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I looked it up on the 'net and found several places where it said it stood for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD". However if I recall a friend I used to work with at a Toyota dealership was at the dealer introduction and I recall it stood for something else.

The "4" did stand for 4wd, but the first part was different. In 1994 when it was introduced I recall it was based on a Celica chassis and had the same 1.8 4cyl that was standard on the Celica.

If I also recall right it was made like the Toyota Starlet which Toyota made by picking parts from it's records that were the most reliable. If the car takes off it becomes it's own model and future renditions are designed uniquely.

Toyota has done this several times in it's history. The Cressida was made using the 6cyl Land Cruiser engine in a 4 door sedan.

I think I remember the Corona was made around the same 4 cyl engine as in the HI-Lux pickup. Toyota started as a small truck company and their history is building on their past successes.

Anyway, if I can get a hold of my friend who originally told me about the RAV4 I will find out the original meaning of RAV4 and reach you.