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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  Meh - 2014 Toyota RAV4
  By 2manycars3 - January 19 - 9:10 am

  Recently traded a 2003 Hyundai Santa fe for the 2014 RAV4. Based mostly on price I leased the car, its okay but styling is boring, ride is firm, interior is cheap. If a Hyundai dealer would have been closer to home I think I would have stayed with the Hyundai, or a KIA. Inconvenient storage(coins, phone). Seat fold downs in back are okay, but the front seat could have been included to maximize full length hauling . The doors sound cheap/hollow when you close them. Overall a little disappointed, I have never owned a Toyota before, dont think I would get one again.

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  Rattle Trap - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Run - October 22 - 2:00 am

  My Rav4 rattled at the bottom of the windshield and the breaks started to squeak before I traded it. I repeatedly tried to have the rattle fixed but it always returned. If you want a quiet car, get something else that is what I did. The Rav4 is easy to park and drive on flat roads, but struggles to make it uphill.

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  Beware of a Few Things Before Pruchase - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By mikeb - August 31 - 6:53 am

  My RAV is actually an 04, but I feel that I should share my experience. I liked the vehicle at first, but several things began to bug me. First, I found the front seats front seats to be very uncomfortable if driving more than 30 minutes, and so did my passengers. Second, the back seat has horrible leg room - a problem if you have back seat passengers on a regular basis. Third, the rear hatch door seems flimsy and items fall out too easily. Also, the cabin seemed to cramped - and I am only 58" and 150lbs. My previous car was a Civic and somehow the cabin of the RAV seems smaller!I traded my RAV in for a 05 Honda CRV SE - much better vehicle over all - tons more room!

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  Not bad - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Earl - August 27 - 10:30 pm

  Just purchased so I cannot comment on reliability but only initial observations. Car feels more solid than other cars in class. Doors have a definite "thunk". Drives easily like a smaller car but has lots of room in both front and back seats. Standard features cover most of the important items like AC, power windows/locks, window tint. Really nice suspension that absorbs most bumps and breaks in the road. 4 cylinder feels torquey but definitely does not have wow factor. Test drove 6 cylinder and it had really good power but hesitated to downshift at highway speeds. I am hearing some rattling from the rear of the car which is troubling for a new car.

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  RAF 4 headlights - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Diane Mowers - May 22 - 1:21 am

  This car has very dangerous headlights! You cant see with the low beams or the high beams on. I went off the road when it was raining due to poor visability. Toyota told me nothing was wrong but next week they will take a ride with me after dark. If they still tell me nothing is wrong and wont give me a different car, time to start a class action suit. Dont buy one!

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  Time To Get rid Of My TOYota - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By toy time - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Sadly disappointed in reliability department. Have had the brakes replaced numerous times and had to have to computer replaced at 10,000miles and reflashed again at 22,000 miles. Poor customer sat from toyota. I previously owned a 98 Camery and to date was the best vehicle that I owned. Sorry Toyota but after the service I received and the numerous problems with this vehicle I will GLADLY take my business elsewhere.

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  Rattling dashboard - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Karen - April 27 - 7:03 pm

  I 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.

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  Rough Ride - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By EM from Daly City - April 4 - 3:01 am

  I gave my reliable 10 year old Lexus ES330 to my son & bought the 2015 Rav 4. I have been driving my Rav 4 for almost a year now and so far reliability has been great, its what I would expect from Toyota. I chose the 2015 Rav 4 over the Honda CR-V for the Rav 4s exterior styling although the CR-V that I saw at the Honda dealership had a nicer interior. I must say I am quite dissapointed with the 2015 Rav 4s rough ride and engine noise in city-suburban driving but highway driving is a lot smoother and quieter. I am getting around 20-21mpg in suburban driving, and around 25mpg on the so-called real life highway driving with most of the time just me and my wife in the vehicle. City Toyota Dealership Service Department in Daly City, California is fine, but it is not the top notch, luxurious and quiet Lexus Service Department that I had gotten used to. Overall I am pretty satisfied with my purchase of the 2015 Rav 4 but I must say I cannot get used to the 2015 Rav 4s rough ride in suburban driving.

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  Okay I guess - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By barbian7 - March 19 - 4:16 am

  As far as exterior design, nothing beats it--its a cute car. But the power just wasnt there. My mom drives a 4-cylinder Ford sedan that seems to have far better power. It was really sluggish up hills. And the fuel economy really wasnt there either, surprisingly. It was reliable in terms of service though. I only recently had an engine light come on, and then a report came out that said it might just be a glitch. I traded it before I found out. For me the worst feature was interior noise. It didnt seem insulated or something-- just wasnt really smooth in that respect. Overall just really a so-so experience for me. I doubt Ill even buy a Toyota again.

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  Will not buy about another Toyota - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By J shafer - February 27 - 10:00 am

  First 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.