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:

• 

  Uncomfortable Seats - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By DJ - March 20 - 3:40 pm

  The driver seat and the front passenger seat are very uncomfortable. Probably the worst I experienced in a car. The car performs great but I hate to drive it because of the seat.

• 

  Good Choice - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Csejtey - March 20 - 5:13 am

  I compared the RAV4 to the CR-V and Volvo XC70 and the RAV was the right choice for me. The other two cars were too slow and didnt handle as well. Also the Volvo got terrible MPG. Great deals right now on Toyota Leasing too. Drives like a sports sedan buy has a lot of cargo capacity.

• 

  Outstanding condition, features & low, low mileage - 2012 Toyota RAV4
  By t white - March 18 - 10:32 am

  Single driver, excellent condition, very low mileage, Kenwood entertainment center and rear view camera.

• 

  Classy All Around Vehicle - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Jersey Guy - March 13 - 10:30 pm

  After having a 2001 Rav4 with no problems, we decided on a 2005. It handles great, better acceleration and terrific mileage. It drives beautiful in the snow, and the styling is nice. This vehicle is at home at the grocery store, home improvement centers and weddings. It is great for parking and quick trips to the store, and very agile on the highway for the long trips. It is unfortunate the styling changed. The very reasons that made the RAV4 popular have changed. My wife dosent like the new models, and either do I. It is no longer the cute ute. It isnt the compact ute it once was, and the whole reason for buying a RAV.

• 

  Practical Car - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Sophiya - March 11 - 10:56 pm

  I was previously driving one of the very first models of the Rav4 (1997) model. That car was very reliable for 10 years of use. I decided to finally upgrade it to a new 2008 model with more power for my road trips to Tahoe and the snow. I couldnt be more pleased with the model. The v6 engine provides plenty of power and torque. Love the roomy interior design! Sound system is great. I average about 300 miles per tank. Thats a big plus for an SUV of this size.

• 

  Beer Can - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Rav4 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I Bought a base rav4 w 4 cylinder in July and I am shocked at how noisy it is. It is like riding in a beer can on a bucket. This is by far the noisiest vehicle I have ever owned. Vehicle sounds like you are in a constant thunderstorm. They also never sent me a survey of my opinion of my new Rav4, they did however sent me 1 for the Camry I bought the same day. I cant wait to get rid of Rav4. I took it to the dealer because I really thought something was wrong and they said that is the way they are. The brakes grind always, they are weak, you hear every seam, reflector, bump, patch and sound on every kind of road, even on smooth highways. I am beyond disappointed in this vehicle, I am mad.

• 

  RAV4 BASE V6 - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By Bill - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Nice car except for the road noise and slight transaxle whine at lower speeds between 20 to 40 mph. I didnt noticed the sounds till after driving it for a day. The sounds are not deafening buy any means but are more annoying than anything. I suggest you test drive one more than once when making your decision. The V6 is plenty powerful but does have a very slight hesitation when the car is cold. After doing some research I found the transaxle noise apparently has never been properly addressed since 07. I may take it back to the dealer to have it looked at but Im sure theyll tell its normal for this type of vehicle.

• 

  California Rav4 - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By KC - March 8 - 11:53 am

  We own a generation 1 rav4 and have nearly 250,000 miles on it. We have a baby on the way and needed more room for a car seat. We test drove a few other makes and models and ultimately decided to buy a new rav4. I really enjoy the peppy 4cyl engine and the decent gas mileage. I am 61" tall and find the front leg room to be a bit lacking. Also, the new rav4 doesnt brake as well as our old rav4. However, the new rav4 turns easier and maneuvers better. I miss being able to park in the tiniest spaces, but hey now we have room for a stroller, groceries, and a car seat. I would recommend a 2009 rav4 to anyone looking for a small SUV that is lots of fun to drive.

• 

  Buy Cheap, Buy Often - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By JHol - March 6 - 1:00 pm

  The old saying goes, "Buy cheap, buy often." I purchased this car less than a month ago with Toyota in mind of having a reputation for reliability that is second to none in the industry. That was the main reason for looking at Toyota, even with the whole recall mess. I verified my model 2009 with vin starting with "J" was not part of the recent recall. We took the car on a road trip and got amazing gas mileage. I have the 4-cyl model and it was perfect. Plenty of room and even more incredible is the seats in back are adjustable and will slide back to maximize leg room. Great idea Toyota! Love the car!

• 

  Best Redesign Toyota could have done! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By l in nj - March 5 - 2:16 am

  Love my 06 Rav4 LTD. Made a 10 time Camry buyer never want to drive a car again. Comfortable, smooth, roomy, great in snow and 4wd cant be beat. Quiet and reliable as all Toyotas are. Room for storage is great. Will never switch to anything but a Toyota SUV. Thought Camry was the greatest car in the world but the RAV4 put its baby sister to shame. Only complaint I have. Buy one an see for yourself.