Road Test: Toyota RAV4 Mk1 - not as crap as you think!

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  • Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024

Комментарии • 127

  • @dnlmachine4287
    @dnlmachine4287 6 лет назад +17

    One of the best small SUV ever made.
    Simple, tough, cheap, reliable, well designed.
    IMHO gold, and agreed - as far from crap as you can get..
    Stay gold.

  • @unixnerd23
    @unixnerd23 5 лет назад +6

    Love mine to bits, superb winter car and brilliant in deep snow. Drives better than you'd think. Very good turning circle.

  • @toyotanerd2269
    @toyotanerd2269 6 лет назад +13

    Those airbags will save your life. I was rear ended in mine went into a concrete wall and rolled 3 times. Rave4 was the all around best vehicle I have ever owned I wish it had not been totaled.

  • @exionem
    @exionem 6 лет назад +25

    First gen Rav4´s are probably the most solid built vehicles ever from Toyota. The later models from the 00's don´t have the reliabiltiy of the 90s.

  • @JobeMI6
    @JobeMI6 8 лет назад +7

    We have found our new TOP GEAR presenter! Great video, so thank you! Loved the half an our window opening comment!

  • @ghostmanwayne1510
    @ghostmanwayne1510 7 лет назад +41

    i have a 1998 rav4L and it has about threehunded thousand miles on it and still a little champ

    • @citizendc9
      @citizendc9 5 лет назад +12

      The japenese motors built around 1994-1997/8 are some of the longest lasting in the world. They defy the laws of physics.

    • @Micky7545finesse
      @Micky7545finesse 2 года назад

      Yes, it's a really good car and the cabrio version is rare too

  • @BratFyre
    @BratFyre 7 лет назад +9

    Getting one myself. Can't wait.

  • @boubou230910
    @boubou230910 5 лет назад +3

    To realize how good car it is, here in Greece that we change cars almost in average 7-10 years, the first edition of Rav4 is just absent from the used cars lists in the market. Everybody still keep it cause its still works fine.

  • @theladyfingers___
    @theladyfingers___ 7 лет назад +6

    I always wanted one (a 3 door) but could never afford a new car. When I finally moved to Australia they were dirt cheap and I got one and I love it. It's not a serious offroader at all, but it's fun on dirt roads and I've rescued a large loaded van from some very slippery mud thanks to that first gear and diff lock. Also, women really like it. I always get compliments from dates.

    • @theladyfingers___
      @theladyfingers___ 7 лет назад +1

      And parking in the city is a doddle. The thing is shorter than most small hatchbacks.

    • @69Phuket
      @69Phuket 7 лет назад

      The thing?

    • @owenshebbeare2999
      @owenshebbeare2999 3 года назад

      Early ones were often bought in Australia by idiots who treated it like a Landcruiser, and the marketing and some early badging reinforced this. They will do a fair bit if driven properly off road, but true off-roaders they are/were not, though the very first gen was indeed the best if you wanted to test it, the SWB 3-doors, of course.

  • @theflyinghamster8442
    @theflyinghamster8442 7 лет назад +3

    Many thanks for the video, after watching this Iv decided to go ahead with my purchase of one! Thank you for a very informative review.

  • @Eastwood007x
    @Eastwood007x 6 лет назад +3

    Considering I see those little guys all the time, I’d say they aren’t crap at all. Used and abused, still running.

  • @TheMickvee
    @TheMickvee 5 лет назад +1

    I have the last model 3 door RAV4 that Toyota made, a 2005 XT3i. It is proving to be the best car I've ever had. Totally dependable, comfy, nice to drive and very roomy, especially with the easily removed rear seats taken out. The only downer is the fuel consumption. The 2 litre petrol engine is a bit of a gas guzzler! I get a lot of positive comments with most people asking why on earth Toyota stopped making them!

