Cool concepts: 1989 Toyota RAV FOUR
First unveiled in 1989, the Toyota RAV FOUR would go on to dominate sales decades after its initial launch. We detail the original concept. Image: Toyota To many, the Toyota RAV4 is considered the car that essentially kicked off the trendy crossover/SUV craze when it first hit the global market back in 1994, but its progenitor can be traced back to a concept unveiled at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. Back then, SUVs weren’t the versatile creatures that they are today. Size-wise, they tended to be considerably larger than the hatchbacks, sedans and station wagons that were the daily drivers of choice at that time. They also tended to favour utility and off-road capability over any semblance of town-friendliness or comfort – utilising ladder-frame chassis and live-axle suspension setups that, while durable, served up a decidedly uncomfortable ride and handling that could only be described as clumsy. Furthermore, in markets such as Japan, these vehicles often attracted addition...