Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is a compact SUV (sport utility vehicle). It provides good handling, decent performance, and a high-quality finish with some nice convenience features for a good price. Because it's fairly small, it's easy to maneuver and park. It still has very adequate trunk space and good leg room in the back.

RAV4 stands for Recreational Activity Vehicle, Four-Wheel Drive. Clearly this name is meant to set it apart from Sport Utility Vehicles. The RAV4 started a trend of small crossover SUVs, followed by cars like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

In 2002, Toyota offered the RAV4 EV, which was powered completely by an electric battery. They were released in very limited amounts, mostly in California. Though owners could save a lot of money on gas, the RAV4 EV was expensive to purchase, and a new battery cost more than $20,000. The RAV4 EV has been discontinued, and there are no plans for a new version.

For the 2006 model year, Toyota enlarged the RAV4, so that it's now longer and has even more storage capacity, along with other upgraded features. It is now available with a V6 engine.