Toyota’s compact SUV introduced in 1994 was the RAV4. The first-generation model debuted in Japan and Europe in 1994, then reached North America for the 1996 model year after its 1995 introduction there.
The RAV4 was unusual when it arrived because it combined SUV-style visibility and available four-wheel drive with a car-like unibody structure and relatively compact dimensions. Its name originally described a “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive.” Toyota initially offered a short three-door version, followed by a longer five-door model in 1995 to improve passenger and cargo space.
The RAV4 is often described as the first modern compact crossover SUV, although earlier vehicles such as the Suzuki Vitara helped establish the broader small off-road vehicle category. The Honda CR-V, one of the listed alternatives, arrived later, beginning production in 1995 and becoming a major competitor. The 4Runner is larger and truck-based, while the Highlander belongs to a larger SUV class.