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 SUV! A Must Buy!! - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Kim - November 27 - 8:56 pm

  Ive had my 2008 Limited Rav 4 for 1 month and I just love it! I went from a 4 Runner to a Rav 4 because I decided that I didnt need as much room for my future purchase of a car. I also wanted a vehicle that had better gas mileage. So far, I get about 22-24 miles/gallon. Thats great compared to my 15-17 in my 4-Runner. I love the way the Rav 4 drives (its smooth and very fast) and I like the amenities (heated seats, bluetooth, tire indicator, temperature view, auto seat up and down control, etc). Moreover, I like the design of the dashboard. Its innovative. I encourage you to buy the Rav 4 Limited. You wont regret it.

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  Very Unhappy - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Upset - November 27 - 7:40 am

  The vehicle has less than 3,500 miles and already needs a new camshaft. Its been in the dealership for 3 weeks and still has not been repaired. They are working on it.Dealership keeps telling me it will be soon.Ive contacted Toyota Motor Company and they have been ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. Once its repaired I will always have concerns about the reliability. I would never recommend buying this vehicle.

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  Very Happy w/black RAV4 Limited! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By John - November 26 - 9:00 am

  Its mainly for my wife, who loves it! We wanted at least one vehicle w/AWD for bad weather. For the money, we feel we have a lot of options and quality... tinted windows, fog lights, dual air, all the latest safety from airbags to traction control, controls on the wheel, iPod connection, power sunroof, etc. It looks great and the interior feels good, Toyota got it right with this model.

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  2012 Toyota RAV4 Sport is best car I ever owned - 2012 Toyota RAV4
  By Bigjonlsmo - November 24 - 7:01 pm

  Five years and its still a winner. Good ride and handling. Outstanding acceleration and braking. Came with run-flat tires and I replaced them at 50,000 miles. Never had any problems or dealer issues. Would buy again except V6 is not available any longer. Only complaints are lower-than-expected gas mileage and too-small fuel tank.

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  Rav4 - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Glenn Sostak - November 23 - 11:06 am

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  Buy it -- youll like it! - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By RAVingit - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I loved my two Honda Civics -- that is, until I purchased the RAV4. A friend purchased a Lexus RX300 and, after enjoying rides in her luxury SUV, I decided I wanted one of my very own. So I purchased the affordable one - RAV4!! Believe it or not, the RAV4 L package even looks like the RX300 from the outside. I like a small car, so I was looking for a vehicle that drove like a small car but had the convenience of an SUV. The ride, quality and design of the RAV is everything I imagined! It zips in and out of traffic and is extremely fun to drive. The visibility is great -- I cant imagine driving a car again!

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Dave - November 22 - 2:16 am

  After 3,500 I am amending my review, and I now regret my purchase. Recall issues aside, I have a Denso pedal and my car is not on the list, I am beginning to think that Toyotas quality problems are not limited to the recalled parts. The transmission shifts abruptly at low speed, my drivers door handle sticks, my breaks squeak, rough idle, and my gas mileage stinks (best 23.5 on the highway at speed limit). When I was at Toyota for a recall inspection, I told the service manager and he replied, "Try putting premium gas in," which the owners manual says not to do. I paid too much money to be driving a vehicle reminiscent of a Ford.

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  Watch out for the VVTi oil line - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By genkuro - November 18 - 1:53 am

  Coming soon to a recall near you: the external VVTi rubber hose of the 3.5L engine fails spraying quarts of oil all throughout the engine compartment. This is a very common problem in Toyotas 3.5L lineup and potentially affects Avalon, Camry, and Rav4. Engine seizures are a possibility. Toyota has redesigned this rubber hose as a steel hose for 2009 models but hasnt done much of anything for current 2006, 2007, and 2008 owners. This line broke at 45,000 miles for me. For other owners, it broke outside of the power train warranty. Many Rav4s have needed short block replacement due to this defect.

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  Perfect SUV - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Pat C. - November 17 - 1:50 pm

  This is my 4th Toyota and its my favorite. The height of an SUV yet small enough to drive like a car really appealed to me. Has excellent handling, great gas mileage, and is just a pleasure to drive. Owned just for 7 months and already put 12000 miles on it - makes you want to travel! Lots of storage space between fold-down back seats and rear area.

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  Cant recommend 2010 4cyl RAVs - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By cwerb - November 16 - 11:36 pm

  This is my second RAV4, bought just before recall. It is in no way the same car as my 2003, which had a superior sound system, a quieter engine, and a boxier shape I preferred. Before the news of the recall broke the first impression I had driving this was that Toyota had cut corners since 03. The annoyingly loud drone of the 4cyl at low revs makes it sound like the car is not warmed up/struggling, thought thats not the case. It handles well and the interior is far superior to other compact SUVs in the class I tested, including CR-V, Mazda Tribute, Hyundai Tuscon, Mercury Mariner and VW Tiguan. Toyota is buying mine back, but I may go for 6cyl as other SUVs in class a large disappointment