Overview & Reviews
The Toyota RAV4 carries over unchanged for 2008.
- Superb power and fuel economy for optional V6, balanced ride and handling, roomy second row, low cargo floor, solid construction.
- Interior has a budget feel, side-hinged rear gate impedes curbside loading, driver seat a tight fit for tall drivers.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 133.00-
At first impressed and then not so much - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By spidermum - December 8 - 3:00 pmI am a 7 year Toyota owner and didnt think twice when it was time to buy a another car. My 2003 Corolla took me to 150,000 miles with no problems (besides standard maintenance). I bought my CERTIFIED 2008 RAV4 in November of 2009 and have had to replace the breaks, tires, and battery since then. At first, I loved the snappiness (torque) of my V6 Rav4. After replacing the breaks and the tires (after 6 months of ownership) I was a little discouraged. Then, my battery went out and what I didnt know is that the power steering is powered by the battery. I lost complete power steering in the middle of a major intersection and am thankful to be alive.
-
Malfunction at 90 miles - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By wpenny - November 29 - 12:20 amI am disappointed with the 2008 Rav4. I turned a corner last night, pressed on the gas and the car jerked and three major malfunction indicator lights came on (4WD, VSC and a lamp). Toyota does not know what the codes are and needs to contact Toyota engineering. 3-weeks old and malfunctions. Should have stuck with the Camry
-
Terrible - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By k - January 16 - 10:16 pm2008 4 cyl rav 4 is the worst vehicle I have ever owned out of 15 toyotas. It rides like a tank especially in the rear. Why dont people tell the truth about this vehicle so some poor buyer wont be hurt? Cant wait to get rid of it. Ive been with Toyota for 30 years and have been treated very well but the ride of this vehicle makes me sick and I will rethink my next vehicle.
-
Irritating issues make this a 6.0 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By Kevin - November 10 - 2:50 amThis is my first Toyota, after years of Ford ownership. Ill be going back to Ford as their build quality and value for money are better. I like the fuel economy, load capacity and power, but the body styling is awful, the radio is tinny and cheap, the tires didnt last and the traction control is absolutely awful - when all four wheels are spinning (like when youre stuck in snow), the TC cuts power to the engine meaning you cant "bully" your way out of the snow. I need chains to get out of my own driveway! My Ford Escape had no problems at all in the snow. Overall this gets a 6.0 and Ill not look at Toyota again.
-
Toyota is Slipping - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By voicedude - September 17 - 7:59 amI bought this car for the engine, and it remains the best feature of the car. But I have had ongoing problems with the transmission, and many others have, too. This is only true with the 5-speed transmission on the V6 (not the 4-cyl.) The now infamous "whining transmission" noise that has been well documented on the owners forums (search transmission noise on RAV4 World and others) is something you will want to consider when youre buying this vehicle used. Also the poor response from Toyota in fixing the problem under warranty has completely soured me on the ownership experience, so I wouldnt be able to recommend this car to anyone. Go with Honda.
-
Rattling dashboard - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By Karen - April 27 - 7:03 pmI bought my 2008 rav4 4x4 base model in February 2008. It was the best vehicle I ever owned until it hit 850 miles and thats when I could hear a loud constant rattling coming from the dashboard, more specifically the center console. The vehicle was brought back to the dealership 4 times and was never permanently fixed. The master technician, who was great to deal with even replaced my vents in the center dash with a new RAV4 on the sales lot. At times it sounded like a popcorn machine! Finally, a field technical expert from Toy inspected the vehicle and determined that it was A NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC! Very disappointed, 1st and last Toyota Ill ever own.
-
Will not buy about another Toyota - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By J shafer - February 27 - 10:00 amFirst off, Ive had three yodas: 89 corolla 214,000 mi, 95 Camry 250,000 mi and this rav4. The rav just feels cheaper: the paint has way to many chips, the transmission is horrible, rough ride in the city, the stereo sucks, interior is loud, not enough room in the driver (Im 62" 200 lbs) and passenger seat, we are expecting our third child and have to buy three new car seats because the second row is so narrow and it just doesnt feel like it is going to hold up. Now the good: zero problems in the first three years (of course its just past the three year mark), awesome second row leg room and cargo, great in the snow, gas mileage is decent, and the wife loves the second glove box.
-
Gas mileage rip off - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By NHNancy - April 25 - 12:10 amThis is my first Toyota. Its been a little over one month. The first week I couldnt believe my eyes. I got 400 miles on the first tanks. WOW! 25 mpg for bumper to bumper traffic. And then it went downhill from there. I am now lucky to get 300 per tank or 19 mpg. Cold weather this week, the back brakes are making a high pitched noise when stopping.
-
Read This Please - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By Mike S - March 21 - 7:50 amDont know if I would recommend. Virtually all the "crabs" I read pre-purchase were true. Drivers position is tight (Im 6,2) uncomfortable, yields backaches, plastic edges in door panels cut into the legs, radio whines if iPod/satellite radio is vehicle powered, dashboard info difficult to see in daylight, overhead lights blind driver at night, cup holders are dumb and restricted, rear seat does not fold down completely, front passenger seat does not fold down, the cargo area light is a joke, rear door hinged on wrong side, rear glass does not open, etc. Sport suspension is excellent, brakes are reasonable. Gas mileage is disappointing at 21/24, power is fine with 4 cyl in flat areas like FL.
