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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  First Impressions are Everything - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Gawain - May 5 - 9:33 am

  First day impressions (07 RAV4, 3.5L, AWD Sport): This is an excellent vehicle. Tight as a drum build quality, straight forward controls. Very intuitive. V6 performance is amazing. The transmission likes to down-shift to get moving in a hurry (sometimes its too eager). Mixed driving averaging 22-mpg (based on first 100 miles). Even with the AWD model, some torque steer is noticable under hard acceleration, the engine is a free rev gem. Steering is precise, well weighted. Middle-end sound system is very good (6CD/MP3/Aux). Gauges are very easy to read. Accessibility for drivers/pass/trunk area is excellent. Seat comfort is very good, not quite a "10". Will submit a longer-term review soon.

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  good car and dealer - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By rpd12 - May 4 - 10:06 pm

  Comfortable and very good handling. I leased it at World Toyota in lakewood NJ and was impressed with the efficiency & honesty of the dealer and the price. The whole process took 2 hours. I realized later I was charged for the 1st months payment which was suppossed to be included. I emailed the sales mgr and he agreed to refund the payment without hesitation.

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  Love this car - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Vinny - May 4 - 8:30 am

  Bought the vehicle used with 15k now at 38K. I keep up with maintenance with battery replacement just done. This has got to be the best vehicle I have every owned, reliable and fun to drive. Just the right size for city driving and parking with excellent gas mileage. I agree with other comments regarding engine underpowered on hills and steep inclines but in total a terrific vehicle. Bottom line I would buy it again. Too bad the new ones are so much larger.

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  High pitched sound on 40 mph+ - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By ToyotaOwner - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Im just writing to say that yes, my 06 RAV4 has the high pitched noise at 40 mph. Its been going on for years now - and the sound continues sometimes up into the 60s. Extremely annoying. Also, I have a hum that is constant when idling. Windows stick into the runner - had them replaced once. But issue has returned. Rav4 is noisy, I agree. These little annoyances are causing me to look into another model. Seats are like sitting on cardboard...wish they were more plush and comfy. I get GREAT gas mileage though. Taken trips and once got 31mpg - usually highway driving allots 26-30 mpg and in town 23-24 mpg. Great vehicle - just the constant, daily noises are wearing on me.

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  Pleased Overall, With Some Caveats - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By daveinNJ - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Took over the lease on this car. Engine is powerful but vehicle does torque a bit when accelerating quickly. Quiet enough on the highway but the audio system is poor. Nice high driving position. Interior is versatile; seat fabric in Sport Model is very thick synthetic something or other. I like this car much better than my old gfriends 08 CRV EX-L. Some small things left out, e.g., no light in glove compartment. Looking forward to replacing the OEM tires (Yokohama) - theyre not great. Easy to back up for an SUV - spare tire helps you gauge how close you are to whatevers behind you. If I can find a way to upgrade the stereo, Ill definitely by the car when the lease is up.

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  2007 Toyota RAV4 - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By GBS - May 4 - 12:50 am

  If you want a reasonably priced SUV that has a LOT of power and versatility, look at this one. Some people may find the ride a bit rough. Unless you are shelling out BIG bucks for variable suspension, there is a compromise between the responsiveness of a stiffer suspension, and a smoother, "I cant feel the road" ride. Its all about what you like. The Limited IS highly responsive, but also has a reasonably smooth ride. The interior quality is good (I didnt say great!) and in-line with the price. The rear seats can be moved forward or back, accommodating large passengers or more cargo. Its a mid-sized SUV that offers some interesting features for a reasonable cost. Go for the 6cyl version!

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  The RAV is cool - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By mike - May 2 - 11:30 pm

  My wife wanted a new vehicle after driving minivans for the last fifteen years. Gas mileage was a big factor as was the fact she wanted a small suv and something sporty. All those factors took us to the RAV. Nice ride, looks cool, good gas mileage so far (about 23 mpg), cant wait to take a trip with it this summer.

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  Amazing Vehicle! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Chris J. - April 29 - 11:23 pm

  The Toyota RAV4 is an amazing vehicle. The ride is smooth and quiet, it hugs the road, is fun to drive, has amazing interior styling. I LOVE it! The best car I have owned yet by far!

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  Need Power Increase - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By petarro - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Car is Excelent, now... the Power of the Car is not so good. The Car is not Powerfull

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  RAV4 Platinum is fun, well-equip vehicle - 2017 Toyota RAV4
  By Lynn A. - April 27 - 12:47 pm

  RAV4 is well rated SUV. RAV4 Platinum is well-equipment SUV and fun to drive. I recommend that you purchase carpeted car mat package or all weather mat package which is one of the only package add ons that are offered since so much is standard. I also recommend the cargo net since it helps from items falling out of rear when lift gate is opened. The cargo cover is also a great option and it is retractable cover that is easy to use.