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 overall transportation - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Charles - April 10 - 12:27 am

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  Excellent - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Carlos - April 9 - 9:30 pm

  Nothing to complain.

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  Gas mileage is still same as like 2013 - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Janga Rai - April 7 - 12:08 pm

  They must check gas mileage which is 22 by 29 like 2013 and features of a car.

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  Satisfied Customer - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By Toyota Woman - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Reliability, a good engine, fun to drive - I love my 1999 RAV4. Other than somewhat uncomfortable front bucket seats which slope downward and a headrest that pushes fwd, mechanically it behaves and has surprising surge power on the highway, when you press the power button.

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  Great Ride - 1998 Toyota RAV4
  By hallbltmr - April 5 - 10:00 am

  This was the fourth vehicle I have purchased and by far the best. It has the best gas mileage out of all SUVs and thats real important for me especially now with the high gas prices. I would recommend anybody that is looking to buy/lease a SUV to really consider the RAV4. I know when I replace mine it will definitely be with a new model of it.

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  2013 toyota rav4 breakdown along highway - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By nana35 - April 5 - 3:09 am

  bought new on 4/22...with only 500 miles on the odometer,car quit running while i was driving down the highway...felt like engine was revving up but car was not shifting into higher gear properly..freaked me out! had it towed to dealership and am waiting on a diagnosis...i am bitterly disappointed and wish i had bought a ford escape....NOTHING should go wrong with a vehicle that has only been driven 500 miles! now im stuck with a car that i will NEVER feel secure in.

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  A Surprise Decision - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Surprised and Happy - March 31 - 11:03 pm

  My BMW 330i was fun, solid and hugely expensive to maintain. I researched many options and while looking at an FJ Cruiser, the salesperson suggested a RAV4. I was surprised at the V6 performance and handling was also unexpected. I loaded it up and chose the Limited because of the heated leather seats.The outside spare was not an issue because I was looking at an FJ. The center dash stack is space ship like and the gauges dont all read top of dial for normal. Im 6ft 3in. and I can wear a cap with the sunroof. This is a very comfortable car with deceptive interior room and storage space, and it is kinda fun to drive. Got the extended warranty and waved good bye to $1000 repairs.

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  Your clothes will get dirty - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob R. - March 31 - 1:23 pm

  The front doors dont seal properly hence theres always dirt, mud, or grime that builds ups along the bottom edge of both front doors. This continual dirt of course gets on your clothes whenever you get in or out. After working extensively with Toyota (learned this is a common design flaw with other Toyotas to), they offered NO solution. Anyone who spends good money on their wardrobe should take heed and look for something else to drive, unless they dont care about their clothes. Because of this terribly annoying design flaw, weve only put 1,700 on it after owning it six months. Its not the car keys we grab first. Instead its only a car for when my spouse is using our other vehicle that happens to be a 1999 Dodge van. To think I wasted this much money on a car we hate to drive is the ultimate in buyers remorse.

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  Its Ravulous - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Camille Saccente - March 23 - 12:40 am

  I love to drive my Rav4. Fortunately, having a manual transmission helps with giving me that extra pick up when I need it and it helps me get excellent gas mileage. My Rav4 averages between 25-30 MPG in mixed driving situations. The only issue I had was with a computer chip that, once corrected, has not given me any more trouble. Although at times I have considered getting a new car, Im having a hard time giving up a vehicle that has been so good to me. I wouldnt be surprised if its still running after 200,000 miles. It has 80,000 miles already and still feels like a new car.

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  Uglee tires - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By grumpy guy - March 22 - 1:06 am

  This vehicle justified our reasons for purchasing. It performs decently in off road situations, has good clearance, mileage has been 22 city, 27 highway, exceeding expectations. Did not expect the rattles from Toyota. Did not expect the tires to be bald at 30,000 miles. Discovered Yokohama tires are crap. Am surprised Toyotas famed quality experts chose this particular tire. We knew we were sacrificing a soft ride to get limited off road capabilities. We like the spare tire where it is. Like the rear side opening door. Anybody who thinks differently should buy a danged van.