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Toyota RAV4

Photo: Toyota RAV4 by TTTNIS, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.

Toyota · model year 1997

1997 Toyota RAV4 2WD

Special purpose · Front-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Special Purpose Vehicles

EPA figures · 1997fueleconomy.gov
23MPG combined
21/26MPG city / highway
$2,900fuel a year
386 g CO₂ per mile 2.0 L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd
This car on fueleconomy.gov, read 2 October 2026. Your own figures depend on how and where you drive.

Where it places

The CarCody take

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 2WD is a gasoline special-purpose vehicle with front-wheel drive and a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine. It has a 5-speed manual transmission and is classified by the EPA as a Special Purpose Vehicle. Fuel economy is 21 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway and 23 MPG combined. Its listed EPA annual fuel cost is USD 2,900, and tailpipe emissions are 386.39 g of CO2 per mile. The model belongs to Toyota’s RAV4 family and uses RAV4 as its base model. These figures give buyers a concise view of its fuel use and emissions alongside its drivetrain and powertrain details. The front-wheel-drive layout and gasoline engine distinguish this configuration from variants with other drivetrains or powertrains, though no other RAV4 configurations are described here.

Good to know

  • Front-wheel drive is specified.
  • 5-speed manual transmission.
  • 23 MPG combined.
  • EPA annual fuel cost: USD 2,900.

Watch for

  • City fuel economy is 21 MPG.
  • Tailpipe CO2 is 386.39 g per mile.

Who it suits. It may suit buyers seeking a gasoline RAV4 with front-wheel drive and a manual transmission. Its 23 MPG combined rating and USD 2,900 annual fuel cost are useful for considering running costs.

The 1997 RAV4 2WD pairs a 2.0 L 4-cylinder gasoline engine with front-wheel drive and a 5-speed manual. Its listed combined economy is 23 MPG, with an EPA annual fuel cost of USD 2,900.

Overview

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 2WD is a gasoline-powered, front-wheel-drive special purpose vehicle with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Its EPA ratings are 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. Those figures give buyers a straightforward basis for estimating fuel use across city and highway driving.

The EPA lists annual fuel cost at $2,900 and tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions at 386.39 grams per mile. These figures describe fuel expense and tailpipe emissions; actual costs depend on fuel prices and driving conditions.

Key features

  • Powertrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine.
  • Transmission: Five-speed manual.
  • Drive: Front-wheel drive.
  • EPA class and body: Special Purpose Vehicles; special purpose.
  • Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The city and highway estimates differ by five mpg, with the combined rating between them. That distinction can help when considering a commute or routine that is weighted toward one type of driving, though real-world fuel economy can vary.

Pricing

No purchase price is provided for this model. The listed ownership-cost figure is the EPA annual fuel cost of $2,900. It is an estimate for fuel rather than a quoted vehicle price, and it does not represent total ownership expenses.

Platforms

The listed vehicle configuration is a front-wheel-drive RAV4 with a manual five-speed transmission. Its fuel type is gasoline, and the EPA identifies the engine as a 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Who it's for

This RAV4 configuration may suit a buyer considering an older gasoline vehicle who wants manual shifting and front-wheel drive. Its EPA ratings are useful for comparing expected fuel economy, while the annual fuel-cost estimate offers a reference point for budgeting. Buyers should account for their own annual mileage, local gasoline prices, and driving mix when estimating expenses.

Pros and cons

  • Pros: Published city, highway, and combined MPG figures make fuel economy easy to compare; the EPA annual fuel-cost estimate gives a defined budgeting reference.
  • Cons: The configuration is gasoline-powered, and the available facts do not provide a purchase price or details beyond the listed engine, transmission, and drive type.

Alternatives

For a broader view of Toyota models, browse the Toyota cars list. The linked alternatives below are newer Toyota entries, including battery-electric bZ models and an AWD C-HR; their specifications should be considered separately from this RAV4's gasoline and manual-transmission configuration.

  • 2027 Toyota bZ (energy capacity 191 Ah)
  • 2027 Toyota bZ (energy capacity 200 Ah)
  • 2027 Toyota bZ AWD
  • 2027 Toyota bZ AWD LIMITED
  • 2027 Toyota bZ LIMITED
  • 2027 Toyota bZ Woodland AWD 235/60R18
  • 2027 Toyota bZ Woodland AWD 235/65R18
  • 2027 Toyota C-HR AWD 18inch

Verdict

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 2WD has a clearly defined, simple powertrain: a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder, five-speed manual, and front-wheel drive. Its official fuel-economy figures are 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, alongside an EPA annual fuel-cost estimate of $2,900. Those figures provide a useful starting point for comparison, but the information here does not establish a purchase price or broader ownership costs.

Every figure on record

Efficiency
Combined MPG
23 MPG
City MPG
21 MPG
Highway MPG
26 MPG
Running cost
Annual fuel cost
$2,900
Tailpipe CO₂
386 g per mile
The car
Model year
1997
Body
Special purpose
EPA size class
Special Purpose Vehicles
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Powertrain
Engine
2.0 L 4-cyl
Transmission
Manual 5-spd
Fuel
Gasoline

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