The styling suggests a vector or wedge shape, which is pretty hard to do with what is basically a tall, small box. This is mostly accomplished by a sloping hood and downward cant from the rear quarter panels forward, under the side windows. When the arched roofline ends with the optional spoiler, the result is cool looking.
The cladding and body molding are smooth, the fender flares around 16-inch wheels are beefy for a mini SUV, and sculpted scoops in the sides and hood try to be eye-catching. Combination tail lights wrap nicely around the sides. At the nose, the headlights are shaped like wasp eyes, angling upward. Optional fog lights are built into the air dam, which contains a gaping grille with a few teeth. The gray body cladding looks good with some colors, but contrasts poorly with others.
The optional alloy wheels are a simple five-spoke star pattern, and the optional cover over the spare, hanging on the rear gate, serves its purpose in making the RAV4 look less rough, but therefore less rugged. The rear hatch is hinged on the right side. That means the door swings open toward the curb, inconvenient at airports because you have to walk around the door.
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