Iconic car celebrates its 30th anniversary
The first generation of the Toyota RAV4, which was launched in 1994.
Toyota, Ireland’s best-selling car brand, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic Toyota RAV4.
With over 31,260 RAV4s sold in Ireland to date and 14 million sold globally at the end of 2023, the contemporary SUV has transformed the automotive landscape with its bold, eye-catching appearance and versatile driving experience.
The RAV4 revolutionised the SUV in 1994 by offering off-road capabilities combined with performance and road comfort, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental performance. Now in its fifth generation, the RAV4 is still a firm favourite of Irish motorists. It was one of the four Toyota models to feature in Ireland’s top ten best-selling passenger cars in Q1 2024.
The popularity of the ever-evolving RAV4 can be attributed to Toyota’s unwavering commitment to innovation and vision to innovation and meeting its customers’ changing needs.
The evolution of the RAV4 over the last 30 years has encompassed more than a transformation on the exterior. In 1997, a RAV4 model with a class-leading electric battery powertrain was introduced in certain markets in line with Toyota’s mission to reduce harmful emissions. Since then, the RAV4 has seen the introduction of Toyota’s hybrid-electric technology in its third generation.
Irish drivers were also enamoured with the introduction of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid in 2020 - a combination of a top-class model with the opportunity to drive more sustainably.
The latest plug-in models are class leading with a driving range of up to 75km (combined), or up to 98km (city). The evolution of the RAV4 demonstrates Toyota’s multipath approach to carbon neutrality and commitment to offering a range of powertrains to suit customers' needs and lifestyles.
The RAV4 was the best-selling SUV globally in 2018, and 2019, with more than 2.5 million sold in Europe since its introduction.
