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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  Glad I bought it - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Jazzman - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 04 RAV4 and considered CR-V (I owned a 98 CR-V), Outback, and Equinox. I finally chose the RAV for the V6, reliability, gas mileage and space. Also, they were dealing at the time because of the media blitz about unintended acceleration. This car gets about 1 mpg better than my older 4 cylinder RAV and is much faster and roomier. Its definitely built light weight, the body panels seem pretty thin from the outside. I have no road noise complaints after driving two other small crossovers for the last 12 years; its noticeably quieter than those. When my commute was largely freeway I got 24 mpg (actual). Now I drive short stop and go hilly trips at 4200 ft elevation and get 22.

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  Test drive for a long time - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By amy - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I am 57" and have a long torso - seat is so uncomfortable I am going to physical therapy. Neck and shoulder pain while driving is horrible. Bumpy ride felt more so on newly paved roads for some reason. It feels like the wheels are not balanced or aligned properly or something. Online research regarding same showed numerous people have same problems with seat being uncomfortable and bumpy ride. Dont limit yourself to the 5 mile or so test drive that the sales rep "allows" you. I regretted buying this car after about a week. Also, stereo is bland and low end.

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  Good little SUV but not great. - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Ron W. - October 29 - 6:11 am

  Pros - Looks great, handles well, great safety features and reliability. Cons - Gas mileage, around 21.5 combined (L.A.), a little noisy, front brakes (and this has never happened to me) wont last too long. I havent needed brakes since cars I owned in the late 1980s. I trade them in around 35k-50k mileage. So this is a design flaw in the Toyota ESPECIALLY because they already have to turn/smooth the front rotors and replace the pads. (Its at the dealer as I write this.) No charge, under warranty, but still, this should not of happened yet. The interior is cheap. I have SO many little scratches, marks and a big dip where my elbow rests on the smooth part where the window meets the plastic. I take really great care of my cars and have never seen so many interior marks. Im a solo driver 97% of the time so this is just weird. Acceleration is acceptable but never fun, even in sport mode. Navigation is primitive, but that is no big deal because I use my iPhone for navigation through bluetooth which works nicely.

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  Well keep our superior 2011 Rav4 Limited - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Tim - October 28 - 3:56 am

  Try before you buy! When we needed more cargo room to take daughter and dorm stuff back to school 100 miles away we killed 2 birds with one stone. Were considering a new Rav but a 10 minute test drive IS NOT enough so we rented a 2016 Rav4 Limited which was hard to find for rent and seemed to ride the same as a 2015 we had driven prior. The car served its purpose in 2 ways: 1: It got the job done. 2: It convinced us to keep our 2011. Why? Ok so if you drive mostly smooth highways its ok. When tooling around/commuting on anything else it rides like a brick (yes tire psi correct) You feel every imperfection on the road.The other annoyance is the 6 speed which in theory makes sense but its annoying as it constantly hunts for gears. The 15/16 just have an overall cheap feel inside and out including fake leather. Our 2011 by comparison feels solid, no gear hunting, not a squeak or rattle, nice ride and real perforated leather. We have owned many fine Toyotas including our current Rav and 2009 Camry Hybrid but I think corporate greed has caused their quality to decline in recent years including far too many recalls some of which years later STILL dont have a fix which speaks volumes right there.

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  overdone and underdone - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Doug - October 21 - 4:30 pm

  Over all the RAV4 is a great choice. I love the way it looks and I dont get to a light and see 3 others sitting there with me. It is quiet and comfortable to drive. I have only owned it 1 month and this is what I have found. The tech guys that did the instruments over did the MPG and MPH choices, there are 3. I wish it had a tripometer but it doesnt have any only tells you miles till empty and I am doubting the accuracy of that. They could have had a electronic read out of current MPH. I have the SE and that trim level does not have a compass built in or automatic head lights. My old 2009 Escape had both plus 2 tripometers. I kind of expect that at that trim level and shouldnt have to pay $2500 to move to a Limited to get it. I am not an aggressive driver and am getting 27-28 MPG in the city which is great. I havent had it on the expressway long enough to get a highway number.

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  Fun, Safe, Reliable, Sharp! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Chris - October 21 - 8:03 am

  Have owned this rav4 limited 4wd since aug 2006, so heres a real road test. Sticker said: 23-28 9 city/hwy), I average 28 mpg, with a few tanks getting 30-33 mpg. And yes its a 4wd. Only changes made, were those junky Yokohama tires at 29k miles. Everything else is original & still going strong!

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  4 wheel drive.....not! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By arantslimj12 - October 19 - 9:20 am

  We bought the 2010 Rav4 base model 4 cylinder because we owned a 2003 4runner and wanted better gas milage. the Rav4 boasted 21 to 27 miles per gallon. Yeah right! More like 21 all the time! Also the "4 wheel drive" isnt really 4 wheel drive. It is only active until you reach 25 mile per hour! Then its just a two wheel drive. And did i mention the suspension? It was sooooo stiff you get beat up in the drivers set day in and day out. Over all i was very disappointed and paid wayyyy too much for this thing! it just felt so cheap! Well we traded it in this week for a 2009 Subaru Forester!

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  A great, fun car. But it does ratttle! - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Cchap - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Love the look, performance, feel, and gas mileage of the car. Very fun to drive (and Im coming from a recent model BMW). Only criticism is what others have mentioned: mysterious rattles that can be very annoying. Otherwise it is a great car.

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  Great little SUV - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By gmorgan3 - October 10 - 2:49 am

  Purchased my Rav4 in Oct 2010 enjoy the car very much. Easy to drive and did very well in the snow during winter. I get an average of 23 mpg. In June 2011 I was rear ended while I was at a stop and the person was going 50 MPH and the car did so well in the accident. I was very impressed how well it took the hit from the other car.

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  family car - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By jeff vercollone - October 9 - 9:25 am

  Acceleration and mpg are disappointing, but only the very reduced mpg was unexpected. Overall, if youre not looking for a crossover that is fun to drive like an X3, its a good family car that has a better ride, interior size and options over the other makers in the mid-priced market (Honda, Mazda, KIA and Hundai). We test drove them all.