--- title: "This Mazda Two-Rotor-Swapped Toyota RAV4 Is Pure Comedy" date: "2025-03-14" modified: "2025-03-14" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-mazda-two-rotor-swapped-toyota-rav4-is-pure-comedy" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" tags: - "crossover" - "RAV4" - "Toyota" --- # This Mazda Two-Rotor-Swapped Toyota RAV4 Is Pure Comedy ![]() *lowstandardsjay. TikTok* Everything about this build is pure comedy, and you'll soon see why. Things start funny, with the builder employing a three-door, second-generation [Toyota]() RAV4 as its blank canvas. Not only does that car have funny-looking proportions, but it's most often used as an economical runabout, not as the basis for a performance build. But the laughs start when you pop the hood because instead of a typically boring Toyota four-pot, this [RAV4]() has a two-rotor Mazda rotary engine. It's unclear who exactly the builder is, though the unique creation was posted to TikTok by ["lowstandardsjay"]() who appears to swap rotary engines into lots of oddball cars. Why is the two-motor engine funny? Incongruity, for starters. Rotary engines are typically favored in lightweight sports cars due to their high-revving nature, compact size, and linear powerband. They can also make gobs of power with big turbos. And since they're so small, they can sit far back behind the front wheels, improving weight distribution, balance, handling capability, and steering. So, seeing one in a RAV4 makes me laugh. It's like seeing me in running sneakers. Who are we foolin'? But also, look at it. The builder doesn't say what kind of two-rotor engine it is, but it's *tiny*. Comically so. With it mounted longitudinally, it's so small that two adults can stand on the ground, inside the engine bay, on either side of the engine. The alternator looks like it's mounted directly to a transmission. If they need to work on it, they can probably just undo a few bolts, throw the engine on their shoulder, and carry it to the workbench. I'm a little jealous, actually. > [@lowstandardsjay]() Rotary everything…[#Lowstandards]() [#Toyota]() [#Rav4]() [#Rwd]() [#Rotary]() [#13B]() [#Bridge]() [♬ Mechanic - Gmac cash]() You've got to hear it, though. Like all rotary engines, this little fella makes a slow, steady burping noise, but this one is pretty unrefined, so it just sounds like the RAV4 has gas. This noise won't bat an eyelash among rotary engine fans, who are used to such staccato flatulence. But for everyone else, it's objectively hilarious. Since the engine is mounted longitudinally, it powers only the rear wheels, which is a role reversal for the typically front-wheel drive RAV4. Between the shoebox engine and its rear wheels is a manual transmission. This is like the Mazda RX-7 hot hatch we never knew we needed. I love builds like this because they're funny on multiple levels, and I bet it's fun to drive. Rotary engines were never the most reliable; they consume lots of oil and they need to be revved like crazy to make big power unless heavily turbocharged. However, in project cars that you don't need to rely on, they can turn a typically boring car like the RAV4 into something much cooler. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()