The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. This was the first compact crossover SUV; it made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a compact car. Although not all RAV4 models are four-wheel drive, RAV4 originally stood for "Recreational Activity Vehicle: 4-wheel drive", this has been changed to "Robust Accurate Vehicle: 4-wheel drive", because the aforementioned equipment is an option in select countries.
