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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  2001 RAV4 - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Jack T. Sauerland - December 7 - 2:16 pm

  Great little car. I enjoy driving it and it is easy to enter and exit. Good power and acceleration while getting good gas mileage (about 21.5 mpg).

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  I loved that car - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By I loved that car - December 7 - 1:56 am

  I bought this car used with only 6k mls. It was always very reliable, enough room, gas mileage great. I still own the car, although some idiot decided not to look before pulling out into the highway and hit me in the side, my rav rolled 4 times. I climbed out without many injuries, nothing broken. My car on the other hand looks a sight. Although to everyones surprise, it still runs. Wrecker man brought it to my house and parked it on the street. I told him I needed it in the driveway, so he got in it and DROVE it to the space I wanted it. Still quiet running, sounds great. I dont know what I will do with it, I know I am going to miss driving it.

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  Positives & Negatives - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By anastasia52 - December 5 - 10:48 pm

  We purchased this vehicle in November and have found some things we like & dont like. We really like the blind spot monitor. This feature should be available on more cars. We also like the style of the car and rear cross traffic alert. We are extremely disappointed in the Rough, Bumpy Ride. It is a great riding car on the PA turnpike or a smoothly paved road. Our limited model has 18 inch Bridgestone tires and it provides a very Rough Ride. My voice even vibrates when Im trying to talk to anyone in the car at the time with me. Dont think this will be a vehicle my husband and I will grow old with in our senior years.

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  Good mountain car - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Madeleine - December 5 - 4:47 pm

  I have had this car about a month. I live in the mountains and wanted a car with decent acceleration that would be good in winter weather. The 2.5 engine has been fine even on steep hills at altitude. Ive driven it in snowy, icy conditions (with snow tires) and it handles well and feels smooth. The automatic transmission can slide over to manual and a nudge of the shift lever up or down changes the gear. This gives the car the clutch breaking of a standard transmission and I have used it on icy, snowy downhills when I dont want to brake a lot. At first, I used the sport setting on hills, but Ive found it climbs as well on the normal setting. I got the Limited because I love the push button start (Im a key loser) and the automatic headlights. I also like the vinyl seats which are easy to wipe clean. The technology features are helpful. For example, a yellow light appears on the side mirrors when a car is in your blindspot and, when youre in reverse there is a warning if something is about to pass behind. Update- have the car 8 months- 10,000 miles No mechanical problems. Driving this winter, it was really handy to be able to push a button and go into 4 wheel drive. Twice during snowy, icy weather, I used it on an uphill highway ramp. The second time, a light on the dash flashed "4 wheel drive not on" or something like that--hint, hint. It gave me instant traction and shuts off around 25 mpg. The all wheel drive was really excellent the rest of the time. Pros Roomy. Decent back seats and plenty of storage area. Headlights and fog lights great on dark roads Smooth ride with good feel of the road Two memory settings for the drivers seat! I am 52" and everyone has to move my seat. My 62" husband is comfortable as a passenger. Cons Radio with Sirius is a touch screen- It takes a lot of attention off the road to change stations or settings and its impossible to see if the sun is hitting it. Also there are no preset buttons for the radio. I can change preset stations (on the touch screen) from the steering wheel but I still have to look down too much to see what is on. Short back window so the rear wiper only cleans a small area. Overall Im happy with the car. I havent had problems with it so far. 12/17 I ended up trading this car because I found the controls unsafe. I do mostly highway driving. The Rav4 had a large busy touch screen that took a lot of attention while driving; not just because of the reflection from sun, but listings of radio stations (I have SiriusXM), for example were small, and I needed to look down at the screen, even with the steering adjustment. The heat mode control was in the center and low, with small stick pictures of the heat/def selected. Also the on/off switch for the blind spot monitor is low on the right of the steering wheel and I accidentally shut it off once getting in with snow pants. I tried to remember to check that the light was on when I started driving. There are no dashboard warnings when it and other features, except for traction control, are off or on. I wanted a car with all wheel drive and I like all the techie features. I got a 2017 Impreza Limited with Eyesight because it had a simple touch screen plus a screen on top of the dashboard, in the middle of the windshield, that shows radio info, heat/AC settings, etc. without looking down. Also dashboard warnings when something is turned off or not working because of weather, etc. It also has CarPlay, an app you can use with an iPhone and use voice commands (Siri) for navigation, etc.

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  Ravver4 - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Juanchinchacho - December 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is very good in the city and receives very good gas mileage. It also is a very fun car to drive.

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  I wanted to like this Rav4 2013 - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By chungdu - December 1 - 10:06 am

  I owned a 2006 Rav4 (V6, 4-Wheel) and put 135K miles on it before purchasing my new I-4 Rav4 2013. It’s been a love-hate relationship with the new. I loved the old one. I have 3,500 miles on the 2013, which I purchased on 5/21. Today is 7/24/13. I bought the all-wheel drive and have been getting 28 mph, doing mostly highway/thruway driving. I tend to use ECO for long hauls on interstates, Sport for short bursts up hills, and the regular setting for other times. What I dislike is the odd placement of the ECO and Sport buttons, which must be activated way under the radio and NAV system. It’s hidden, inconvenient, and dangerous. The black bumpers streak terribly when washed.

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  RAV 4 - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By chasby16 - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Have not had any problems so far and the RAV4 was bought in November and already has about 10,000 miles.

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  Nice little SUV, but... - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Mitch - November 28 - 7:40 pm

  Ive had my RAV4 for about a month and really enjoy it. Its fun to drive and the 269hp V6 is really peppy with great acceleration when necessary, like when entering the turnpike. I chose this car because I think Toyota makes a great product (this is my 5th Toyota in 19 years), and reliability is always at the top of my list when choosing a car, as I drive a lot. The engine is louder that in my Camry, although not to the point that its really annoying. I love the dual glove boxes and the below floor storage area. Steering is tight, as I prefer it, and the JBL audio system is great. The brakes are very responsive but need more foot pressure than I had expected. Overall, its a nice, small SUV.

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  Great Buy - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By shaft45 - November 28 - 5:20 am

  This is my first SUV after driving an Accord for years. The horsepower is fantastic as well as the dual zone auto climate control. I have received so many compliments on this car. I got the dark blue exterior with beige leather interior and it is beautiful. The fuel economy so far is about 22-23 mpg in a combo of city and hwy driving and I am still breaking the engine in so expect this to improve a bit.

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  I love this car! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Alicia Gailliot - November 27 - 4:50 pm

  I think the Rav4 is GREAT!!! Fun to drive, comfortable, my first SUV and I am glad that I made the switch!! Always been a Toyota owner and will continue to be!