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Toyota RAV4 · 1st gen (1996–2000)

1996 Toyota RAV4

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

  • On sale in the US. Edmunds calls it the first sport utility with front-wheel drive.1,2

What it came with

  • 2.0L four-cylinder1

    120 hp in 1996, by Edmunds

Transmissions
5-speed manual1,3, 4-speed automatic3
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive1, All-wheel drive1
Trims
Base3, L Special Edition3,4

Colors

  • Mystic Teal Mica 4
  • Radiant Red 4
  • Natural White 4
  • Quicksilver 4
  • Deep Jewel Green Pearl 4
  • Royal Sapphire Pearl 4
  • Black 4

Interiors

  • Gray 4

Compare with another year

Buy

Recalls

No recalls are listed for this year.

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

  • Sought after: The Soft Top All years

    Jalopnik calls the Soft Top the best RAV4 ever made, and The Autopian says Toyota fans regard it as rare.5,6

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.

Sources

  1. Edmunds 1996 review
  2. Toyota Newsroom (1st gen gallery)
  3. Edmunds 1998 review
  4. Edmunds 1999 specs
  5. Jalopnik (Soft Top)
  6. The Autopian (Soft Top)