Overview & Reviews

Completely redesigned, RAV4 grows in size and gets a more powerful engine, along with edgy new styling.

• More room, more power, improved styling, whiplash injury-lessening seats.

• No V6 engine option, engine makes power too high in rev range, most desired equipment is optional.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 68.00

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  2001 RAV4L 2WD - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Jeff Adkins - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun Ive had with a Toyota. Perfect vehicle for active D.I.N.K.s (dual income no kids) with dogs, and weekend home projects. Put new All Terrain tires on it. Now we are really going to have fun.

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  A fun car - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By ToyRaver - September 12 - 11:23 am

  I have the AWD L edition. Ive had this car for 5 yrs already and have 52k mi. Its a nimble car, pretty good ride and pretty good looking. The only problems I find are the low 17 mpg avg in NYC, very noisy in fast traffic and the brakes. It has very good handling. Worked great in the snow, but then again we rarely get snow here. Weve been using Amsoil synthetic in the engine and the gears. Overall its a great car to have w/ the main exception of the poor mileage. Ive already had the 02 check engine light and the charcoal canister engine light too. For now, I had the comp upgrade, still waiting on my 02/cata conver disaster known for 01s.

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  Old Reliable - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By JBG - July 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Rav for a little over a year. While its very easy to drive, it lacks power and handling. Its size is adequate, and its easy to park in smaller spaces thanks to the short front end. Im not too crazy about the exterior design. While its an improvement over the original body style, its a little too "cutesie" for me. Its almost like a station wagon on steroids. Anyway, overall, its roomy enough to be comfortable on long trips, and for the price, its a dependable little car.

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  Cant Say Enough - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By DPH - July 9 - 6:50 am

  This has been just a great little car - I still have fun driving it. Even on trips it has provided plenty of comfort, partly because there is so much leg and head room. I cant complain that it lacks power; what would one expect from a 4-cylinder SUV? Snow and up-hill driveway is an issue where we live, and with studded snow tires, this is a little army tank!

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  Till death do we part - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By duncan16 - July 3 - 6:28 am

  Full-time 4x4 gives you traction all the time and you get a combined mpg of 25, that is amazing. I actually am a car moder (that means I modify my cars so they arent stock). I suggest that if you want to change anything about this car it would be; get Yokohama AT/S tires for the best all around traction no matter the surface and the tires will last you forever, get performance intakes and filters to help with higher rpm performance. Those are very basic, if you are looking for anything better I suggest you go to RAV4world.

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  Still Crazy (about it) after 6 yrs. - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Jeffty - June 8 - 6:20 am

  Totally dependable, solid and always fun and economical to drive. 4-cyl. w/5-speed manual likes to rev high and zoom along. Zippier than youd imagine, very stable manuvering and braking. I get an average of 27 mpg combined and up to 31 mpg on a long, slow trip. Original Toyo tires were unspectacular but a set of Michelins made a real improvement especially in the wet. The quartet of engine sensors were a bit troublesome, three already replaced before 70k miles. Now at 100k miles it still feels solid and fun to drive. I plan on keeping this one for the duration and I feel pretty optimistic about a good,long life for this one. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Great, fun car to drive! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Isela - April 4 - 6:53 am

  Ive had my Rav 4 for almost 5 years. Im about to go over the 100K mile mark and its been doing great. The only downside is that the 2001 model has something wrong with the Oxygen sensor software. I had it fail on me around 65K miles and again at about 82K. It was covered under warranty both times and is around an $80 fix for the next time it comes down the line. Not really a big problem, but it makes the check engine light go off.

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  7 1/2 years and still going - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By SuMac - February 20 - 4:53 am

  Bought my RAV4L in Nov 2000. She has over 110,000 miles now and still going strong. I have only done regular maintenance. The only thing that has failed is the passenger power lock is not working (which could be related to the add-on car starter/door opener package I had put on). Called today to see about a "timing belt" change (since Ive never done that and everyone said I should) -- only to find out that once again, Toyota has outdone themselves and the timing CHAIN never needs replacing. So shes getting a tuneup next week. Ive had her detailed 2 times and both times she looks like a brand new car afterward. I hope to see 300,000 miles on this one! Gas mileage: 27 / 29.

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  Great.. until 2/2010 - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By msquickwit - October 16 - 12:10 pm

  I have to say- other than oil changes and tire rotations- the usual stuff; I have never had any major expenses (5 years- second owner). BUT In Feb 2010 I did have to spend 1700 on a new brain and O2 sensor and battery. Now, it is in the shop again- sounding and feeling like a helicopter. So I have to give my old girl credit for 5 years (got her 2005) she has been an angel. Now she is being a bit greedy-but it is long over due. IF I have to buy a new car- I would get a RAV 4 again or maybe a highlander- little bit bigger and those are now HYBRID.

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  Too many problems - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By blondie - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car loaded in August of 2001 for $24,000, currently have 13,000 miles. Have had it in the shop three times. Rear brakes replaced twice, fuel gauge and sending unit replaced. Now have brake problem in front and have problems with the CD player going into error mode. I am not happy with this car at all. Car is now starting to develop rattles. Poor power, fair gas mileage and a bit noisy. Ive owned Toyotas, Hondas and Mazadas, this car is the worst by far.