1997 Toyota RAV4 AWD for sale in CA

Here’s a thoroughly detailed look at a classic, practical crossover that continues to earn fans for its reliability, versatility, and straightforward usefulness: a 1997 Toyota RAV4 finished in Dark Green Metallic with a comfortable gray cloth interior. This particular example is in excellent overall condition, has a clean CARFAX, and shows great ownership history with under 198,000 miles — averaging less than 7,000 miles per year — making it an appealing choice for someone who wants a dependable, economical, and well-preserved compact SUV.

Powertrain and driving character
Under the hood is the clean and proven 2.0L naturally aspirated inline-four with a double overhead cam (DOHC) and 16 valves. This motor is known for its balance of smooth power delivery, long-term durability, and straightforward maintenance. Whether paired with the manual or automatic transmission offered from the factory, the engine provides responsive everyday performance for city driving, highway cruising, and light loads. Real-world fuel economy for this vehicle is very reasonable: about 19 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway, making it economical for daily commuting and weekend trips alike.

Exterior highlights (Dark Green Metallic)
The Dark Green Metallic paintwork gives this RAV4 a timeless and understated look — dark enough to stay practical, with a metallic finish that catches the light attractively. Classic RAV4 styling cues are present and tidy: compact, upright profile for good visibility; a rear-mounted spare tire on the tailgate which adds practical convenience; functional roof rails that make adding crossbars and carriers simple; and body-colored trim accents that present a unified, well-kept appearance. Bumpers, exterior mirrors, and moldings are in line with the era’s rugged-yet-urban design, and the overall finish shows care consistent with the low average mileage.

Interior and cargo versatility (gray cloth)
Inside, the gray cloth upholstery offers a comfortable and inviting cabin environment. Seating is supportive for daily drives — with contours designed to reduce fatigue on longer trips — and cloth surfaces stay comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. The rear seats fold flat (and in many configurations can be folded or tumbled to maximize cargo space), making the RAV4 especially useful for hauling gear, groceries, or projects. The simple, ergonomic dashboard layout puts essential controls within easy reach, and there’s an intelligently designed cargo area behind the rear seats that expands nicely when the seats are folded.

Factory-default equipment and creature comforts
1997 RAV4s were built to be practical and well-equipped for their class. Typical factory-default features and amenities include:
- Dual front airbags for driver and front passenger.
- Comfortable cloth seating surfaces (as in this example).
- Air conditioning and heater with straightforward controls for dependable climate comfort.
- AM/FM audio system, commonly with cassette and/or CD options depending on trim; ergonomically placed audio controls.
- Power steering for easy low-speed maneuvering and composed highway behavior.
- Power-assisted brakes and solid stopping performance; ABS was available on some trims.
- Convenient tilt steering wheel to help find a comfortable driving position.
- Split-folding rear seat for flexible passenger and cargo arrangements; rear seats fold to create a flat load floor.
- Rear hatch with externally mounted spare tire for easy access; hatch-mounted wiper/washer and defogger for visibility.
- Roof rails for additional cargo-carrying capability (ideal for bikes, cargo boxes, or kayak mounts).
- Durable interior materials and simple, serviceable systems that make upkeep straightforward and cost-effective.

Safety and ownership peace of mind
This RAV4’s clean CARFAX report adds a layer of confidence — reflecting no reported accident damage and, combined with the modest average yearly mileage, sugges