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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  Fun to drive - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob in WA - March 7 - 8:06 pm

  The 2008 limited RAV4 with the V6 is a winning combination. The drive is superb, the dual control temperature is a great feature, saves arguments on the right temperatures. The performance of the V6 will impress even the most skeptical driver. Steering is very responsive and all around this is a high quality fun vehicle to drive.

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  Is this a great car or what? - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By rafi - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Best cargo space in its class, lots of useful compartments. Was skeptical of the spare on back and swinging back door - now I love those features, make the car even more practical. Leg room in the second row is impressive. Acceleration is adequate. Gas mileage great if you drive carefully and dont unnecessarily rev up the engine; on a highway when driving not more than 65mph you can easily get 30 mpg. I own mine for 2 months now, I do 50/50 city/highway mix and my average mpg is 28.2, weather and driving conditions were perfect, though - during winter and sweltering summer days I expect the average mpg drop a little, perhaps to 27 not lower. Oil change every 5K instead 3K - like it too.

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  Thankful for the decision! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Josh E. - March 3 - 7:23 pm

  So far, since buying this midsize suv, my wife and I have driven over 3500 miles, including a move that took us through the Appalachian mountain range. I cannot be more pleased with my decision to buy this vehicle. With the 4-cyl, there is some hesitation when merging onto the interstate, but overall there is plenty of pickup for 364 out of 365 days of the year. Im impressed with the room in the 2nd row bench seat, and we have two large dogs that were comfortable for a 1000-mile move to North Carolina. 28 MPG in this car is not a stretch, especially with some mixed (HWY and City) driving. Fit and finish are outstanding!

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  "Almost" Perfect.... - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Tuttman - March 2 - 7:53 am

  Not very comfortable for driver on long drives. Vehicle is listed at 21mpg city and 28mpg highway. After the first year my mpg went down to 18 city and 25 highway. I can barely get 280 miles from a tank of gas in the city. Dealership says nothing wrong. (dealerships are all rip-offs) Exhaust has a rattle at low rpms. Other than that, I love this car. After 3.5 years and 37000 miles, it has needed NO repairs other than scheduled maintenance. The most reliable car Ive ever owned.

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  Love My New Rav 4 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Branden - March 1 - 10:20 pm

  Theres a lot to like about this vehicle, and a few minor annoyances. The pick up is amazing with the V6 engine (I previously had a 4 cylinder). Lots of room compared to older models. Plenty of legroom for passengers in back, and plenty of cargo space.

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  I love my RAV4! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Christine - February 29 - 10:56 am

  I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone! I test drove the Honda CR-V first and it was nice, but too small for me. I test drove the RAV4 and it was PERFECT!

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  I love my Toyota Rav4!!! - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By elefante - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Have only had the Rav for a month now but we LOVE it after a Dodge Caravan. Much better handling and reliability. Smooth handling. Sure-footed on slippery roads. Nice mileage. Lots of room. Love the adjustable front drivers seat. Acceleration on highway might seem slow for a few seconds but suddenly youre there and going at top speed.

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  The Perfect Car - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By canyongirl - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I love it. I have had it for a month now. 1,120 miles and I love it more everyday. I have th L pkg with Leather, moon roof the works it is awesome. I live in the Bay area and traffic is insane. The visabilty make changing lanes much easier. I no longer mind ( well not as much) sitting in endless traffic. I also travel out of town for work I use to enjoy renting cars. Now i just miss my car.,

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  Love this SUV! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Edee - February 20 - 6:13 am

  My first Toyota and first SUV. Wasnt sure if a 4 cyl would be enough - it is, has plenty of pep, handles like a car, gets great gas mileage, rides smoothly, corners well, easy to park & my very tall son can actually fit in the front seat. Love the new larger size and exterior look. The interior is well designed, everything in reach, gauges easy to read. Running lights a great idea. Cargo area exceptional for the size.

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  Returned in 2006 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Sunshine - February 17 - 8:23 pm

  I had and still have a 1996 Rav4. My son drives it and it is still running, so when I needed a new car, I came back. The extra space is great. I would like to see more adjustments available for drivers seat and optional airbags standard equipment, but you can be sure it will still be going strong, long after its paid for. And they do have good resale value.