Overview & Reviews
Originating in the latter half of the 1990s, the Toyota RAV4 was one of the first entries in the small crossover SUV market. Almost two decades later, today's RAV4 is considerably larger than that pint-sized original, but the core appeal of versatility, good fuel economy and favorable on-road manners are firmly intact.
The RAV4 has been very popular with consumers through the years, so there are going to be plenty to choose from if you're searching for a used model. The newest third- and fourth-generation RAV4s are the most family-friendly and come with the most features, but an older RAV4 should still appeal to young families and urban singles in search of a reliable compact crossover SUV.
Current Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is offered in LE, XLE and Limited trim levels. All have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard and buyers can choose either front- or all-wheel drive. With an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in combined driving, the RAV4 is as fuel-efficient as its competitors.
Base LE standard feature highlights include air-conditioning, reclining second-row seats, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a touchscreen interface and iPod/USB integration. The XLE adds alloy wheels, heated mirrors, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control and sport front seats. The Limited features bigger wheels, a power liftgate, keyless ignition/entry, a power driver seat, heated front seats and faux leather upholstery.
Major options, depending on the trim level, include automatic high beams, blind-spot/lane-departure warning, Toyota's Entune smartphone integration system, a navigation system and premium audio.
In reviews, we've found that this RAV4 gets just about everything right. Its roomy cabin boasts more cargo room than most rivals and provides ample seating space for adults both front and rear. The overall interior design is modern looking, and the Entune system provides useful smartphone app integration, although the touchscreen's virtual buttons can sometimes be finicky to use. There's no engine upgrade available, but the RAV4's 2.5-liter four is refined and adequately powerful. Handling is secure, and the all-wheel-drive system adds further athleticism on curvy and slippery road surfaces. In the interest of comfort, we recommend the smaller wheel options, as the 18-inch wheels tend to have a rougher ride quality.
Used Toyota RAV4 Models
The current, fourth-generation RAV4 debuted for 2013. It maintained the typical RAV4 strengths of carlike driving manners, versatile cargo and passenger configurations and all-around comfort. It's about the same size as the previous generation, but has bolder styling, a more modern interior and some new features. It also has an easier-to-use, top-hinged liftgate instead of the previous swing-out gate, though the previously available third-row seat was discontinued. There have been no notable changes since its debut.
The previous Toyota RAV4 represented the third generation, which Toyota produced from 2006-'12. Compared to earlier models, these RAV4s were bigger and offered an available V6 engine and third-row seat.
In its inaugural third-generation year, two engine choices were offered. A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine delivered 166 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque, while a 3.5-liter V6 produced 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. Automatic transmissions were standard, with the four-cylinder paired with a four-speed, while the V6 received a five-speed unit.
Three trim levels were also offered: base, Sport and Limited. Base feature highlights included air-conditioning, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat and full power accessories. The Sport added 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a roof rack, while the Limited topped it off with 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat and an upgraded audio system. A third-row seat, a moonroof, leather upholstery and a DVD-based rear entertainment system were options on upper level trims.
We praised these models for their pleasant driving manners and convenient cargo space, but deducted points for the side-hinged rear gate and noticeable road noise. We also preferred the powerful V6 over the base four-cylinder engine that suffered with its outdated transmission and mediocre fuel economy.
Changes since its debut were minimal but included additional standard airbags in 2007, a slight styling update in 2009 (with an external spare-tire delete option) and a power increase for the four-cylinder engine (from 166 hp to 179 hp). A newly available touchscreen audio interface and Toyota's Entune smartphone apps were introduced for 2012.
The second-generation Toyota RAV4 (2001-'05) was larger than the original RAV4, with more expressive styling and innovative removable second-row seats that gave it truly impressive cargo-carrying capabilities. Early models had a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that came up short versus the larger four- and six-cylinder engines offered by competitors. Toyota addressed this to some extent in 2004 by replacing the 2.0-liter with a larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 160 hp. Acceleration was markedly improved, and buyers could still choose a manual or automatic transmission. Overall, we found this RAV4 to be a fun-to-drive urban runabout thanks to its precise suspension tuning and high fuel economy ratings.
