Why The Original 2-Door Toyota RAV4 Is So Cute

The Toyota RAV4 has been a staple of the compact crossover SUV market for almost three decades now. It has been the go-to choice for families across America whenever they were looking for a people carrier that is reliable and dependable. This crossover is so popular that in 2019 it became the best-selling SUV in the world, and that's not only in the crossover segment but for all sport utility vehicles. Additionally, as of February 2020, this humble little Toyota sold 10 million units around the world. Needless to say, everywhere you look, you are more than likely to spot a RAV4 rolling down the streets or sitting in a driveway.

Currently hitting the roads in its fifth iteration, the RAV4 is now offered in many flavors, from the regular gas-powered version we all know and love to the hybrid model and recently the PHEV version called the PRIME. The price range also varies widely depending on which model you want.

But before this rather obvious model range got offered, the Toyota RAV4 had some rather interesting options available, including a funky little 2-door model. Keep reading to find out why the adorable little 2-door RAV4 is just so cute.

The Very First Toyota RAV4

The first generation of the Toyota RAV4 got introduced to the Japanese market in 1994 and then in the American market the following year. Although crossovers and SUVs hold a major market share in the present, at the time the appearance of the RAV4 was rather shocking. The first generation of the RAV4, also known as the "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", is widely known as the very first modern crossover. It combined the benefits of the compact car in the body of the SUV.

Looking at the popularity of the crossover in the past few years, it is clear that Toyota had struck gold with the introduction of the crossover. According to Toyota, it has sold 53,000 vehicles in the first year and triples that number by the third year. The last year of the first-gen ended in 2000, as a testament to the world-famous Toyota reliability, a few examples can still be found on the streets today at quite a bargain too.

The first generation of the RAV4 was a trailblazer in more ways than one, aside from being the first modern crossover, Toyota one upped it and also created an EV version. Between 1997 and 2003, the Japanese automaker offered an EV version of the RAV4, making one of the first mass-produced full electric car available for consumers. Even though the technology behind it was rather crude, it still helped pave the way to the electric present.

When 2 Doors is Better than Four

The first generation of the Toyota RAV4 was available to consumers in three different body types. The main option is the most popular one even to this day, the traditional "5-door" model, meaning the classic for doors and a hatch for the trunk. Although this is the most obvious option, we aren't here for this body type today. We are here to focus on the adorable "3-door" option, that's 2 doors with the hatch, which we will be referring it as the 2-door model for simplicity.

Looking at the current crossover market, it is fairly obvious that the winner is the classic SUV with four doors. It isn't shocking that it is the most popular choice, as most consumers are buying a crossover for practical reasons, more doors equals better in that effect. But let us throw logic out of the window and have a look at the impractical 2-door RAV4. The little SUV is 16 inches shorter than its 4-door counterpart and a staggering 33 inches shorter than the ongoing model, adding the small frame to the two-tone look, this charming little SUV will simply melt your heart

The small and quirky crossover is the ideal adventure partner, whether at the beach of off the beaten path, thanks to its available all-wheel-drive system. The tiny RAV4 offers that dream the same way that the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Bronco did but with added every day usability due to its crossover background. Additionally, if the 2-door "hardtop" model isn't adorable enough for you, the RAV4 also came in a 2-door "convertible" variant, making the cute little beach cruiser even cuter. Nothing beats driving down the coastline with the top down.

As crossover SUVs keep getting larger and larger, the tiny little 2-door RAV4 is entering classic and rare find territory. The small adventure-leading SUVs are mostly relics of the past, but the cute 2-door RAV4 will forever live on as an alternative to the bland and boring.