1997 Toyota Rav4
With the appearance of the 1997 Toyota Rav4 a new category has been initiated,
that of the mini-SUV or the cute-ute as some would call it. The 1997 Rav4 appears
in two models, the two-door and the four-door available in both the two-wheel
and the four-wheel drive. This is powered by 2.0-liter twin cam four-cylinder
engine. This car boasts a lockable center differential and an accessible torque-sensing,
limited-slip rear differential. Even though this sport utility lacks a low range
set of gears, its ground clearance of 7.5 inches for the four-door, 7.7 for the
two-door is good enough to make light off-road duty feasible.
The Rav4's unique design is a welcome departure from strangely twin looks from
other SUVs in the market. Toyota stylists came up with a wide body design with
tucked-in sheet metal at the windows, a slanting hood with large air intakes,
kicked-up rear quarter section sculpted around its 16-inch tires and a rear, dominated
by its side-opening door.
Inside this mini-sport utility, Toyota engineers fell back to its time tested
formula of traditional design relying on practicality, safety and durability.
The instruments and gauges are well-located and with-in easy sight, seats are
swathed in luxuriant fabric, and an optional lush carpet envelopes the insides.
Standard features include dual outside mirrors, intermittent front and rear wipers
and a rear window defogger.
There are front door pockets and dual cup holders for easy storage. Safety is
well-ensured with the inclusion of dual airbags, three-point seatbelts and headrests
in all outboard sites, side door collision beams, energy absorbing steering column,
strategically-located chassis impact-absorbing reinforcements and a rear center
high-mount stop light. Variable seat anchors are added to the front seats only
on the four-door model.