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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  Good Commuter - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By AlJ - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Good handling, milege, breaks. Vehicle stability control and traction control terrific for this class vehicle. Wold prefer a six, not because it does not have enough pep but because it wouldnt have to work as hard. Interior is a little tight. If room in back is paramont, you can probably make a better choice.

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  Better than expected. - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Jessica - July 29 - 12:03 pm

  Maybe because I had a Nissan XTerra prior to my RAV4, I feel like the RAV4s driving experience is very much like a car, not an SUV (which is fantastic), and theres no truck-like feeling. The cornering is fairly tight for an SUV and the acceleration is phenomenal with the V6... I have no problem zipping into small spaces. I love the fuel economy, too (averaging 22.5 mpg in Central NJ). The keyless entry/ignition is so so so convenient and awesome, too.

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  Red Flash - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Tracy - July 27 - 1:46 pm

  I looked a long time for the perfect suv. Found it! The rav4 is awesome, it is quiet, quick, comfortable, outstanding build quality. Great for travel or short trips. I highly advise to take one for a test drive.

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  Great little SUV - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Cary Washburn - July 25 - 2:33 pm

  I got one of the first cars off the boat the end of December and have now had the car for a month. So far I am getting about 26 MPG for highway driving during rush hour. It is comfortable to drive and having been a previous Toyota owner it is very see or access gages and systems. LOVE IT! Lots of room and easy to drive.

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  2001 Toyota RAV4 - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Rob Ryan - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Acceleration of this vehicle is extremely poor,and is very poor when the engine is cold.Fuel economy is good, and is comfortable to drive. Other than the very poor acceleration of this vehicle, its been a good SUV.

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  toyota - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By NY2010 - July 24 - 4:56 am

  This is my second RAV4 and I didnt hesitate to buy it. Though I did enjoy my prior Base model V6 this time I went with a Sport model 4cyl. This is my top choice for its reliability, space, look, 4x4 option, moderate price and most of all safety. This 2nd vehicle came about after an accident resulting in a total loss, but I can not speak enough about the structural integrity this vehicle retained under duress.

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Ann - July 24 - 3:46 am

  Outstanding performance, especially the "zippy" feel when accelerating. Even though its a four-cylinder, it feels like a six. I love the fact that the rear seats are totally removable.

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  Sporty and My Choice over Equinox - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By jstorbeck - July 23 - 8:15 am

  After test driving a half dozen small SUVs including the Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape and Explorer, and Jeep Liberty, I concluded the Rav4 Sport was right for me. Coming from an RX8 I wanted something fun to drive, that looked sporty, and yet had a lot of storage. You get less standard features compared to the Equinox but you have to weigh that compared to Toyota reliability. Also the Equinox back seat does not fold truly flat. Only minor complaints are above average road noise and a stiffer ride. The Sport model looks a ton better as it does not have the ugly tire hanging off the back. It uses run flat tires. Has 269 hp, great visibility, and responsive steering. Good sporty option.

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  Perfect Mini SUV - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By RDL - July 22 - 5:40 pm

  If youre looking for a mini SUV this auto is it. Get the V6 as the fuel economy is just as good as the smaller 4 cyl. and the V6 gives you the power you need uphill and to pass other vehicles. On the hwy the RAV holds its own and has a nice ride if youre going across town or on a trip. Looks great and runs great. Toyota hit a home run with this vehicle. The added length was a great addition as was the V6. The safety features such as the LSD and downhill features are great as they allow you to go places without needing a 4WD. I have the front wheel drive Sport model and I havent missed the 4WD feature yet. I get around on ice and slippery conditions just fine. Great auto.

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  RAV4 gets rave review - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Ken Souza - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Our RAV4 is everthing we expected and more. As long-time loyal Toyota customers (We still have our 1991 Corolla w/170,000 mi.) the RAV4 has met our every expectation with only one minor exception - wind noise. This vehicle is a pleasure to drive and ride in, even on long trips. Acceleration is very good with the more powerful 2004 engine. And design -- We have had a few second glances from young and adult alike. We plan to keep ours a long, long time.