Toyota pioneered the fast-growing segment now known as ""crossover utility vehicles"" (CUVs) with its original car-based RAV4 (""Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4-wheel drive"") in 1996. Critics quickly dubbed it ""cute"" and competitors followed with a variety of CUVs built on car-based unibody platforms instead of rougher and tougher full-frame compact trucks. Toyota wisely gambled that a lot of small utility vehicle buyers,not having heavy duty hauling,towing or off-roading needs,might prefer a somewhat softer,more civilized ride married to the cargo capacity and image of an SUV. A decade and two RAV4 generations later,Toyota grows it to near mid-size proportions and adds a powerful optional V6 and an available third-row seat.