Overview & Reviews

The Toyota RAV4 carries over unchanged for 2008.

• Superb power and fuel economy for optional V6, balanced ride and handling, roomy second row, low cargo floor, solid construction.

• Interior has a budget feel, side-hinged rear gate impedes curbside loading, driver seat a tight fit for tall drivers.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 133.00

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  Great concept but weak execution. - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By PGS031 - June 15 - 1:03 pm

  Failed on some basics: seats: too short, feels like stadium bench; angle of headrest horrible. Dash controls: paid designer too much; should hire an ergonomics engineer. Dash lighting and visibility - poorly lit & cant see some displays when wearing polarized sunglasses. Center and door arm rests too low. Throttle: peppy after lag, way too touchy, use more of the travel. 4x4 lock: this is an SUV, I want to control when it is 4x4 not have it automatically switch out at 25 mph. Rear bumper: add textures top for "stepping surface". "Premium" radio: whine w/ MP3; sound quality not very impressive. Window lock: driver cant open windows when lock is engaged. Strange clunk in back end.

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  Reconsidering It - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Ray - November 20 - 3:46 pm

  My first complaint is the interior. Really cheap looking. Other comparable models like the CR-V have much nicer interior. Toyota really lacks technology in their interiors. Cargo area lighting is so terrible! Why put the light on the door which is going to be open? Furthermore, door opens to curbside! Why? Im only 57 and I sit with the seat all the way back, and that is already tight for me. if youre tall, definitely dont get a Toyota. They for some reason only have enough room for people my height. Radio antenna is cheap also. Unscrews easily which causes radio static. MPG not as good as advertised.

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  Heater awful but nice car otherwise - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By dczim - September 27 - 12:13 am

  If you want to stay warm in winter while riding in the second or third row seat, I suggest buying another vehicle. Other than that, the RAV 4 is a great little car -- especially with the V6. Ive had the dealership tear the vehicle down looking for the reason why there is no heat coming from the ducts in the second and third row seats. Their final verdict -- verified by Toyotas engineers -- the system is functioning as designed. Since I live in Wisconsin, going with a marginal heater is not an option. Toyotas suggestion -- trade it in for something that has heat but I take the loss on the vehicle -- about a $3-4K hit. Pretty rotten on Toyotas part but they know I have no choice.

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  Great with a few reservations - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By dennism - April 2 - 9:40 am

  Ive had my RAV4 for about 4 months and I like it a lot. The 4 cyl engine is amazing and the braking is the best Ive ever had in a car. There are a lot of little extras which are nice. I have only two real complaints. The seat, while having a good lumbar support are quite uncomfortable. If you test drive be aware. The mileage is somewhat under the estimated mileage. My mixed city-highway is running between 18-21 mpg. Last, they should have had some heavy duty cover on the back bumper. It can easily get roughed up as you put things in the rear. They offer a little plastic cover, but it does not cover the critical area. This may have been fixed in the 2009 model. Great car-bad seats

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  Upholstery problems - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By sewsue - March 3 - 2:16 pm

  Purchased this 08 base RAV at the end of October. Its now 7 months old and this is an update to an earlier post. The front upholstery continues to pill and fuzz and just look really, really bad. The back seats are fine since they are hardly used. I have an 8 year old car that looks better inside than this one. It took a certified letter to Toyota for Toyota to tell my dealer they would help them solve the problem. Theyve offered custom seat covers, but that was over a month ago and Im still waiting to see if they match the rest of the interior. Wish I didnt like the handling and pep so much - it would be much easier to just get rid of the RAV.

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  2008 RAV4 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By jb - December 7 - 12:23 pm

  I just got married and wanted something slightly bigger than a sedan (previous car was a 1994 Accord coupe). We test drove the Rogue, CR-V, Tucson, Vibe, and RAV4. We wanted something that was versatile, reliable, and gets good mileage. The 4-cyl gives good acceleration, but can be noisy. Leg room is good enough (Im 61"). We live in a snowy climate but dont need the AWD. Very happy so far, would buy again.

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  Good and not good points - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By DonH - November 11 - 5:26 pm

  First of all the bad. Road noise on this car is excessive and the ride is not good. I wasted money by putting the premium sound system in it. Unless its parked you cant hear it very well. Ive had trucks made in the 80s that had a comparable ride. You feel and hear every bump. I see that the 2009 reviews noted similar issues. Its a car thats used by my wife and the interior carpet looks like its 5 years old. There is no reason for it except for very poor quality. The seats are not very comfortable. The good is that mechanically its a very good vehicle. Thats mainly why we bought it. Just make sure you can live with the other issues. Maybe the Limited version has better sound proofing.

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  It is what it is - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By jsandy1 - May 29 - 6:50 am

  Pros: lots of power; fun to drive; shiftronic transmission; roomy interior; excellent AC; great JBL stereo-the bluetooth feature is excellent; very good gas mileage so far; good quality leather interior. Rear reclining seats on an adjustable track. Moonroof is a nice feature. Cons: center console needs to he higher for use as an armrest; no AC blower control on steering wheel; clock hard to see; trip computer is very mediocre-need to improve; Home Link should be offered at least as an option. Cargo net in rear is cumbersome.

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  Not Happy - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Carlos - March 27 - 8:10 am

  Just bought my Rav-4 and am already not happy. I have been getting some back pains since buying the car. Test drove a couple of small SUVs because wanted to downsize and at the dealership this was great, but have started to have problems with the back hurting, no place to put change with out it ringing all the time, push button dash area stinks because everything I put in it slides and bangs, car bounces more than I like on highway, and cargo area light is a joke. My SUV also does not ding when the lights are left on, I plan to check when I go in for my first service.

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  Good and Bad - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Sal - March 22 - 3:33 am

  This seems to be a good car. My wife has a 2008 CRV and I naturally compare the 2. CRV has a nicer interior, but not as comfortable. The CRV is a higher trim level. CRV has better pick up and, so far, better fuel mileage. RAV4 is easy to get in an out of, has a lower lift to load back, easier folding seats, looks more manly and has better visibility. The cruise stalk is terrible, in the way. 2001 Escort was on the wheel, why cant a 2008 RAV4?. Doors should look when you put in gear. This is more of a runaround then a fall in love vehicle.