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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  Chose Rav4 XLE over 8 others tested - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Russell - March 16 - 3:44 am

  The Rav4 xle had the best interior and smoothest ride. Also had the most cargo area. Loved that leather wrapped steering wheel, too. (much better feel than all the other cars) Also more head and foot room in back seats. You can also adjust back seats. Tested Honda Crv, nissan rogue, ford escape, mazda cx-5, kia sportage and others.

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  Love this car - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By jmg - March 16 - 1:03 am

  I am 4 11" short, and was driving my husbands Solara 2 door coupe for 2 years. I couldnt see over the hood, out the back window, or on the sides. I wanted a car I could see out of, park, and back up without hitting every curb in sight. I never thought I could drive an SUV. I absolutely love this car. I can get in and out of it easily; I can see everything from my high perch, and it handles beautifully. I also care for my husband and father, both of whom are in wheelchairs. The back storage space is great for the wheelchairs and walkers.

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  GREAT car!!! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Ashley - March 14 - 2:40 pm

  I love this car completely. I had a Toyota before and they are great. This car drives smooth and is fun to drive. Good gas mileage so far, should only get better. The stereo is great. All around great car.

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  Rocket Sled !! - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Tom - March 10 - 10:43 am

  I have both the Rav2003 and 2005, the 2005 has the new 2.4 engine and it really rocks. This SUV its really fun to drive. Soo nimble!

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  I love my Rav4! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By SMK - March 7 - 1:16 am

  I debated between the Rav4, the Honda CRV, and the Kia Soul. All three were similar with regards to safety, but there were a just a couple of things about the Rav4 that edged it out over the CRV and Kia Soul with regards to safety. They were minor, but for me they mattered. I will state that prior to purchasing the Rav4, I had been driving a Toyota Sienna mini van for ten years (another GREAT vehicle!), so I was a little more Toyota aimed anyway. Regardless, I test drove all the vehicles. I did really like the Kia Soul, but at the time I had three cats and one dog, and I was soon going to be moving almost 700 miles away, so I needed a vehicle with the storage enough in the back for four animals. The Soul has a roomy storage space, but the Rav4 is bigger with regards to storage. That storage space is probably what edged the Rav4 out over the Kia Soul. The Honda CRV is another great car, but they are pricier. The Rav4 had the space I needed, and the price I wanted, as well it was a Toyota product which I had become accustomed to driving. The car is comfortable, and transported myself and my four animals during the move comfortably. It is peppy and fun! Big enough that I dont feel swallowed by larger cars on the road, but small enough that I dont feel like I am taking up the road when I drive it. What would I change? Not much. I would prefer if the air conditioner had vents in the back and front. My vehicle only has A/C vents in the front. As well, Toyota has a thing about creating vents that cant be fully closed. This is an issue when someone up front is cold. So I would prefer if the side vents could close for passengers. However, this is a minor issue as typically I am the only individual in the car. Also, my particular model does not have electronic controls for adjusting the seat. I was quite surprised by this. That I would change, as it makes adjusting the seat a bit easier if the controls are electronic. As with my previous Toyota Sienna, the drivers window has an "auto" control on the window, so all you have to do is tap it and it rolls itself down by itself. With my Sienna, you could also use the "Auto" switch to allow the window to raise itself. My Rav4 does not have the "Auto" ability to raise the window. I would change that. These are the only things I would change, and they are extremely minor. They do not detract from my enjoyment of the car. Nor do they detract from the vehicles performance. Given that my vehicle is two years old some of these things might have been changed already. I would recommend a Rav4 to anyone who asked about it, and have done so. I love my 2015 Rav4!

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  1999 Toyota RAV4 AWD - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By Washjunior - March 5 - 1:03 pm

  Purchased this car from a private person. Ive had the car for almost 1 year and put 14k on it. Its a great car. Fantastic in the snow...the best car Ive ever had in bad conditions (and I live in the western NY snow belt). I literally have done nothing other than oil changes. Storage capacity is really nice. Overall, GREAT CAR that I would recommend highly to anyone!

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  Way better than expected - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Gcarlsbad - February 28 - 2:20 pm

  New Rav4s are almost the same size as 2nd gen 4runners, and the V6 engine is fantastic, 10 more horsepower than my bosses BMW X3! I got 4wd and had no problem driving through snow to go skiing. The interior is pretty nice, the seats fold easily and it is easy to get my surfboard or a bike in the back. I think it looks great in the Sport edition and in general am very pleased after 2000 miles and one west coast road trip. It looks and feels like a much more expensive vehicle. I had a small car before this, though, it hurts at the pump. My MPG are around 21. In general, I dont care what Kanye West has to say about RAV4s, I love mine.

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  awesome - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By scott - February 27 - 11:23 pm

  awesome power ride and dependability awesome vehicle awesome vehicle so comfortable and easy to drive with awesome power and response just an awesome vehicle

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  My RAV4 - its a BLAST! - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By ajf - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle - its a blast to drive and an interesting style. Very comfortable and lots of space for the kids and their hockey & soccer equipment. Were constantly running around from event to event, the trunk space is great and larger than most people think for a small SUV. It rides well and has great features - lots of nooks and crannies to store things

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  Its All Grown Up... - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Jorge - February 20 - 12:20 pm

  The new RAV4 delivers on its promises. The slight increase in length translates into huge increases in cabin space. The ride on the Sport trim is smooth and comes standard with a lot of detail-oriented amenities that make it worth the additional price.