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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Amazing SUV - 2006 Toyota RAV4
By Winston Chia - May 12 - 12:33 amSUV, Sports car, Practical Hauler, Amazing snow vehicle all wrapped up in one package. That is what the RAV4 Sport does and does very well. Have not had one single problem since I bought it.
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Excellent value for money and dependable - 2009 Toyota RAV4
By Venkatesh Sridharan - April 29 - 6:10 amAfter a quite a bit of research and test driving five vehicles in this class, I choose to buy the fully loaded four cylinder RAV4 Ltd. After driving almost two years and 28,000 miles, I am glad that I bought this vehicle. RAV4 is smooth driving, very responsive, fuel efficient (28 mpg) and almost comfortable. Four cylinder engine is sufficient for highway driving and it feels powerful enough to pass other vehicles. I miss V6 only in cities at stop signal. I4 is bit sluggish in initial pickup. Exterior design is stylish and trendy. But, interior feels cheap. There is no hand-rest and seats are not comfortable for long distance drive. Road noise is annoying while driving on bridges.
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New RAV-4 - Good Investment - 2016 Toyota RAV4
By mike butche - April 28 - 4:47 pmLove the car; ride and transmission are very smooth. Great appearance, nice styling lines. Everything works! Looking forward to many years of driving pleasure. One complaint: The front seat belts are almost impossible to connect. They are so far back into the seat, they have proved to be out of reach. Ive had a RAV-4 in the past, know the comfort belt extenders can provide, need to get some next trip to dealer locale. One concern: The car is endowed with many intimidating electronic options. It will take some time to learn how to use and live easily with them all.
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This is the best car Ive ever owned - 2005 Toyota RAV4
By Maureen - April 28 - 12:13 amI had my little RAV for a little over a year now and love driving her. Im 5 tall and my hubby is 64" and we both can fit in this little SUV. Gas milage, Im getting 30 -31 in town and on the freeway. This RAV 4 is a 5 speed and has the bigger 4 cyl. with plenty of power. I like how the storage is organized and love the hooks for my plastic grocery bags. The smaller size of the 2005 is for me, easy to park!! To drive this car is like driving a small sports car.
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Keys are better! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
By Don Pisegna - April 27 - 3:45 pmI like the use of a key to start the car. Good security feature.
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Great SUV - 2009 Toyota RAV4
By Chuck from NY - April 26 - 10:30 amPurchased this used with 12K miles on it & couldnt be happier. Perfect size for our needs.
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buy it - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By alex2 - April 23 - 10:00 amComfortable, easy to drive with very good handling. Not a speed demon but neither is anyhting else in this class. Great on trips, highways and aroung town. Would highlt recomend.
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1st Time Toyota Buyer - 2002 Toyota RAV4
By toyotamb - April 14 - 2:00 amTraded a 2000 Jeep Wrangler in on this vehicle. Let me say, really impressed with the RAV-4 all around. Nice to get out of a gas hog and into something with better gas mileage. Love the handling, and the 4 cyl. gives my wife and I enough power that we need. Wont win a muscle car contest, but enough to get the job done. I believe that we will become loyal Toyota owners.
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Great Value - 2008 Toyota RAV4
By EdLee - April 10 - 5:00 pmTraded in a GMC Envoy for our RAV4 and couldnt be happier. We looked at CR-V, Rogue, Equinox, and Mariner. After driving the RAV4 there was no comparison. It simply is the best value for the money. I was afraid the RAV4 would be too small compared to the Envoy, but I believe there is actually more room inside the RAV4, and a nicer interior. Ergonomics are great. Good choice for anyone looking at a smaller SUV.
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My Favorite - 2007 Toyota RAV4
By Bird - April 5 - 2:03 pmMy 2007 Toyota RAV4 (6 cyl) continues to amaze me. This my third Japanese vehicle and will probably exceed my expectations in terms of reliability. Toyotas do not break - no expensive repair bills, no frustration. The 2007 RAV4 is destined to be a favorite for decades to come.
