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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best in class - 2006 Toyota RAV4
By best in class - August 26 - 10:50 amWhat a rocket @ $10K les than BMW/LEXUS. Colossal inside storage w/nifty nooks in sides and under floor. Great visability and driveability. Took it Xcountry west to northeast with 2000lbs of college gear.Averaged 26-27 mpg @ 80mph on interstates. Passed semis in a wink, blasting up to 100mph by end of pass. A very stable and safe platform. Luv it.
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OK Cute Ute - 2007 Toyota RAV4
By verdi - August 25 - 3:40 amI bought the RAV4 for the deal. Its a very solidly built, peppy little SUV with decent (not great) mpg, easy handling and pretty good looks. The drivetrain and ride lack refinement. Toyotas been building these 4cyls and 4 speeds for years and they should be a lot smoother.
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2006PacificBlueRav4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
By ToyotaOwner98366 - August 23 - 5:00 pmWe have the 3.5L V6 and it is almost insane how fast this SUV goes. Another remarkable point is this SUV gets 30MPG which nothing else we looked at is even close. The interior design is layed out nicely, has plenty of room and is very comfortable even for my 68" friend.
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Potter 2007 Rav4 Limited 2WD - 2007 Toyota RAV4
By potter05 - August 23 - 5:03 amI had been driving a Toyota Avalon, the flagship of the Toyota line for several years. I needed a vehicle with more "utility" value. I researched the RAV4 on Edmunds as well as Consumer Reports websites. After an extensive test drive I purchased the RAV4. I am still pleasantly surprised and delighted every time I drive this larger and more powerful RAV4. The suspension is firm yet very comfortable, road noise is at a minimum, the steering is much more accurate than the Avalon, and the fit and finish is flawless, much like Toyotas Lexus products.
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Great Deal, Seamless Purchasing Process - 2015 Toyota RAV4
By Lucy47 - August 20 - 5:02 pmAfter reviewing competitive pricing online for Toyota RAV4s for cost perspective, we visited this dealer with our wish list and were immediately taken to a spotless 2015 RAV4 with unbelievably low mileage. We would describe the car as "barely driven". Anticipating a high price tag for this almost new car, we were very pleasantly surprised at the asking price. We did not hesitate to secure the deal. Our salesman knew his inventory. After listening to our requirements, he understood our needs and simplified the process by offering 2 possible vehicles that would meet our specifications. What we thought would be a stressful search for a "new" car turned out to be anything but stressful. Steve Skolnick, our salesman, was happy and we were happy after a short transaction. We love the car and our pleasant sales experience!
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RAV4 SPORT, awesome value, just a glitch - 2010 Toyota RAV4
By gar7 - August 20 - 12:54 amCheck engine light issue, will be covered by warranty. Excellent ride and handling for the SPORT model ! Does exactly what it says it will !! Handles corners well, hugs the road and toes not tilt in the curves.
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Love my Rav 4 Sport - 2009 Toyota RAV4
By SteveB - August 19 - 7:56 pmOnly had this thing a few weeks now, and it is awesome. Traded in an 07 Highlander which I also loved, except for its interior finish. After 2 tanks of gas I am averaging about 26 mpg with mixed highway and city driving in the RAV. Gas mileage going down the interstate is best when I cruise at 65-70 mph. To me and my wife there was not a huge difference between the 4 and 6 cylinder models performance and as such we did not want to fork over the extra cash. The interior on the Sport is far nicer than the base model for not much more money. The only thing I wouldnt mind having is the 4x4 as our Highlander was AWD and that worked great in bad weather. Overall very happy with the RAV.
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Really pleased - 2010 Toyota RAV4
By AndrewE - August 14 - 6:46 amTest drove this and Subaru Forester. Rav4 was miles ahead in comfort. Dealer was easy to work with and lease deal was better than any competition. Have driven 5000 mi. 3 things stand out to me a) it has good pickup for a 4 cyl, and corners really well. b) I am getting @28 mpg on average, not just highway, on some long trips I get 30. c) cabin features are real nice; decent stereo, lots of ergonomic storage. Biggest negative is high road noise at higher speeds. Changing out the OEM tires is probably first place to start. second negative is how many times Toyota keeps contacting me to ask about my experience(@ 20 emails and 2-3 phone calls). They should just focus on building cars.
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Love this car - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By lo - August 14 - 4:43 amI have always wanted one and when I got rid of my echo I decided to go ahead and buy a rav4. I am 56 and I love it. The inside is roomy the radio does sound like its wheezing when the ipod is hooked up but oh well. I love this car and wouldnt trade it for anything. The lights in the trunk dont bother me and my seats do fold completely flat.
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Not up to date - 2009 Toyota RAV4
By pipesmoker - August 12 - 1:00 amI have to say that I am more than pleased with the RAV4. I think the V- 6 is a little much for the transmission. At times is shifting his rough. This was the first time I have had a Toyota in 15 years. At that time I had a truck with 135,000 miles on it. I recommend to people as a good buy for its price.
