2001 Toyota RAV4 Toyota RAV4 2001 Toyota RAV4 AWD Mini-Sport Utility Wagon AWD Toyota City, Japan Completely redesigned, RAV4 grows in size and gets a more powerful engine, along with edgy new styling. More room, more power, improved styling, whiplash injury-lessening seats. No V6 engine option, engine makes power too high in rev range, most desired equipment is optional. Back in 1996, the term "cute ute" was coined when Toyota released the RAV4, an acronym for Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4WD. While Suzuki had been plying these waters for years with the Sidekick (and its Chevy Tracker twin), it wasn't until the car-based RAV hit the market that small SUVs became popular. For 2001, Toyota has redesigned the RAV4. Available in five-door wagon configuration, the new RAV is taller, wider, longer and heavier than the original flavor, which results in more cabin space. To offset the weight gain, a new, all-aluminum, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is under the hood, mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic driving the front or all wheels. Making 148 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 142 foot-pounds of torque at a lofty 4,000 rpm, a front-wheel-drive RAV4 with a stick shift should accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 10.5 seconds. Adding weight, in the form of 4WD, passengers, cargo or an automatic transmission, will slow the already sluggish RAV in the stoplight drag race. Toyota needs to offer more power. Despite the inclusion of variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), the new, larger, and heavier RAV4 has difficulty getting to speed. But, on a positive note, the RAV4 is certified a low emission vehicle. Exterior styling takes cues from the existing RAV4, and melds them with a dash of Lexus RX 300 here and Infiniti QX4 there, which is entirely a good thing. Inside, overtones of Celica can be seen in the gauge cluster, steering wheel, and metallic trim pieces. Overall, the RAV has been nicely tidied up, while still adhering to the tenets of the cute ute philosophy. Standard equipment is sparse, with most of the good stuff like antilock brakes, aluminum wheels, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and a power sunroof optional. An option package bundles power windows, doors and locks with A/C, cruise control and a six-speaker sound system with both cassette and CD players. Upgrade to the "L" package and you get these goodies plus heated exterior mirrors, floor mats, dark tinted glass, fog lights, and special exterior trim. The "L" package is also your ticket to leather upholstery. A limited-slip differential is a stand-alone option on 4WD versions. New whiplash-preventing seats, combined with added passenger room, make the RAV more comfortable. Cargo area has also grown, to a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet with the rear bench seat removed (space measures 29.2 cubic feet with the back seat in use). Five new colors are available: Titanium, Impulse Red, Vintage Gold, Rainforest Mica, and Spectra Blue Mica. They complement carryover colors Natural White and Black, and all can be mated to either Gray or Oak (or both) interior hues. Equip one with leather, and you just might confuse it with a Land Cruiser -- from a distance. On second thought, naaaah. Ford Escape Honda CR-V Hyundai Santa Fe Kia Sportage Mazda Tribute Suzuki Grand Vitara 336,000 560,000 5Unlimited 8.9 sec. 129 ft. NA 4 2 liters Inline 148 hp @ 6000 rpm 142 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm 67 cu.ft. 1113 lbs. 1500 lbs. 165.4 in. 68.3 in. 66.1 in. 2877 lbs. 98 in. 35.4 ft. 8.3 in. 41.3 in. 38.4 in. 46.3 in. 53.7 in. 53.4 in. 46.5 in. 42.4 in. 32.6 in. 5 Optional Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 14.8 gal. 23 mpg / 27 mpg 22 mpg / 27 mpg 340 mi. / 400 mi. 326 mi. / 400 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $16,029 $17,615 7.35% $480 N/A 3% of the Base Invoice 2WD (5M): 2L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine with variable valve timing; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 325 amp HD battery; HD starter; 80 amp alternator; transmission oil cooler; front-wheel drive, 4.56 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 14.8 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; conventional rear cargo door; front and rear black bumpers with front tow hooks; black bodyside cladding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 16" x 6" silver styled steel wheels; P215/70SR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, cassette player, 4 speakers, retractable antenna; child-safety rear door locks, remote fuel door release; 2 power accessory outlets, frontlighter element(s), driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows, fixed 1/4 vent windows; fixed interval front windshield wipers, fixed interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver and passenger seats include 4-way adjustment; 50/50 folding rear reclining bench seat with adjustable headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front and rearcupholders, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles. AWD (5M) (in addition to or instead of 2WD (5M) equipment): Full-time 4.93 axle ratio and skid plate(s). -- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic $956 $1,050 3P1 Paint: Impulse Red $0 $0 40 Oak $0 $0 586 Paint: Vintage Gold $0 $0 6S3 Paint: Rainforest Mica $0 $0 8M6 Paint: Spectra Blue Mica $0 $0 AB 4-wheel Anti Lock Brake System $507 $590 AC Air Conditioner $788 $985 AL Wheels: Aluminum with Unpainted Overfenders $768 $835 AW Wheels: Split 5-Spoke Alloy $346 $400 AY Wheels: Aluminum with Painted Overfenders $800 $875 B1 Curved 5-Spoke 16" Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 C1 Cargo Mat $40 $63 CD Tonneau Cover $72 $90 CF Carpet Floor Mats $47 $74 CF10 Sunroof Wind Deflector $79 $109 DH Towing Receiver Hitch $199 $319 DH90 Drop Hitch Receiver $239 $339 DR Roof Rack $176 $220 GN Cargo Net $30 $45 KE Keyless Entry $176 $220 LA Leather Package $640 $800 LA10 Leather Faced Seats $795 $1,395 LC10 Stainless Steel Bull Bar $299 $399 LD Limited Slip Differential $322 $390 LD10 Stainless Steel Step Bar $298 $415 MA Front and Rear Wide Mudguards $48 $60 MG Front and Rear Mudguards $48 $60 MG40 Black Splash Guards $99 $139 MG50 Color-Keyed Splash Guards $69 $99 P5 Compact Disc Deck $194 $275 P6 6 Disc In-Dash CD Changer $414 $589 PC10 Cargo Net $40 $67 PG Rear Privacy Glass $248 $310 PL10 Cargo Liner $79 $109 PN Anti-Theft Device $80 $100 PO Power Package $608 $760 PT10 Trunk Mat $71 $99 PV40 Carpet Mats $80 $110 QO Quick Order Package $1,829 $2,295 QS90 Remote Security System $269 $429 RD10 Compact Disc Player $245 $345 RD70 6-Disc In-Dash CD Player $385 $550 RF Rear Spoiler $160 $200 RL Daytime Running Lights $32 $40 S3 Wheels: 16" Curved 5-Spoke Alloy $600 $799 S4 Wheels: 16" Fan 5-Spoke Alloy $600 $799 SA10 Accent Stripe $40 $76 SR Power Moonroof $652 $815 TG10 Fender Flares $259 $359 TU40 Tires: 4 Raised White Letter 16" $350 $425 TU50 Tires: 5 Raised White Letter 16" $437 $531 UF60 Full Tank of Gas (No charge) $11 $0 UP Upgrade L Package $2,489 $3,120 V3 V.I.P. RS3200 Deluxe Security System $275 $439 V5 V.I.P. RS3200 Plus Security System $155 $249 WL Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 WQ30 Wheels: 4 Enkei Split Spoke Alloy $499 $649 WQ40 Wheels: 4 Enkei Split Spoke Alloy w/ Tires $748 $1,048 WQ50 Wheels: 5 Enkei Split Spoke Alloy $998 $1,345 WS Steel Wheel Locks $31 $52 XY30 Toyo Guard Protection $409 $619 ZU10 Flare Step Package $526 $740 ZU20 Rav4 Sport Package $1,135 $1,798