The first-generation Toyota RAV4 (1996-2000) was offered in two-door and four-door body styles, with a convertible version for a brief period. The first-gen RAV4 was appealing to young singles, but due to its narrow width and tight rear legroom, this cute ute was ultimately no substitute for a traditional family vehicle. Advantages included carlike handling, a low cargo floor and a large rear door that made loading cargo a breeze.
User Reviews:
Showing 51 through 60 of 2,041.00-
In the top percentile for sure - 2005 Toyota RAV4
By deeman - October 15 - 1:43 pmOne really can not complain about Toyota performance and value. Its a tough market out there today with all the mini-utes and I dont anything will be disappointed with owning a Rav4. The driving experience is excellent. The manual transmission is definitely the way to go for fun driving and acceleration. The AWD system is the best in class.
-
Solid Vehicle, Some Issues at 78K - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By Jerry - October 14 - 10:00 amOur 2004 Rav 4 has been a very solid performer and been reliable until today. At 78,000 miles (we just learned) the steering unit is leaking, the front brakes need rotors turned and pads replaced (2nd time). Also the water pump is leaking. All told - it looks like Toyota will charge $1200 to get things fixed. These are the first issues weve had, so I cant complain too loudly. Savannah Toyota has exceptional service and sales staff - so we dont mind supporting their business.
-
Gen 2 Rav nicer than Gen 1 but -Quality - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By Canada Rav - October 14 - 10:00 amI have two Gen 1 2L Manual AWD Ravs. This one is nicer. More room, more storage space, more comfortable, more power, quieter, better fuel efficiency (~ 500 km @ 50l on the 2l Gen 1s and ~ 560 km @ 50l on the 2.4l Gen2). The extra 0.4L makes a big difference. I especially like the way the engine compartment is laid out. Much more room to work on the motor. My only complaint is the drive by wire accelerator pedal. I find there is no fine control at low speeds so low speed creeping, driving is not intuitive. It is certainly a step backwards to go from cable to potentiometer with respect to feel and man-machine interface. BAD: The transmission vibrates in 5th under load :(
-
I am impressed! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
By BobtheBrit - October 9 - 7:16 amThis is a company vehicle and I could not be happier. Toyota has really thought about this vehicle and it shows. The ride is comfortable and quiet. The handling is quick and sure-footed. The sound system is superb. I love the Bluetooth and I am on the phone a lot! I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who needs a small SUV with a big feel. The fold flat seats from the back door is a great feature. This is a GREAT vehicle!
-
Awesome compact SUV! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
By Joyce - October 6 - 2:43 am -
Excellent vehicle. Good job Toyota Japan - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By sammy b - October 4 - 8:43 pmI got my Rav4 v6 4wd sport last week and I love it. It is built very well, and performs great at acceleration and handling. It gets very good mileage for 269hp v6 w/4wd. Stable at high speeds, comfortable, looks good, fits perfect in my garage, what else is there to say. Test drive one and youll be hooked like I was.
-
Nothing to Ever Worry About - 2002 Toyota RAV4
By Teresa Mitchem - October 4 - 4:10 pmIn 2.5 years Ive put 61,000 miles on my beloved Rav4 and have never had one problem. I give it routine maintenance and drive it with confidence that itll last me another 200,000 miles. Love that Toyota quality!
-
Good yuppie car - 2006 Toyota RAV4
By philly driver - October 4 - 5:53 amExcellent car in lieu of buying a comparable 4 door sedan. Shorter but roomier than Camry (thus easier to park). More utility (available 4 wheel drive) and younger persona than a Camry but close in price. Fills niche for people who want a reliable 5 passenger, fun to drive car with extra cargo room. No reason to get a 4 door sedan when a RAV4 is an option.
-
Our Blue Ravioli - 2002 Toyota RAV4
By Laurie Mena - October 4 - 2:00 amRAV4 offers SUV convenience yet great gas mileage of 24/city and 28/highway because the car runs in fifth except when you override it. Comparable makes offered 6-10 mpg less. We didnt see the economy until 10,000 miles. Other great features were the back, with low floor and side-closing door (and tire hangin on door.) A child can change clothes at the beach in complete privacy. It is shorter than the Corolla and easy to park. Difficult to find any color but silver or white, we finally found blue. The blue, green and red are stunning. With override button on the shifter, it gets us up hills quickly. This is a great family car.
-
love toyota - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By bambam - September 30 - 10:00 amlove this suv. perfect and has a lot of pep.