  • @PeterEmery
    @PeterEmery 5 лет назад

    I struck the "pendulum effect" at work in the 1980s: a smallish Dodge truck was required to to a heavy chain trencher, OK until highway speeds of over 65 kph were attempted downhill. Then the mass of the load effectively controlled the direction of the towing vehicle - frightening & unsafe. The distance from the towing hitch to the rear axle was approx 1.3 metres.
    Swapping the tow vehicle to a Ford tip-truck of similar size to the Dodge with the rear axle almost at the back fixed the problem: the axle to hitch distance was about 0.3 metres.

  • @nofgood4live
    @nofgood4live 7 лет назад +11

    i have one now for 4 years,. like it alot,. they pretty tough machines.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  7 лет назад +2

      They're good fun. Bit limited on the rocky lanes around here though... ruclips.net/video/rpVtk7zeVsc/видео.html

    • @yanishppt
      @yanishppt 6 лет назад

      nofgood how is the fuel consumption ?

  • @robhosking9399
    @robhosking9399 5 лет назад

    Very Interesting Insight Into The Toyota Rav 4 There Ian! Nice Styling On The First Generation Rav 4, And With That Excellent Japanese Build Quality. Should Be A Pretty Reliable Vehicle For You!!!

  • @nickaa827
    @nickaa827 7 лет назад +1

    Just bought a 5 speed 99 rav4 4wd 4door as my first car! I'm excited

  • @RandyDarkshade2
    @RandyDarkshade2 7 лет назад +4

    My mum had a 1998 model RAV 4. I never liked it's styling, but the ride was great for vehicle that is 16+ years old. But in the year or so she owned it it never once let her down, never needed any repairs done (aside from checking oil, coolant blahblahblah) She sold it due to my stepdad being disabled from a motorcycle accident, they sold it to get a car on the motorbillity scheme, she chose a Nissan Juke, again not the best looking of vehicles in my opinion but it's been a great car so far.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  7 лет назад +1

      Odd that you commented on this today. I was parked behind an absolutely identical one earlier, which put me in mind of this car.

  • @neddyhenare7897
    @neddyhenare7897 4 года назад

    I've got two...one 4 work and town the other for firewood...boat. Very versatile machine. First one cost 3,500 and the better one for 300. So happy with them both.

  • @ianinvancouverbc
    @ianinvancouverbc 5 лет назад

    proud owner of a 99 Rav4 paid $2000 for it 4 years back currently with 340,000 plus kms still rockin it drive it everyday

  • @charliemansonUK
    @charliemansonUK 5 лет назад

    I used to tow a caravan with a 2ltr shorty Frontera Sport a surprisingly good little towing vehicle.
    I'm convinced the short wheelbase helped with stability.
    Charlie 🇬🇧

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  5 лет назад +2

      The physics of that don't stack up but the RAV4 was surprisingly good. Longer is generally better, but I think having the tow bar as close as possible to the rear wheels helps too.

  • @louierants5080
    @louierants5080 8 лет назад +2

    Love this video my dad has a rav 4 1999 and it's great.

  • @akr01364
    @akr01364 6 лет назад +3

    I lost my virginity in one of those. Well, my mechanical one, anyway. A friend had one as their first car in school and when they somehow got a stick up in the engine behind the alternator I somehow got both a scar and managed to figure out how to turn the air blue.

  • @Chillmax
    @Chillmax 6 лет назад +3

    XM to Rav 4, arrest this man ;-) (although agreed on the oil burner)

  • @mr-wx3lv
    @mr-wx3lv 5 лет назад +7

    Always had a soft spot for the rav 4, but the later incarnations are horrid to look at. Why can't they carry on with the original chic and character and just modify tastefully?! Another prime example is the Ford Ka... where is the funkyness of that original design??!!

  • @jaggass
    @jaggass 6 лет назад

    The old Panda 4x4 was the same when it came to the gearbox. A very 1st short gear as it didn't have a transfer box. Is this Rav 4 still on the road?

