Connect with us

News

The Soft Top Is The Best Toyota RAV4 Of All Time

Published

on

Image for article titled The Soft Top Is The Best Toyota RAV4 Of All Time

Photo: Toyota

The current Toyota RAV4 is reliable, sells well, and in plug-in hybrid form, has one of the longest electric ranges available on PHEVs in the U.S. But it’s not the best RAV4 ever. No, that honor goes to the two-door soft-top version that Toyota sold back in 1998. I do not care if you disagree, because you are wrong.

Maybe it wasn’t the most practical. Or the most powerful. Or the most fuel efficient. But who cares? That little ol’ RAV4 had spunk! It had charm! It was fun! It might not have been a corner-carver, but you know what else isn’t a corner-carver? The current RAV4.

Here, let’s have MotorWeek hose and automotive journalism icon John Davis tell us a little bit more about the 1998 Toyota RAV4 Soft-Top:

1998 Toyota RAV4 Soft Top | Retro Review

Right out of the gate, Davis calls the first-generation RAV4 “cute” and “just plain fun to drive.” To quote him again, “Now, what could Toyota do to make the already fun RAV4 even more so?” Obviously, give the two-door version a soft-top. Which Toyota did.

As Davis points out, it’s a method that works with sports cars, so obviously, Toyota knew it would make the lil RAV4 even better. And in true sports car form, Toyota skipped a power-operated soft-top in favor of a manual one. For lightness, obviously.

It might not have offered “the wind-in-the-hair feel of a true convertible,” but who cares? It’s not like the current RAV4 offers that either. And the best part? Upgrading to the obviously superior RAV4 Soft-Top was free! That’s right, the $16,798 all-wheel-drive model MotorWeek tested cost exactly the same as the hardtop version.

So there you go. Case closed. The first-generation Toyota RAV4 Soft-Top is canonically the best Toyota RAV4 of all time. At least here on Jalopnik, that is.

Continue Reading

Recent News

Amazon Seller Account Amazon Seller Account
Business3 days ago

Transforming Dreams into Reality: A Success Story of Purchase Amazon Seller Account

Purchase Amazon Seller Account: In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of starting their own business. However,...

Shearling Leather Jackets Shearling Leather Jackets
Fashion6 days ago

Shearling Leather Jackets That Are Worth Every Penny This Winter

When winter’s chillstarts to bite, we all crave something warm, timeless, and effortlessly stylish. Enter the shearling leather jacket—a piece...

Global Enterprises Global Enterprises
Tech7 days ago

How Cloud Encryption Safeguards Data for Global Enterprises

As global enterprises continue their digital transformation journeys, data security has become a top priority. Cloud computing offers unmatched flexibility...

Character AI Character AI
Tech1 week ago

The Future of Character AI: Trends and Predictions for the Next Decade

If we focus on the evolution of artificial intelligence, technology has left us speechless. Now, if we pay attention to...

Moscow Moscow
Fashion2 weeks ago

The Moscow Catwalk is Becoming Increasingly Diverse

By Jackie H. Grey Moscow Fashion Week has shown that diversity enriches the phenomenon of modern clothing. Designers from around...

Carbon Emissions Carbon Emissions
Fashion2 weeks ago

The Unseen Expenses of Fashion Industry; The Impact of Carbon Emissions, in Womens High End Apparel

Fashion is commonly seen as a way to express oneself; however it carries a cost that often goes unnoticed by...

Neon Artwork Neon Artwork
Lifestyle2 weeks ago

Neon Artwork for Parties: Transform Your Events with Stunning Neon Designs

Neon artwork has revolutionized the way we think about event decor. Once confined to storefronts and bars, neon lights have...

Personal Injury Lawyer Personal Injury Lawyer
Law2 weeks ago

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte Help You Win Your Case?

Life after an accident can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a car crash or another type of personal injury incident, you’re...

Njord Partners Njord Partners
Business1 month ago

Espionage, Corruption, and Sanctions: The Dark Underbelly of Njord Partners

Njord Partners, a prominent asset management firm operating across Europe and the UK, has come under renewed scrutiny. The firm,...

Reverse Email Append Service Reverse Email Append Service
Business1 month ago

How to Choose the Best Reverse Email Append Service for Accurate Results

Choosing the right reverse email append service can feel overwhelming, especially when accuracy is a top priority. Whether you’re a...