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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  Love it! - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By spottyd - January 9 - 10:00 am

  This is is my first Toyota and I LOVE it! Love the looks, the interior, the size ... I only wish it had a bit more passing power and side airbags!!! Would definitely buy one again!

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  Fun and Versatile RAV4 Limited V6 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By hkwilson1977 - December 29 - 9:16 am

  We bought the RAV4 right before Labor Day weekend. Its one of the best cars Ive owned, so far. The V6 is extremely powerful. When you really punch it, it can feel almost dangerous due to the torque, so be careful! :) Gas mileage is averaging about 22 mpg. Overall, this is an awesome vehicle for our family of 5. No regrets, I would definitely buy one again!

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  So far so good - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By Cinnamonstik - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I only mine yesterday however I did months of research before deciding on this one. It was a close race between this and the Chevy Equinox. I bought the RAV4 for a couple reasons over the Chevy: 1. The Equinox wasnt available in the V-6 unless I ordered one. Being a bigger SUV, I felt I would need the 6 vs the 4. 2. Although a little smaller than the Equinox, the RAV4 is the perfect size for me. Pros: 1. I love the individually heated seats. Very cool. 2. The built in Nav is great. No more hassling with my Garmin. 3. The fog lights made it even cooler. 4. Turns on a dime. Cons: 1. The dealer told me it was bluetooth equipped. It wasnt but Im making them install it.

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  Great car - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Mike - December 17 - 5:50 pm

  Bought Base V6 AWD on 11/4/06. Driving every day on Route 17 (who lives in NJ knows what does it mean) - pretty much city driving. Today filled 1st time. Exactly 21 mph - first time see the same number as on sticker (usually EPA number is 20-25% better then reality). Great ride, acceleration, suspension, standard radio sound quality and reception. Not much blind zones. All controls are so easy you dont need to read a manual. Seats are very supportive. Turning circle is excellent.

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  Fun to drive - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Pat Sebastian - December 13 - 4:09 am

  Very peppy car with a V6 comfortable and dependable

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  First Toyota... - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Bullyu - December 12 - 3:30 am

  One thing that really impressed me the most was its acceleration. It accelerates faster than my previous BMW 325i automatic and has a very smooth engine. Critics were right about overdoing it with V6 engine in such a small SUV, but love it! Ride is smooth, not jarring like my other Pathfinder and corners well. Easy to park with tight turning radius and have ample space in the cargo and backseat; love the fact that you can recline and slide the rear seat to create more room and cargo space. One thing i should have gotten is the upgraded JBL sound system; stock system is very adequate at the most where you gotta crank up the volume real high to hear anything soft sound.

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  RAV4 = Rave Reviews - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By RJL - December 12 - 3:06 am

  Everything about this vehicle fits me. I have had all brand-new vehicles in the past. I have owned a 97 Chev Cavalier (too little and poor quality sold it after 32k miles), then moved to a 99 GrandPrix GTP (loved it and sold it at 130k miles), then I bought a 05 Acura RSX (excellent quality, still that sporty feel that I like but with better gas mileage then the GrandPrix, engine was sorta weak however), Although I was not in need of a new vehicle I decided that I needed a small SUV (something I could grow with). I wanted to be able to carry camping gear, my bike and a few friends and be comfortable. I frowned at the thought of buying into something under powered and lacked the sporty feel.

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  Missing my RAV4 - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Car Nut - December 11 - 5:43 am

  In 2008, we needed to refresh our cars. I always like the look of the 2008 CR-V so I bought one. My wife really love it so she claimed it. Well, I was jealous but didnt want 2 CR-V on the driveway so I bought a 2007 RAV-4 instead. I must say, I love driving the RAV-4 better, I find it more solid, reliable and fun to drive. I didnt notice the difference in gas mileage between our 4 cyl CR-V to our V6 RAV-4. Recently we moved to a high-end neighborhood where everyone drives BMW, Lexus, MB, so we decided to get rid of both vehicles and buy me a RX350 and my wife a GX470. The only reason I am here is to vent how much I miss my RAV-4 with its "fun" qualities. OH the V6 POWER!

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  Love My Rav4! - 2000 Toyota RAV4
  By Dagwood55 - December 5 - 4:53 am

  Bought used with 75K miles, now at 87K. No problems. Solid, dependable, reliable, fun to drive. Looks, drives and sounds like its still brand new. Interior looks like new. No squeaks or rattles. Easy to park. Has lively acceleration, still gets 30 mpg on hwy, 24-25 around town. Considered AWD but went with FWD and automatic and this car is GREAT on snow (Firestone tires). Love it so much, we bought another!

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  Fun to Drive and More Room - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By BAK-MN - December 1 - 5:20 pm

  I was unhappy with my 2003 Jeep Liberty. I was looking for better gas mileage and more cargo area. I also needed a vehicle that could pull a small boat or a trailer with a couple of ATVs. The new V6 RAV4 has met all of my expectations. The sport edition came with great looking 18" alloy rims. Quick acceleration seems effortless with the smooth 269 HP engine. The 2006 Toyota RAV4 is better than the 2003 I test drove a few years ago in almost every aspect.