  • @agomes1234
    @agomes1234 3 года назад

    Thank you for your review, thinking of getting 0ne

  • @TregTube
    @TregTube 5 лет назад

    I bought a 1996 3 door years ago as joke more than anything, as it looked like a pile of shite. I’m proud to tell you, she is now a championship winning rally car and also gets used as a surprisingly able greenlaning vehicle. On my channel you can find a video of it reaching VMAX on knobbly tyres. They are surprisingly good vehicles, usually dismissed because they look so god awful.

  • @carlover1015
    @carlover1015 7 лет назад +1

    The 5 Automatic Transmission Gearshift With 5-Door Looks the Best

  • @indianatone218
    @indianatone218 5 лет назад

    Hi Ian you mentioned putting new tyres on the rav how much did they cost and where did you get them 'thanks ,ant from abba .

  • @MarkAtkin
    @MarkAtkin 6 лет назад +2

    The original RAV4 was a cross between a 4x4 and a hot hatch. Since then they have got bigger and heavier with each new model. It seems like the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka have filled the gap left by Toyota.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  6 лет назад +1

      Yes, it's a strange old world really. The RAV4 was a bit too small for practicality though. 5-door was better, but lost some of that cheeky charm. Not as much as later generations did though. Shame.

  • @BobM925
    @BobM925 8 лет назад

    Ah memories of my old M-plate Toyota Carina E here. The indicator sound, the engine sound, the colours in the interior... The indicator stalk itself being on the (correct) *right* hand side of the wheel! :D The Carina was, in a word, boring. Reliable though, not very entertaining to drive - light steering etc. It did have excellent brakes though. I'd probably still have it, but it was involved in a crash in 1997, and "not repaired properly" so the rear half of the car rusted away eventually. It lasted until 2009 though and 160k miles. One clutch, half an exhaust and a few suspension bushes in its life - and service parts of course. A good car. I've never driven a RAV before, but I'd expect it to be somewhat similar.

  • @errcoche
    @errcoche 5 лет назад

    I remember when this came out and a motoring journalist having trouble categorizing it. For me it's a faux-by-four, something to drive in town when you don't have the money for a Land Rover but want to project a certain image. I used to live in Ecuador in the mid to late 90s where you have potentially much more need for off roading ability and the Vitara was very popular ( the CRV was just coming out as well as the RAV4 I suppose ). I would be tempted to go for a VItara over a RAV4 like this if I cared about negotiating rough terrain.

  • @llamedosr7843
    @llamedosr7843 7 лет назад +2

    These were great cars. Mine had 180000 when I scrapped it. Got a crv now that's just about to top that..

  • @jamescoleridge7368
    @jamescoleridge7368 5 лет назад +1

    Nothing wrong with fuel filler, just have keep an eye on the gears. Bit difficult at times to engage, gotta be firm!

  • @Elvis_TheKing
    @Elvis_TheKing 4 года назад

    Definitely my favourite car you have ever owned. Ironically, as a reliable, stylish well-liked car, it isn’t very ‘HubNut’! 😁😉

  • @tariqtvproductions
    @tariqtvproductions 4 года назад +1

    Toyota and Japanese manufacturers make the best cars in the world and that's not hyperbole! In the middle east especially Qatar The Landcruiser petrol V8's are considered national cars they're that much revered! The rav 4 is a great car, reasonable running costs and will suit the needs of most people. :)

  • @pawpawbandit3871
    @pawpawbandit3871 Год назад

    Picking up a 4-door tomorrow to last the apocalypse and then some!

  • @mikehydropneumatic2583
    @mikehydropneumatic2583 7 лет назад +1

    The Xm and RAV4 are both fun cars they are just different.

  • @garynovit
    @garynovit 5 лет назад +1

    My 1997 3 door is still running great! There are no more 3 doors for sale in Chicago . What will I buy next if mine ever dies?

  • @schlookie
    @schlookie 4 года назад

    These things will survive thermonuclear warfare.
    They're a rugged, reliable little vehicle, considering they seem to be made from the Toyota parts bin!
    The 5 door longer wheelbase model drives not too badly either.
    Along similar lines is the Daihatsu Terios which is a neat little vehicle.

