THE RAV4 offers a choice of transmissions, a five-speed manual and four-speed electronically controlled automatic with Toyota's low-friction technology. Both transmissions drive through a full-time 4WD system with a newly adopted viscous-coupled centre differential - for improved traction on and off-road.

Shift feel with the manual has been improved by adopting a mass damper on the shift and select shaft, and a rolling-type lock-ball assembly. The manual has triple-cone synchromesh on the first-second shift for smoother shifting. As for the auto, Toyota claims it has less shift lag than conventional designs.