugs which have a life of
192,000 kilometres.

Fuel consumption of 10.5 litres/100 km (27 m.p.g.) in the

Sce New pane St

Spectacular Acura For 2001.

The 2001 Acura 7 EL priced at S21.500 MSNP*

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