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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  Great Safe Vehicle - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By KarenP - May 30 - 2:03 pm

  I would just like to share that the 07Toyota Rav4 Limited with the third row seat provided excellent Safety for myself and my daughter who was sitting in the back seat behind me. While sitting at a traffic light, we were hit from behind with another vehicle traveling at 50MPH. The Rav4 did what it was designed to do and that was to protect the integrity of the interior while the outside of the vehicle crumpled around us. The vehicle was totaled, but myself and my daughter walked away with only bruising and whiplash. I was so impressed by this, we purchased the same vehicle, 08Rav4 Limited with the third row seat to replace the totaled one. Would highly recommend for safety!

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  Riding in Sporty Barcelona Red - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By randy schott - May 29 - 2:30 pm

  Love this compact SUV! Great exterior styling, quiet ride, maximum storage in its class, wonderful back seat leg room, a navigation/audio package upgrade at a great price point, and end-of-year closeout prices that were eye-popping. And oh yeah... that Barcelona Red got my adult kids attention. Its a great looking ride! With Toyotas reliability and celebrated resale values, this purchase was one I was looking forward to for some time.

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  Good Small SUV - minor irritations - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By jtv1000 - May 26 - 6:03 pm

  Wife and I bought new RAV4 in May. Got the 3rd row seat option as we have two small boys. Seems like the usual Toyota quality from a mechanical standpoint. Ample power and interior room. 3rd row seats will only work for children in the younger than 10 year range. Not a lot of leg room between 2nd & 3rd row, but lots of different configuration options with 2&3 row seating. Negatives include interior door panels on driver & passenger side that encroach leg space. Some discoloration on the edges of panel because of leg rubbing - very irritating for a brand new car. Dash display button on steering wheel is unnecessary. Top glove box storage bin feels cheap. Good car overall.

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  Rhoda Tee - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By rhodatee - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This has been a very nice little suv vehicle for me. I travel a lot with my son and we can pack away our suitcases and still be comfortable and not crowded. It really serves my purpose

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  Great all around vehicle - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Erwin - May 22 - 5:11 pm

  I got this 3 three weeks ago and its been great so far. The engine in smooth and quiet. The eco, normal and sport mode works great you can feel the throttle change dynamics. I use the econ most of the time on city driving to save fuel and sport if I want to do passing maneuvers. The steering is how a toyota drives. The suspension is on the firm side but great on the freeway with very little body roll. The cabin is quiet. Drove from vegas to LA and back and averaged 28. I got 25 on mostly city driving. The navigation is great but voice command could be better, sometimes it does not pick up what you are telling it to do. The only missing here is adaptive cruise, forward collision mitigation and a dual chrome exhaust that I wished toyota should have added here.

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  Great utility and fast! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Dave - May 15 - 9:40 am

  I have had my Rav for about 2 months now. I purchased Sport V6- great handeling and one of the fastest vehicles toyota now makes. There is very little wind noise on the highway at any speed. The driving position is comfortable although the seats are on the firm side. Lots of interior storage and the rear door opens to a nice flat floor. The floor storage is great for smaller items although you would be surprised how much can be fit in there. My mpg is averaging 20 city and 26 hiway- excellent for 269 hp! The added weight of the V6 up front really helps with snow/ice traction also.

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  Great Look, Fun to Drive - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By puttsnone - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The RAV 4 is a really great car. While the road noise is a bit louder than it should be, everything else about the car makes it worth the purchase. It is very dependable, easy to control and fun to drive. Everywhere I go, people are commenting on what a sharp looking car it is. I bought this for my daughter, but would definitely purchase one for myself if I was looking for a SUV.

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  Best SUV for the money - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By hazman - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Toyota packed so much into this little SUV. Being based on a car platform, it has a fantastic ride, and handles more like a car than an SUV. The new 2.4L engine is a blast and still the fuel economy is great, considering that this thing has AWD - Ive averaged 27 mpg. The new audio controls on the steering are great, and I like the 6 cd sound system with 8 speakers. The refreshed styling makes it look even better, and I love the new wheels. 4 wheel discs are now standard, and much more confidence inspiring. This car is perfect. Has AWD, with great fuel economy, offers Vehicle Skid Control and traction control, and great braking too.

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  Love my RAV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By MeAndMyRav - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I love this car everybody!!! I got a 95 civic when it was new and this is a welcome change. Its pretty friendly at the gas pump...Ive been averaging 28-30 MPG! Its pep and style just mkae it so much fun to drive! The interior is very simple, sporty and user friendly. Its great for hauling stuff too. While you cannot fit everything in a RAV, its great for trips to the supermarket and home improvement stores. This car is perfect for me and my family. We can fit 4 people reasonably comfortably and we dont find the interior driving noise to be bad at all. I highly reccommend this mini ute!

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  Price is right - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By J. Hicks - May 6 - 1:51 pm

  Its a decent vehicle for the price. Toyota is a good brand. I just bought it, so I cant predict the future. Im hoping to get alot of good years from it without any major issues.