2wd - ONLY the 2 front wheels are driven in the RAV4 model
4wd - ALL 4 wheels are driven - the 4wd system in the RAV4 is a constant ALL WHEEL DRIVE system (This is the case with the 4.1 generation - not sure on 4.2) in that the transmission is constantly transmitting drive to all wheels - good in slippery conditions...
There have been posts in the past about this topic and in the FAQ section too.... Do a search if this hasnt cleared it up for you.
You are not making a fair comparison. RAV4s are available with and without automatic transmission which I assume is wht you mean by D4. Typically automatics may be a little slower and less economical in magazine tests but in reality I doubt it would be noticed. Driving style will have a bigger influence, so get the transmission choice you prefer.
Various engines and identifiers were used in different markets, the RAV4L is a US version with more goodies than a basic version. RAV4J refers to the Japanese version (I think). On the 4.2 in the U.S. the early ones had a 2.0 litre engine and later ones a 2.4 litre engine. In the U.K. you could get basic models with a 1.8VVTI engine, but they were not popular, most people preferring the 2.0 or D4-D (diesel).
Now a comparison between 2.0 litre and D4-D engines would be more interesting.
Going back to 2WD vs 4WD, I think most markets other than North America and Canada only got 4WD versions. Both 4.1 and 4.2 have constant 4 wheel drive, the main difference being they had different centre differentials. This same Toyota drivetrain has been used in the new Daihatsu Terios, whereas the 4.3 RAV4 got a new drivetrain.
Can you explain your question a bit better please?
To clear things up, the RAV4J & RAV4L are basically the same cars! But both cars are sold through different dealer networks in Japan (Other examples include the Alphard G/ Alphard V, the previous Estima T/ Estima L & the KlugerV/ KlugerL.).
Here are the models available (As far as I can remember.) for the 2nd generation Japanese-spec RAV4J/ RAV4L 3-door & 5-door.
----------------------------------------------------------------- Pre facelift (2000 - 2003)
2.0 D-4 VVT-i (1AZ-FSE)
2.0 AERO SPORT 4WD A/T
2.0 AERO SPORT 4WD M/T
2.0 WIDE SPORT 4WD A/T
2.0 WIDE SPORT 4WD M/T
2.0 X "G Edition" 4WD A/T
2.0 X "G Edition" 4WD M/T
1.8 VVT-i (1ZZ-FE)
1.8 AERO SPORT 2WD A/T
1.8 AERO SPORT 2WD M/T
1.8 X "G Edition" 2WD A/T
1.8 X "G Edition" 2WD M/T
1.8 X 2WD A/T
1.8 X 2WD M/T
Special Editions:
X "Rugged Special" (2001 - unknown)
X "Limited"(2002 -2003)
Facelift (2003 - 2005)
2.0 D-4 VVT-i (1AZ-FSE)
2.0 WIDE SPORT 4WD A/T
2.0 WIDE SPORT 4WD M/T
2.0 X "G Edition" 4WD A/T
2.0 X "G Edition" 4WD M/T
2.0 X 4WD A/T
2.0 X 4WD M/T
1.8 VVT-i (1ZZ-FE)
1.8 X "G Edition" 2WD A/T
1.8 X "G Edition" 2WD M/T
1.8 X 2WD A/T
1.8 X 2WD M/T
Special Edition:
X "Limited"(2004 -2005)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
For those who are wondering what D-4 is;
No, it isn't a very fancy A/T. Instead, it's Toyota's Direct Injection-4 Stroke technology, available on the 2nd gen RAV4J/ RAV4L in the form of the 2.0 1AZ-FSE. The advantage the 1AZ-FSE has over the garden-variety export-spec 1AZ-FE is better fuel efficiency & slightly more horsepower.
The larger 2.4 2AZ-FE engine was never used on the Japanese & Euro-spec facelift models.
aziym, you'll also want to be careful when looking for a genuine Japanese-spec RAV4J/ RAV4L, some of the units are the Aussie or Euro-spec models that are converted to resemble Japanese-spec cars on the outside.
btw, it's nice to see another potential RAV4 owner from Malaysia on the forums!
Thank you for the information on J or L version of RAV4.2. I have check the engine registration which is 1AZ - is it D4 engine or VVTI engine or D4 with VVTI engine? I am confusing when the dealer said that people looking for D4 rather than VVTI. I am not sure what it means. What I know is all toyota now using fuel injection engine which is VVTI like my Toyota VIOS.
I will post back to this forum after getting my RAV4 next 2 weeks.
Thank you for the information on J or L version of RAV4.2. I have check the engine registration which is 1AZ - is it D4 engine or VVTI engine or D4 with VVTI engine? I am confusing when the dealer said that people looking for D4 rather than VVTI. I am not sure what it means. What I know is all toyota now using fuel injection engine which is VVTI like my Toyota VIOS.
I will post back to this forum after getting my RAV4 next 2 weeks.
Yeah, some dealers don't know enough about the cars they sell. Like when my parents wanted to buy an Estima for example, the sales person claimed that the car does have D-4 when it clearly doesn't (2AZ-FSE wasn't available yet at the time. Was only used on the current Avensis Sedan/ Wagon Qi & Li in Japan.).
As long as it is 1AZ-FSE, it comes with both D-4 & VVT-i. (The normal FE only has VVT-i.).
Just post some info on VVT-I D4 from toyota website-aziym
VVT-I D4
"Direct Injection" engine technology
Perfect distribution of fuel around each cylinder. You will probably remember playing with the hosepipe in the garden: Squashing the pipe flat causes the water to fan out at high pressure. Toyota's new VVT-i D motor uses the same idea to atomise and distribute fuel around each cylinder.
Advantages: Increased fuel spray atomisation for more uniform combustion Compression ratio is increased to 11.0 (compared to 9.8 for the VVT-i engine). Petrol no longer sticks to the injection port during cold fuel injection, which results in less hydrocarbons, meaning a cleaner and more efficient engine. The VVT-i D4 engine is 8% more efficient than Toyota's award-winning, and very economical VVT-i engine. But most importantly, D4 makes a difference you can really see and feel!
From information gathered from a Wish Club Malaysia member, it is advisable to use premium fuel (At least RON97) in with the JDM-spec D-4 engine, it is to prevent the 1AZ-FSE from knocking if RON92 is used for too long. Might want to check on this just in case.
just for info....EU rav4 4.2 models can be 2wd or 4wd.
i have one of the 4wd models and can confirm they are AWD permanantly.
D4D engine 1cd-ftv gives around 33mpg avg.
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