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:

• 

  the best small SUV - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By trebor1511 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  a very good SUV, very stylish and economical.

• 

  My Rav 4 - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Jennypooh - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy my Rav4. It is a small suv, yet it is the perfect size for our growing family

• 

  2002 Toyota RAV4 - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By MANISH PATEL - March 27 - 6:20 pm

  Excellent Reliable SUV

• 

  Happy Camper - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Wm Leider - March 27 - 5:50 pm

  I bought my 2008 Rav4 Jan 2010 and traded my 2006 Matrix. Wife and I wanted something a little bigger and easier to get in and out of. Im very pleased with both Toyotas and will buy another when I tire of this one.

• 

  Well worth it - I highly recommend - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By medina607 - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought my base 4 cylinder 4WD new, have averaged only 10,00 miles a year, and have absolutely no complaints. Very reliable. Great looking little SUV with surprising cargo capability - I once fit a twin size mattress in it with the back hatch closed. Have to believe that buying one of these used is a good choice.

• 

  Doesnt meet all needs, but good vehicle. - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By e96732 - March 24 - 8:26 am

  The V6 on this little SUV jumps and accelerates well. Coming from a standard 5-speed 4x4 (Pathfinder), its taking me a little getting used to the auto tranny lag time on the gas pedal. But the power is very impressive once engaged. The ride is very smooth. Has reduced noise, compared to my CRV. The tapered cabin provides more space to the front seats than youd think. Havent tested it off road yet, but soon.

• 

  Drive with Confidence - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Going Grandma - March 21 - 1:36 pm

  Reliable front wheel drive in all weather but snow and rainy wind storms in particular. Moved from east to west coast -- handles great, climbs mountain passes like a champ. Trac system a plus driving in ice and snow. Can cruise along at 80 mph with the rest of the traffic. Fine for city driving parallel parks with ease. Nice stylish car.

• 

  Dispointed - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Al - March 21 - 10:16 am

  I was heavily influenced by the favorate reviews. After purchasing I was dispointed for two major reasons. The car looks fine when stands alone but appears so tiny when parked next to most other vehicles. Gas mileage is more like 20 rather than 28 even with 95% high way driving. That was one major reason I bought this vehicle. I would go exchange for something else if there were such a thing as exchanging a new car, like what you do in a supermarket.

• 

  Close To The Perfect Car - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By MainJane - March 19 - 10:56 am

  Youve read the rave reviews and already know that the RAV4 is a great car and the best choice in the small SUV class so I wont repeat all of its great qualities. Instead, Ill use this space to point out my 2 main gripes about the vehicle. These are the things that I wish someone had warned me about before I bought. I dont know if it would have changed my mind, but it would have been nice to know. One is the interior noise at speed. Far noisier than a car at this price point should be. Source is mostly road noise, but mechanical and wind are also contributors. Second is handling; not as crisp or responsive as it could be. Please pay attention to both of these issues before you buy.

• 

  Awesome! - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Kathy - March 16 - 1:03 pm

  I love my RAV-4! Highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a smaller sporty and functional 4WD/AWD vehicle. The gas mileage with the 4 cyl. is just as good if not better than most cars! This is a great value and a sharp looking vehicle! Although Toyota does not recommend having a remote starter professionally installed, I did and dont regret it! No problems whatsoever. Plenty of room for our bands gear, too. This little SUV is sturdy, reliable, and comfortable. I just LOVE it!