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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  Wow - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By B Humphreys - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my second RAV4 my first one is still kicking from 1997. I like the extra power this has over that one. The little quirks have been worked out and the car rides wonderfully. Small engine, 5 speed, L package is the way to go...

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  Best Small SUV - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Allie - August 2 - 4:03 am

  This is my third Toyota, and my second RAV-4 - I previously had a 2003 2WD model and decided to upgrade to the 2005 4WD "L" model. I couldnt be happier! The engine was improved in 2004 providing more horsepower which completely removed the "gut-less" reputation the RAV-4 had. This vehicle has plenty of get-up-and go for a 4- cyl. SUV! Stylish and fun to drive, while achieving high safety and reliability ratings. The standardization of anti-lock breaks and the additional air bags make the "L" model a top choice!

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  2006 RAV4 6Cyl Limited 4wd - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob - July 31 - 9:20 pm

  Nice idea, but needs a little refinement. 20 city/22 highway mileage with conservative driving. Better than the current CR-V (being replaced this fall), but seems as if it were rushed into production. Rear door hinged on the wrong side (designed for right-hand drive-Japan). Sunroof cannot be opened all the way without introducing a load booming noise (per the owners manual-not in the sales literature). This is a new model that does not have bluetooth capability. Overall, not bad, but much happier with my 4Runner (features and execution).

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  Impressive, fun to drive - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Ed - July 30 - 8:23 am

  We traded a 2003 Honda CRV for the impressive Rav4 because of reliability, styling, peppy 4-cyl, room, rear storage.The Honda disappointed when it was in repair for one week with an engine problem. Never happened on the Toyotas I owned before the CRV.

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  Transmission Problems - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By larrys9 - July 27 - 1:08 pm

  Transmission vibrates power train when5th and 6th in shifted. Engine makes a terrible growl all the time. I should have bought a Honda.

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  AWESOME Car! My 2nd Rav!!! - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Michelle Burnette - July 24 - 12:03 am

  I love the car! I drive about 70 miles one way to work every morning! I love it! I love the stick shift and my moon roof! Very quiet and comfortable

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  fun and quick - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By garyin australia - July 22 - 2:33 pm

  This is a right hand drive. I have owned a lot of other makes and Toyota is still the best bang for the buck. Ive read all the reviews on the RAV4 and they all hit the mark. Theres more than enough room, power and performance built into this vehicle.

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  Now Bigger Squintier with Less Head and Leg Room - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Jeff Harris - July 18 - 10:03 pm

  I took my beloved 2006 RAV in for its 120,000 mile maintenance. and drove a new 2015 Rav 4 for the day. I first noticed unfortunate design changes while attempting to get in the car. The seat was higher. The roof lower, and the steering wheel moved less. Anyone over 6 feet tall will not be comfortable getting in and out of the drivers seat of the 15 Rav 4. Thats a shame because the ample headroom and easy entry was one of the reasons I bought the 06 Rav 4. Visibility from the drivers seat , which wasnt ideal in my 2006 Rav4, was even further from ideal in the 15. The ribbon windows in my 06 model have become mere slits in the 15. No backup camera is a risky thing in the Rav 4; I had one installed after reportedly backing into objects hidden from view. The 15 has even less view of what is behind it. Clearly, tiny fashionistas with an obsession with squinty windows and headlights have taken control of design and the car suffers from it. The only improvement I detected was a decrease in road noise.

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  Happy With My Purchase - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By jswen1 - July 17 - 2:16 pm

  Ive had the RAV4 LE AWD model for 2 weeks. Am liking it very much so far. Rides nicely. Averaging 28 mph combined hwy and city, higher than I expected. Had 03 and 09 Honda CRVs prior to this. Both were dependable. Test drove the 15 CRV but ruled it out because of wind noise. The CRV vibration problem so many reviewers mention is also cause for concern, though I didnt experience it on the test drive. Also test drove the Suburu Forrester but found I liked the RAV4 the best of the 3 SUVs.

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  RAV4 w/problems - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By JonG - July 14 - 5:10 pm

  After 2700 miles of driving I have had 3 events of all the idiot lights coming on plus two complete breakdowns. Dealer analyzed (Oh for the days of do it yourself cars) and replaced a fuse. Our trip from Tennessee to Florida was a disaster. All idiot lights came on plus the battery light. Power steering died and car had to be towed to dealer who replaced battery. After 250 more miles, same thing happened and had to get towed to dealer again. This dealer was good and found alternator was defective. New type with clutch for trailer package upgrade. No one has the new alternator in stock so it has to come from Cal. I love the car, but wont tolerate any more breakdowns