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:

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  Major defects - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Cgoodrich - November 10 - 8:59 pm

  Had to take it in 2 weeks after I got it gir a faulty rear differential. There were 3 other brand new ones there as well for major fixes.

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  Nice nimble car but it has problems - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Walter - August 22 - 12:16 pm

  The brakes are awful. Pedal sinks to floor while coming to slow stops. Requires pumping to bring pedal up. Dealer says everything in spec.. Next issue is steering. The electric steering is very nimble but car wanders around lanes at highway speed. You can hold the steering wheel rock steady and still drift in and out of you lane, Dealer says everything in spec. Last issue is the radio. It changes modes, volume goes up and down by itself and, on the way home from the last service at Toyota, it turned itself on with high volume. Less than 5000 miles since new. Its a cute, nimble car around town and the best snow vehicle we ever owned (traded in a Jeep). If someone would address these issues it could be a real winner. 06/2017 Rear camera is great at night. Completely worthless during the daylight hours or in rain The angle of the srceen is great for back seat people but worthless for driver or passengers up front. Cannot safely be used. Constant chimes and alerts are way overdone. Many times, the alerts point to no cause and we give up and walk away with the beeping or chimes. Sometimes not possible since doors wont lock. Crazy. Windshield is leaking some clear polymer. Strangest thing evet. First thought it was tree sap but it only appears in the exact same places. This legendary Toyota quality is a fraud. So many simple things gone so wrong. Last Toyota in our household. Update 12.28.17 Still runs well and mileage is improving. Some other things you should be aware of include: FEW BACKLIT SWITCHES. Very dangerous at night since placement of switches is downright silly at times. Not knowing what a switch does make it dangerous. EXTREMELY POOR INTERIOR LIGHTING No lighting would be a better description. Now that days are short you realize that there are virtually no lights throughout the interior - but especially in the rear areas.LACK OF A TRUE ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL It moves about 4 inches up/down and theup lift height is a joke. INFORMATION PANEL IS A JOKE Utterly worthless due to small size. INTERIOR PANELS LIGHTS DIM TOO MUCH If your put your headlights on with your wipers (a law in our state) display lights like the clock are invisible.. CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW POOR THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN IS Because it does not adjust it is only useful at night. And even then you must lean over the center console to see it. Dumb, dumb. WATCH YOUR HEAD WITH THE POWER TAILGATE LIFT TUBES. Unique propblem here. They are positionned perfectly to smash your head. I also have a Dodge Grand Caravan that does not cause brain damage.

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  Engine replaced at 56K. No more Toyota for me. - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By nomoretoyota7 - July 4 - 9:07 pm

  Sadly, though not my first Toyota, this will be my last. I had to replace my engine due to a hose failure. No recall on this part, but they changed the design in 2009.... wonder why...mmm. I take good care of my vehicles and got regular oil changes. This has become the most expensive car I have ever owned. And I bought it because of the Toyota reputation.

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  rav transmissions - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By E hastings - April 29 - 4:22 pm

  Do not buy the suv.I have 117k on mine So far repairs have killed me .Very evpensive things .Differential went out.Transmission computor.o2 sensors.

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  2013 toyota rav4 breakdown along highway - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By nana35 - April 5 - 3:09 am

  bought new on 4/22...with only 500 miles on the odometer,car quit running while i was driving down the highway...felt like engine was revving up but car was not shifting into higher gear properly..freaked me out! had it towed to dealership and am waiting on a diagnosis...i am bitterly disappointed and wish i had bought a ford escape....NOTHING should go wrong with a vehicle that has only been driven 500 miles! now im stuck with a car that i will NEVER feel secure in.

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  Your clothes will get dirty - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob R. - March 31 - 1:23 pm

  The front doors dont seal properly hence theres always dirt, mud, or grime that builds ups along the bottom edge of both front doors. This continual dirt of course gets on your clothes whenever you get in or out. After working extensively with Toyota (learned this is a common design flaw with other Toyotas to), they offered NO solution. Anyone who spends good money on their wardrobe should take heed and look for something else to drive, unless they dont care about their clothes. Because of this terribly annoying design flaw, weve only put 1,700 on it after owning it six months. Its not the car keys we grab first. Instead its only a car for when my spouse is using our other vehicle that happens to be a 1999 Dodge van. To think I wasted this much money on a car we hate to drive is the ultimate in buyers remorse.

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  Beer Can - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Rav4 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I Bought a base rav4 w 4 cylinder in July and I am shocked at how noisy it is. It is like riding in a beer can on a bucket. This is by far the noisiest vehicle I have ever owned. Vehicle sounds like you are in a constant thunderstorm. They also never sent me a survey of my opinion of my new Rav4, they did however sent me 1 for the Camry I bought the same day. I cant wait to get rid of Rav4. I took it to the dealer because I really thought something was wrong and they said that is the way they are. The brakes grind always, they are weak, you hear every seam, reflector, bump, patch and sound on every kind of road, even on smooth highways. I am beyond disappointed in this vehicle, I am mad.

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  Sorry - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Nannook - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 1998 Rav4 , I am sorry I did, The 2003 has play in the front end, I feel the road bounce more. I had the dealer check the car out and they told me that nothing was wrond with it, and that I have to get used to the new style. The 1998 Rav4 handeled better, and was more fun to drive, wish I had it back. The Tonneau Cover is an inconveniece, and falls on my head. Way to many options to choose from and too much after market stuff. Radio does suck. The center arm rest is to hard.

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  A Terrible SUV - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Sally - January 31 - 4:30 pm

  I didnt have much time to cross-shop, so I just followed public opinion before I picked my RAV4. It was completely a disaster. Fuel economy is nowhere close to the EPA number. The engine made so bothering noise and finally stalled. I just put this car on sale and hope somebody just buys it quickly.

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  Is RAV4 really made by Toyota? - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By everliv - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Rattle, Squeak, Rattle, Creak... That pretty much sums up my experience with my RAV4...not to mention the "Check Engine Light" syndrome... I have only owned Hondas and this was my first Toyota...and I have to admit, this is the worst car I have ever owned. Dont buy this car.