  • @gatocenisozo9929
    @gatocenisozo9929 6 лет назад +3

    Yo tengo uno del mismo solo de color guindo y es muy divertido manejarlo

  • @davidhayes4814
    @davidhayes4814 5 лет назад

    Didn’t one of these RAV 4 s have the 2 litre 126 bhp engine? With little weight it must have shifted. I had a picnic with engine and even with a heavier body it really shifted.

  • @tomwinch9107
    @tomwinch9107 Год назад

    Just had the timing belt changed on my daughter's 64k miles 3 door auto RAV 4 ... it's a 1996 built, jan 97 registered vehicle, so 25 years old ... as it's a non-interference engine I was saving the pennies towards this, when the water pump sprang a leak and needed replacing ...
    With regards to acceleration, the auto version is not quick - in place of the diff-lock switch you get an 'ECT POWER' switch, which is like a sport mode switch, so it changes up a little higher up the rev range, providing slightly better acceleration in exchange for a lot more engine noise. Better acceleration is had by holding the selector in 2 until your ears bleed (joke) then selecting drive
    Lovely car, but not without it's peculiarities!

    • @tomwinch9107
      @tomwinch9107 10 месяцев назад

      Watching a number27 video where Jack asks for viewers to volunteer their cars for review lead me to search through his back catalogue ... I don't think he'd want to review any of my cars!
      This lead me to wonder if you would be interested in reviewing any of the following:
      Jan 1997 registered RAV4 3 door Auto (mentioned above, it's my wife's now) and has 66K now;
      2008 Toyota Prius with 173k on the clock - my Daughter's replacement for the rather thirsty RAV4;
      2008 Seat Altera XL ~103k ... the car with thick A pillars with wipers parking there (to improve pedestrian safety, apparently)
      I'm based near the Hampshire / Surrey boarder ... so getting the RAV4 to you could be 'interesting'!

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  10 месяцев назад

      Thanks Tom. Please email ian@hubnut.org with details and location. We're quite often in the South.

  • @thomasbegin1204
    @thomasbegin1204 4 года назад

    Is this a good deal? 1998 Rav4 convertible, 100k miles for $2100 usd. It is mentioned that the car has been restored to new last year it looks good from the pictures.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  4 года назад

      I don't know US values well enough to know if that's value. 100k miles is nothing.

    • @thomasbegin1204
      @thomasbegin1204 4 года назад

      @@HubNut I live in canada, I converted the price and mileage (CND /KM)

    • @MW-us3sv
      @MW-us3sv 2 года назад

      @@thomasbegin1204 Sounds like an absolute steal. Did you buy it ?

    • @thomasbegin1204
      @thomasbegin1204 2 года назад

      @@MW-us3sv no, I regret not buying it. Someone pulled the trigger before me

    • @MW-us3sv
      @MW-us3sv 2 года назад

      @@thomasbegin1204 Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about that. I'm in the process of buying one right now here in Australia. It has 345,000 kms. ( 214,000 miles ) Sight unseen. Things are flying off Marketplace so I jumped on it, it had only been listed 8 minutes prior. $2,000 Aus. ( $1,418 US$ ) It looks to be in fantastic shape. Has a bit of hail damage. Looks rust free. 4WD and manual.
      It won't be doing too many miles as it will be my second car. I didn't set out to actually buy one of these, I just wanted something a bit different. I then started looking into them after putting down a deposit.
      They are rather rare so that's good.

  • @petergouldbourn2312
    @petergouldbourn2312 4 года назад

    I’m liking the Rav4

  • @kelly-khengleong8503
    @kelly-khengleong8503 2 года назад

    Cannot use mine due to the clicking noise from the drive shafts. Can anyone in Kent help?

  • @rimmersbryggeri
    @rimmersbryggeri 5 лет назад

    What does RAV stand for? Random Access Vehicle? Shouldnt that be the E30 BMW?

