- suv 232,421
- 3,495 fair
- Orange, CA
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- autoshopper.com
- suv 232,421 gasoline green manual
1998 toyota rav4 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. A small, spunky, head-turner... introductionwhile it's no longer the new kid on the block, toyota's rav4 is upgraded for 1998 and is still a head-turner. More than 100,000 rav4s have been sold in the u. Since its introduction in 1996. With toyota's reputation for quality, durability and reliability, it's no surprise that sales of this cute mini-utility continue to grow despite new and upgraded entries in its class. although it has already made big waves in the small sport-utility segment, toyota has gussied up the rav4 for the new year. New are exterior design changes, performance upgrades, safety enhancements and a revised interior. Removable sunroof panels give it a beachy look. The locking differential gives the rav4 traction advantages over the all-wheel-drive honda cr-v and subaru forester. The rav4 has been compared to the jeep wrangler, though it cannot compete with the wrangler in really rough going. there doesn't seem to be a consensus on the rav4's unique styling, considered everything from cute to ugly duckling to extra-terrestrial. Its wide body has tucked-in sheetmetal at the windows, a sloping hood with large air intakes, kicked-up rear quarter panels sculpted around big 16-inch tires. The rear is dominated by a side-opening door, which swings from the left. all models receive notable changes for '98 with a more aggressively styled grille and front fascia and bolder wheel treatments. Headlamps and taillamps are redesigned for added prominence. Two-door versions now come with a swing-open window on the rear driver's side. All versions offer privacy glass. With the split-folding rear seat folded flush, it can handle 57. 9 cubic feet of goods. Horsepower and torque have been increased for '98, while engine noise has been reduced - weak points on the '97 model. six styling packages are available that include a mix of interior and exterior components for customizing. For instance, the all weather guard equipment package adds a heavy-duty battery, a big 4. 5-liter windshield washer tank, a heavy duty front heater and a rear-seat heater duct for a mere $70. Its cockpit is more like a sporty sedan, with a new three-spoke steering wheel. Unibody construction lowers the step-in height, making it easier to get in and out, yet it carries a higher ride height than a sedan for traversing obstacles. the sloping hood and generous greenhouse front and rear make visibility excellent. Standard are dual outside mirrors, intermittent front and rear wipers and a rear window defogger. Front door pockets provide storage, while dual cupholders are integrated into the lower instrument panel. It has proven itself to be a standard-bearer for this new breed of mini-utilities. A well-designed independent suspension and rack-and-pinion power-assisted steering make it nimble on and off the road. standard brakes are power-assisted front disc and rear drum; abs is available as a $590 option. We were impressed with the all-wheel-drive traction, very useful in snow and slush. Automatic transmission models have a center differential that automatically locks up when excessive slip is sensed between the front and rear axles. On manual transmission models, the driver utilizes a switch to manually lock or unlock the center differential. A limited-slip rear differential is optional and recommended for improved traction off road. the fun-to-drive quotient remains high on this unique mini-utility. Its unibody construction gives it a handling advantage over truck-based sport-utilities with body-on-frame construction. The engine feels peppy and can cruise at 80, but it runs out of power in the higher rpm range. It's tougher than a car, softer than a truck and as big as a small wagon. The already pricey tag on the rav4 has climbed higher this year. Power Windows✔ AM/FM✔ Cruise Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
3,495 Orange, CAOrange, CA at autoshopper.com