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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  Real World Gas Mileage - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By chuck - March 28 - 1:00 am

  Heres some "real world" mileage figures: Brand new 2009 V6 Limited 4X4....took it on a trip to New Mexico and Arizona starting in Minnesota. 4,498 miles....22.6 miles per gallon. 70-80 miles per hour on freeways plus city driving, lots of baggage. There ya go.

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  Nice - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By John - March 25 - 12:00 pm

  I have to say that I am very pleased with this vehicle. I am 6ft 2in and fit comfortably with plenty of leg and head room. The vehicle offers a quiet, smooth ride with minimal engine noise. I have read the digs that it is noisy, the engine is weak etc. Baloney. The RAV4 performs admirably when compared to most any vehicle in its class. And I have compared about 6 of its competitors. My combined mileage with less than 1000 miles, 2/3 highway and 1/3 city is 28.2. No kidding. I am pretty conservative-but this purchase was all about comfort, style, reliability, and mileage. I have them all.

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  Best car Ive owned so far......... - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Free_rider78 - March 23 - 1:33 am

  I love it! I hope to have it for many years to come......

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  Low beam headlights - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Ann Dee jackson - March 22 - 8:35 am

  Am I the only one who has a problem with the headlights? I cant see the road with the low beam headlights on. Its really dangerous. Complained to the dealer and they didnt want to hear it.

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  Really good, nearly great. - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By riderj - March 21 - 10:44 pm

  I have had my 2013 RAV4 for nearly a month now. It has several personalities: sporty (sport mode), spot-on (regular mode), and mild-mannered (econ mode). I have found it really valuable to have all three modes available to me and there are distinct differences between the modes. The car is quiet, easy to drive and park, and it is rather nimble. I have no problem reaching the advertised mpg if I am light on the pedal, and or use econ mode. It is a bumpy ride though, and some of the controls are difficult to reach. Overall, this vehicle is much more fun to drive than the Honda CRX, and has a better transmission.

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  Disappointing - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By R88 - March 20 - 7:13 pm

  The climate control display and radio displays are awful. You can barely see them in regular light but in sunlight they are impossible. It would have been so simple for Toyota to use the same type of display for these items as the odometer. The rear window is fixed and the rear door is heavy and opens to the side. Mileage is terrible.

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  Great little SUV!!! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Dave - March 19 - 3:36 am

  This is our 3rd Toyota and I hope this is half as good as our other ones! (2000 4Runner and 2000 Camry). So far we have had the Rav4 about 2 weeks now and it hasnt disappointed us in any way! The V6 is like a rocket. Just a little gas and you are gone! For such a peppy V6 the gas mileage is surprising good. The ride is comfortable and car like. This is my wifes vehicle and she loves to drive it! She didnt want anything too big to drive but she also wanted a large cargo area. The Rav4 nailed it. I hope others enjoy their Rav4 as much as we are enjoying ours so far. Great job Toyota. You did it AGAIN!

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  Never again will I buy a RAV4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By mommao - March 16 - 12:55 pm

  I bought a Toyota because of the reputation of reliability. This was my first brand new car, I took care of it especially because I wanted to hand it down to my daughter (just like the commercial right?). Unfotunately, Im not even done paying it off and it needs a new engine. Soon after I bought it I realized I had made a mistake, but it was little things that bothered me, I felt I didnt get much for the price I paid, and it wasnt all that great on gas. Now with the engine going, I am extremely unhappy with my purchase and most likely will never buy another Toyota.

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  Best compact SUV - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Marc Leaderman - March 12 - 2:00 am

  If you want a speed/handling, car-based SUV with very good fuel-economy and the very best drivers seat-comfort/support, the newer-model-year RAV4 is far ahead of the rest of em. Toyota has a penchant for the best and the brightest cars/SUVs and trucks. This one again makes its nearest competitors, Fords Escape/Mazdas Tribute into also-rans.

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  2004 Base 4WD RAV4 5 Speed - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By BrianBiker - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the RAV4 for my wife because she liked the looks and we have had good experiences with Toyotas. I would have preferred an Element, but she hated the appearance. Anyway, now that we have it, it is growing on me. It is somewhat underpowered, even with the new 2.4L, so if you drive quickly, avoid the automatic, as it will be constantly downshifting, which is very noisy. With a 5 speed it is O.K. Handling is also O.K., it seems a little less precise than a 2003, although that is from memory. Steering and pedals all have a very light feel. But reasonably enjoyable to drive, especially for an SUV.