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  5 лет назад

      Recreational Activity Vehicle (with 4 wheel drive).

  • @pierrot148
    @pierrot148 8 лет назад

    wouldn't you want to get a diesel for towing though?
    But like you said it's shockingly small, never thought it was that small. So I guess it's very light aswell then?
    I guess you'll be fine then

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  8 лет назад

      Yeah, a diesel would have been good. Couldn't find anything that quite fitted the bill. Hoping not to do too much towing with it. It's probably about 200kg lighter than the XM.

  • @robinforrest7680
    @robinforrest7680 5 лет назад +1

    Never saw this video!
    From the pre Pschooout era...

  • @deepsouthNZ
    @deepsouthNZ 5 лет назад

    i have a year 2000 5 door model, it has over 400.000 km on it and would probably do that again

  • @pgpete
    @pgpete 6 лет назад +1

    i had one of these - same colour - mine was 1994

  • @bk.intertainmentsandfunnys3263
    @bk.intertainmentsandfunnys3263 4 года назад

    Are the first rav41996 weak or strong ,than new model rav4??

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  4 года назад +1

      In some ways, stronger. I bet this is far better off-road.

    • @bk.intertainmentsandfunnys3263
      @bk.intertainmentsandfunnys3263 4 года назад

      Good, but do you think ,which rav4 is better .either the first rav41996 verse new rav4s. For me l choose first rav41996 .what about u

  • @davidsingleton9864
    @davidsingleton9864 4 года назад

    Toyota RAV 4 reliable and sensible compromise.

  • @hyena-chase2176
    @hyena-chase2176 4 года назад

    Well in my opinion no one thought the RAV4 was crap in the first place

  • @LeeTanczos
    @LeeTanczos 5 лет назад

    “farewell” :-]

  • @granskare
    @granskare 6 лет назад

    check the frames beneath your toyota - they rust easily with the frames - I had a FJ40 which also had problems with frames :)

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  6 лет назад

      These don't have a frame. ;-)

  • @griftereck
    @griftereck 6 лет назад

    I was expecting a Techno sound track. over the video of the Toyota RAVE

  • @jamescoleridge7368
    @jamescoleridge7368 5 лет назад

    Have a 5 door, manual, 180,000 mile, 1996.please come n give it a test!!

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  5 лет назад

      Hi James. Thanks, but having driven a RAV4, I know what they're like now. Hope you keep enjoying yours. Check the state of the fuel filler pipe!

    • @jamescoleridge7368
      @jamescoleridge7368 5 лет назад

      Long wheel base, different kettle of fish!

  • @jaggass
    @jaggass 8 лет назад

    What's the mpg on a RAV4?

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  8 лет назад

      First tank was 30mpg. Not owned it long enough to establish a firm benchmark yet.

    • @jaggass
      @jaggass 8 лет назад

      HubNut Good luck with the RAV4 these were once very popular.

  • @MyFabian94
    @MyFabian94 6 лет назад

    Is it me just being young or why do I prefer the Diesel Beat to the Petrol Whisper?

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  6 лет назад

      I liked diesels for a time. Now I dislike them most seriously.

    • @MyFabian94
      @MyFabian94 6 лет назад

      Well, I don't dislike Petrol Engines per se, they have their Place where light weight and peak power are important, but I don't get the Point of having them in a Daily Driven Car.
      I have an old BMW Motorcycle and a Piaggo Ape 50, and I kinda take care of an old Motorplane (A Job-15, Vids on my Channel), but in a Car, why?
      Weight doesn't really matter, and peak acceleration in Top RPMs is rarely necessary or useful, but saving fuel and money is.
      I just wonder why nobody cares about Petrol Cars turning off their waste gas purification whenever Temperatures are slightly too high, too low or in most City Traffic, but in a Diesel it's the End of the World.
      Emissions Regulations are big Scam, and I hate suffering from it.
      Also: That Sweet Turbo Whistle from the Opel 1.3 Diesel is Orgasmic. If it just wasn't so Short Lived.
      Next on my Wishlist is the Fiat 127 Fiorino though. It's seriously underappreciated.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  6 лет назад +1

      My daily is currently a V8 petrol. Or a twin-cylinder petrol if I can't stomach the fuel bills. To be honest, electric is what appeals most for the basic need of 'need a car to move me.' Neither petrol nor diesel can match the super-smooth power delivery.

