RAV4 XA40

About the RAV4 XA40

Fourth-gen RAV4, and Toyota made it bigger than a Camry. The 2AR-FE 2.5-liter made 176 hp, adequate for a vehicle that now weighed over 1,600 kg. The six-speed automatic replaced the four-speed and improved both performance and efficiency. AWD used an electromagnetic coupling that sent torque rearward when the fronts slipped. The interior was more spacious than the XA30, with a usable cargo area and rear seats that adults could sit in without complaint. The XA40 was the RAV4 that fully transitioned from compact crossover to mid-size family SUV. Toyota loaded it with safety tech including available Toyota Safety Sense. It sold in enormous numbers because it was the right size for most families and the Toyota badge meant the resale value held. Practical to a fault.