Driving the original Toyota RAV4 – the first SUV meant for the road
Car changing is a big deal
The RAV4 has become one of the biggest-selling cars in the world, but the original model is very different from the big hybrid Toyota will sell you today. Deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire got behind the wheel to see what a 90s SUV has to offer in 2026
SUVs account for a vast amount of new car sales – over half of European registrations, and the same in the USA. But back in the 1990s, that wasn’t the case. Your options for a high-riding, rugged vehicle were severely limited – and you would have inevitably ended up with a bulky, heavy and expensive body-on-frame off-roader such as a Range Rover or a Mitsubishi Shogun.
It’s into this market that Toyota launched the first real ‘soft-roader’, or crossover, whatever you prefer to call it. The RAV4 – standing for ‘Recreational Active Vehicle’ – was designed for going off the beaten track, but not too far. It was built around similar underpinnings to the Corolla and Carina family cars, without a heavy ladder chassis or a big, thirsty engine.
It really was the first of these vehicles designed primarily for the tarmac, and so immensely popular vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai or Volkswagen Tiguan all owe the RAV4 a debt of gratitude for blazing the trail.
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This three-door model from Toyota UK’s heritage fleet is well-used, with over 130,000 miles on the clock, but looks charming in the metal. It has a sturdy stance with a wheel at each corner, and the two-tone roof finish, black plastic cladding, offset rear number plate and spare tyre on the back just suit it down to a T.
It’s absolutely tiny compared to modern SUVs, and you’d be hard-pushed to find any three-door alternatives. It’s also super-lightweight, weighing less than 1,200kg – the modern RAV4 is more like 1,800kg.
That’s despite this model being significantly more of an off-roader than most SUVs today. The 90s RAV4 has full-time four-wheel drive and a locking differential, plus ample ground clearance. There’s no low-range transmission or chunky tyres, but you’ll definitely get way further than you would in a 2026 alternative such as a Nissan Qashqai or a Vauxhall Frontera, both of which are fragile front-drivers.
On the tarmac, it’s pretty fun. The engine is Toyota’s tried-and-tested 2.0-litre petrol, producing 129hp and paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. Output is modest but the car’s light weight means it feels really nippy, though you do have to work the engine quite hard. The gearbox action isn’t the slickest either, and in top gear you’ll see about 3,500rpm at 70mph, which makes long journeys quite noisy and tiring.
The steering is very familiar if you’ve driven lots of cars from the ‘90s – an era before manufacturers worked out how to make power steering feel natural. It’s very light and over-assisted, but still feels lovely and direct. The RAV4 leans a lot in the corners, and if you carry too much speed it’ll wash wide – but if you strike up a nice rhythm it’s actually really satisfying to drive on a country road. And quick manoeuvres in town are a doddle, helped by absolutely acres of visibility.
Those huge windows surround you with only wire-thin pillars blocking your view. It’s a real change from the pillbox view you get out of some new SUVs, with modern crash safety regs ensuring huge glasshouses and skimpy body integrity remains in the past.
Inside, the RAV4 isn’t quite as cheerful as its exterior. It’s very 1990s – veiny grey plastic and cheap-feeling interior finishes abound, plus you miss out on any steering wheel adjustment so getting comfy isn’t a given. Still, the seat upholstery is suitably period with its jazzy finish, and you get some concessions to modern life – there are even a couple of cupholders.
It’s not that cramped, either. Stepping into the rear is made easy by thin front seats and large doors, and once you’re there a six-foot adult can fit behind a front passenger of a similar size. The boot, accessed via an enormous and inconvenient side-hinged rear door, is tiny. But the loading sill is so low, and the rear seats fold fully away so easily, that transporting big items is genuinely easier than it would be in a modern RAV4.
Buying a Mk1 RAV4 isn’t filled with as many pitfalls as most classics. Models are available on all the popular selling sites for as little as £1,000, though spending upwards of £2,000 is more likely to buy you something in decent condition. There are rather more three-door models available than the later five-doors – they’re cuter and more desirable – and if you wanted something slightly more modern the Mk2 model produced from 2000 didn’t really deviate from the original recipe too much.
And because it’s a Toyota, you can buy one with confidence. They’re well-built and generally reliable, and don’t even suffer too much from rust. Keep an eye out for previous owners who may have taken them off-roading, look for regular servicing and check the few problem areas for rust, and you’ll have a seriously usable modern classic.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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