Toyota RAV4 Off-Road Build Conquers Mojave Trail With Ease

A usually serious engine builder and racing team owner had some fun by taking out a Toyota RAV4 off-road in the Mojave Desert. Stephan Papadakis of Papadakis Racing is the builder and driver of the intrepid RAV4, and for something that’s not meant to do hardcore off-roading, the tiny SUV actually did pretty well.

Papadakis is known for awesome 1,000-hp Formula Drift Cars, but the off-road RAV4 build was a project that’s all about fun.

Completed last year, this is the first time we’ve seen the thing take on Mojave. Specifically, Stephan, together with YouTuber and professional photographer Larry Chen, passed through the 119-mile-long trail dubbed the “Mojave Road,” which crosses the entirety of the Mojave National Preserve.