cars news 10: Five Reasons Why Toyota Needs a RAV4 TRD

Being the social media editor of Motor Trend has its perks, but when an email titled “Toyota RAV4 Media Invite” hit my inbox, I initially shunned it off. I’m a 26-year-old car guy, and RAV4 just isn’t a name that excites me. However, rally is a word that excites me, so I’m glad I eventually opened it.

Three phrases caught my eye: Ryan Millen, race-prepped rally RAV4, and lightly modified rally RAV4, the latter being the most interesting. Was this Toyota’s way to test the waters on a possible RAV4 TRD? Could the RAV4 finally be cool? One week later I had time with all three, an answer to those questions, and a smile so big my cheeks hurt. Below are five reasons why I think Toyota needs a RAV4 TRD (and no, Toyota didn’t officially launch the RAV4 TRD, although this event sure leads me to believe they might).

So I don’t crack a bumper pulling into Starbucks

The lightly modified RAV4 included fully functional custom TRD skidplates to help protect the exhaust from any unwanted bashing. (I learned of the functionality as I slid sideways through a deep dirt rut.) This would come in handy getting to my favorite off-road glamping spot or mountain bike trails, and driveways can get mighty steep here in Los Angeles. Even better: No more worrying about cracked bumpers while I pull into my favorite coffee shop a little faster than I should. #Score

Because rolling on dubs was so 2008

The RAV4 comes stock with great-looking 18-inch wheels, but our lightly modified RAV4s came with 16-inch Sparco wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires. They looked great and easily unloaded the mud when we needed a little extra traction off-road. How am I supposed to live up to the #Adventure I use all the time if my wheels don’t at least look like they could handle some off-road action? #AllAboutTheLikes

Being adventurous is cool … on the weekends

I’ll be real with you. If I had a RAV4 TRD, 90 percent of its driving would be on-road. I’d take comfort in the leather seats and enjoy a band you’ve probably never heard of from the Premium JBL Audio system, all while getting an estimated 34 mpg city in the Hybrid model. But on those few lucky weekends, I’d be able to live up to my Tinder profile bio and be adventurous! Our lightly modified RAV4s had stock suspensions, engines, and automatic transmissions and handled the rally course with ease. We simply put them in Sport mode and hit the gas. Yes, I think a RAV4 TRD could tackle any spot I found for the perfect Instagram photo. After all, I can’t wander off-road too far. I NEED cell phone service. #DoItForTheGram

Music festivals are more fun with friends

The RAV4 interior is roomy, both in the front and the back, and the icing on the cake is reclining the rear seats so your friends can get extra comfy after a long weekend at our favorite festival. The RAV4 TRD would not only get you to and from as comfy as possible but also have the light off-road capability to get us the camp spot with the best view. #ChasingSunset

Toyotas have good resale value

Being a millennial is tough sometimes—OK, all the time—and for many of us, sticking to one thing for too long is hard. Luckily, in a couple years when I want the next “cool thing,” Toyotas have great resale value. Although I might not be spending wisely now—nitro cold brew coffee every weekend doesn’t come cheap—it’s nice knowing the RAV4 will still have some value to it in the future. #PennyPinching

You’re probably wondering if my thoughts above are real, and I’ll proudly answer “Yes!” Going into the #RallyRAV4 event, I had my reservations, and to be honest, the base RAV4 still doesn’t float my boat. We’ll be doing a first drive with the RAV4 shortly, so you’ll hear all about the stock variant then. But for this event I was able to bash, slide, and cover a lightly modified RAV4 in mud—a RAV4 that probably wouldn’t look too different than a RAV4 TRD, the exact type of RAV4 I’d be interested in. So I asked, “Would a RAV4 TRD handle the light off-roading most would do? Could it also get people comfortably around the city with decent gas mileage and put a smile on their face off-road?” And for those I’d answer yes.

Would you drive a RAV4 TRD?