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

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(Pacific Associate Stores. Limited)

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1345 Marine

(near Lions Gate)

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