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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  Could be better - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By jerry - September 28 - 10:03 pm

  I love this SUV. I had a jeep and traded for this for fuel economy. I averaged over 26 mph on a 1000 mile trip. I dont like the excess engine noise when cold. Seats are hard but for a smaller person comfortable. Performance is better than Pontiac gt with 3.8. Some wind noise but have a Lexus also and its quiet. Great steering response in the mountains where I live. Corners not a problem. I got a lifetime drivetrain warranty from the dealer for free as long as he does the service.

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  Rav 4 is fun - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By Rav Guy - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Bought for my wife because small, sits high and easy to drive. I found I like to drive it more than my Cadillac. Will buy another some day. Great vehicle.

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  The Little Toyota That Could. - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By leftofthenormal - September 28 - 10:00 am

  The mext-gen Toyota Rav4 follows suit with the mini-SUV craze. It does its job, and does it well. It looks GREAT inside and out, with traditional Toyota reliability and build quality. The 2.0L I4 is pretty peppy, abeit it has to rev like mad to produce torque when climbing up hills and hard driving. It wasnt meant to race, so that really shouldnt matter. As long as you dont lead-foot it 24/7, its quick to get up and go. With the L package, the car really shines.Gas milage is OK for a car of this size, but its all in how you drive it. Usually gets around 22-24 MPG.

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  Beat Expectations for over 10 years - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By doug ray - September 22 - 12:04 pm

  Very reliable and dependable

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  From CRV to RAV4 and no regrets - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By DenverSLP - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded my 2003 CRV to a 2004 RAV4 for the simple reason that the RAV4 handles a tenfold better than the CRV. I found my CRV to be "trucky", FAR too big for a "compact SUV" and had terrible road noise. I would have ranked CRVs seating comfort a 2 for me...the worthless armrests dug into my sides; the legroom in the front was shy of sufficient for me (at 61). RAV4 changed ALL of that...Im glad I got one!!

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  the best small SUV - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By roberto - September 22 - 2:00 am

  very stylish and economical for a small suv

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  YOu Love it Or you hate it. - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By GEORGES - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have nothing to say about this car ...power is adequate and handling is great....But options are very expensive. Good SUV

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  WOW!!! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Eric - September 19 - 3:36 pm

  With only 500 miles on my new RAV, already I am SO impressed!!! Quality, performance, and fuel economy!!! Coming over from a Chevy Silverado Crew, the quality difference is incredible. I will never go back to US made vehicles... Nice job Toyota!!!

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  Fun to Drive with reservations - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By momof4 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Good: Many trips with family and dog via 3rd row seating. Love the V6. Has great pull into traffic. Lots of room, especially in the cargo. 61k miles in 4 years. Great little basic car. Runs smoothly and well. My paint/finish is holding up well. Negative: Replaced Driving Shaft @dealer =$500. Broken Joint on shaft. Should have a recall on that since it seems to be common that should not happen on a car this new. Interior does seem kind of loud and seats are basic. Dont like the floor mats.(hard to clean) Needs stronger front bumper. Wheel wells also rusting out, would like better coverage on the hubcaps.

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  Mostly Happy with Purchase - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Les - September 18 - 11:43 am

  The snappy appearance and features are nice. The V-6 is powerful at about the same size as the engine in our Highlander. I have read many of the customer reviews and did not see anyone mentioning an engine whine between 35-45 mph. I dont know if this is a problem with having the V-6 and only 2w drive (does the engine need more resistance?).