    • @MyFabian94
      @MyFabian94 6 лет назад +1

      Well, I don't really see the Battery Electric Car as having a Future. Neither the Hydrogen Cell Cars.
      The Future of Battery Technology as of now is: "And then a Miracle Happens" and we get something Practical.
      And then we simply ignore probably the most Practical Solution is in the Methane-Oxygen Fuel Cell if anything, with Methane produced with Surplus Renewable Energy, synthesized from Hydrogen Gas.
      It's reasonably safe, efficient and practical. I drove a Tesla once, and while it was cool, it was his second one, as his first one burt down on a Battery Defect as a consequence of a faulty Regulator that allowed the Charge to drop below Critical.
      So, I foresee a Future in which abandoned Electic Cars just randomly catch fire.
      Lithium Batteries are fucking dangerous.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  6 лет назад +2

      +MyFabian94 To be fair, petrol isn't without its dangers. Vauxhall had to do a recall on the Zafira because a wiring fault made them catch fire. Cars have been catching fire for a long time. I don't believe EVs are worse in that regard.

  • @spencermcdonald3885
    @spencermcdonald3885 8 лет назад

    Wernt you supposed to do a ford by now?

  • @andrewleon2406
    @andrewleon2406 4 года назад

    how many mpg do you get

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  4 года назад

      About 30.

  • @leslie7872
    @leslie7872 5 лет назад

    If this a diesel?

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  5 лет назад

      No. They didn't do a diesel first-gen. Not in the UK anyway.

    • @leslie7872
      @leslie7872 5 лет назад

      @@HubNut and is there a sun roof on both the front and back. cant tell? hows the driving visibly. the cars really tall and boxy so it should be good right?

  • @mirkop312
    @mirkop312 8 лет назад

    I remember those first RAV4s have horrible brakes.

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  8 лет назад

      Ah, that's reassuring in a way. Perhaps they aren't broken and just are that rubbish then.

  • @commanderstud2417
    @commanderstud2417 5 лет назад

    I use to have a 96 rav4 and sold it.... I have regrets doing that..

  • @WhateverItTakesLIVE
    @WhateverItTakesLIVE 4 года назад

    i bet he was wishing he still had his Citroen XM

  • @abiliodacosta1028
    @abiliodacosta1028 5 лет назад

    sir can you help me

  • @20alphabet
    @20alphabet 5 лет назад

    Yes, it's as crap as I thought.

  • @tankingbeast1132
    @tankingbeast1132 6 лет назад

    I have a 1999 5door RAV 4

  • @Mark1405Leeds
    @Mark1405Leeds 6 лет назад

    Good and long lasting - hideous styling!

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  6 лет назад +3

      Hideous? How can you say that? Look at its cute face!

    • @Mark1405Leeds
      @Mark1405Leeds 6 лет назад

      Not sure why I hate the styling - my 4x4 of choice would always be a Lada Niva. [I also love some Jeeps 2nd generation Cherokee - I believe they last forever!]

  • @rockymountainoutdoorsman
    @rockymountainoutdoorsman 2 года назад

    Your on the wrong side of the car

    • @johntate5050
      @johntate5050 Год назад

      It's a Japanese car. The Japanese drive on the left and sit on the right so he's actually on the correct side.

  • @indianatone218
    @indianatone218 5 лет назад

    Hi Ian you mentioned putting new tyres on the rav how much did they cost and where did you get them 'thanks ,ant from abba .

    • @HubNut
      @HubNut  5 лет назад

      They were Michelin Latitude Cross tyres, and I can't remember the cost.