RAV4 Popularity and Alternative Design
The Toyota RAV4 became the world’s best-selling car in 2024, but not everyone is satisfied with its restrained and neutral design. Some drivers seem to prefer bolder and more unusual solutions.
While Toyota has already moved to the new model generation, the Japanese company Mitsuoka has given 150 units of the previous version of the RAV4 a completely different fate, turning them into tributes to vintage American off-roaders.
Buddy Model History
The modified car, known as the Mitsuoka Buddy, was first introduced in 2020. After selling 1200 units, production was halted in 2024 due to supply chain issues caused by a semiconductor shortage.
Now, having secured a new supply of RAV4s, Mitsuoka has reopened reservations and promises improved equipment and finishing for the limited series.
Updates and Exterior
The car with the friendly name Buddy retains the RAV4’s glazing, roof, and doors, but all other body panels have been redesigned. Its boxy front end with a chrome grille and vertically positioned headlights resembles vintage 70s Chevrolets.
This theme continues at the rear, where custom tailgate, chrome bumper, and Cadillac-inspired taillights complete the transformation.
Color Range and Interior
Buyers can choose from five color options, including Globe One White Pearl II, limited to 30 units, as well as two new shades: Iceman Gray and Beach Greige.
Inside, the familiar RAV4 layout remains unchanged, but new seat upholstery adds some individuality. Standard equipment includes a panoramic sunroof and a digital rearview mirror.
Technical Specifications
All new Buddy units are based on the RAV4 Hybrid X grade. Under the hood is the standard 2.5-liter self-charging hybrid unit, paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission and an E-Four all-wheel-drive system.
Price and Availability
Production is scheduled to resume in May 2026, with deliveries to be completed by the end of the year. Mitsuoka is already accepting reservations in Japan, and demand is expected to quickly outstrip supply. Prices start from ¥7,260,000 (about $47,600), which is significantly higher than the base price of the RAV4 Hybrid X at ¥3,859,900 ($25,300).
If this price makes you hesitate, Mitsuoka’s official statement for the Buddy might convince you with its sentimentality:
“Regardless of generation or gender, we all weave stories, overlaying the wonderful days of laughter and tears that we have all experienced, sometimes with our nostalgic selves, sometimes with our present selves, and sometimes with our future selves. The name ‘Buddy’ is filled with the hope that it will be a companion that gently accompanies each person’s history and stays by their side.”
This project demonstrates how niche manufacturers can find their fans by offering unique interpretations of mass-market models. The demand for the limited series indicates that the market is willing to pay a premium for the exclusivity and emotional attachment that standard cars often cannot offer.