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:

• 

  Fun little SUV - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Fred - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Much more fun to drive than the CRV. With the smooth-shifting 5-speed transmission, the 2.0 VVi engine has adequate power with very good gas mileage--got 31 MPG on the first tank driving highway. My wife loves her RAV; great for our small family and trips around town.

• 

  Great car - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob - May 13 - 3:43 pm

  Put 700 miles on it the first week-end. Got 35 MPG on mainly level interstate with an automatic. Cruise control stayed "locked on" to correct setting even when crossing the Smokey Mountains in NC/TN. Not as comfortable as my Camry XLE, but then not supposed to be. Loaded a lot of stuff into it without any problems.

• 

  Hot SUV - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Gail McDonald - May 12 - 5:10 pm

  I researched suvs for about 6 months before I settled on the RAV4... Of course, Toyota was the pivoting factor. I have owned Toyotas since 1987 and have been very impressed with them. This RAV4 answered all the needs I had. Its easy to park, turn corners, and takes up much less space in my garage. It has fantastic pick up, it moves faster and tighter than my Camry. The best feature was not having to sit down into a car. I have lower back problems and getting into and out of my Camry was so hard for me. I find this vehicle easy to get in and out of with no effort. I am 510" and need all the leg and head room it offers. I sit up high and the 360 degree view is awesome, no blind spots

• 

  Great so far - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By sjohn90929 - May 12 - 1:51 am

  I just bought a 2011 RAV, and for me it was a no brainer. Ive always had Toyotas -- so maybe Im biased in that direction -- but the test drives convinced me. I live in the Sierras, so I need a vehicle with high clearance. At first, I wanted a jeep, but driving two of the Libertys was like driving a car weighed down by boulders. I couldnt believe how sluggish the Liberty was....Then I drove the RAV -- the thing took off like a rocket. It was almost too responsive -- I tapped the pedal and it would lunge forward. And the MPG is almost as good as that of my aging Corolla... It could be that after a while paint chips will fall off, or whatever, as others have said. But I am happy so far.

• 

  Perfect Step Down - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By pschell - May 4 - 5:58 am

  I traded in my 2010 Tundra for the all new Rav4 and couldnt be happier! I LOVED my truck, but I DIDNT love parking it, filling it up with gas, paying the $500 car tags every year, so on and so on. I am really loving all the money I have already saved, how easy it is to park and I am shocked at how comfortable the car and ride is in comparison to my Tundra (which I consider to be the best Ive ever experienced). I am so happy I got the Rav4 and totally recommend it!

• 

  First Toyota product - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By y22zzaa - May 1 - 10:00 am

  Over a 10 year period (between wife & I), i have driven the following; Ford Escape (2004), Honda CRV (2006), and a Subaru Impreza (AWD, 2008). Of course i am bias but as of right now, this Toyota is far superior. Also looked at the Subaru forester turbo but dealership was not willing to deal. Thankfully, because then i drove over to Toyota and realized that for me, this is a much better fit. It is not perfect but for the price and what it is, it comes close. As of right now, i am getting about 1 mpg less than my 170 HP AWD Subaru! BUT i have 100 more HP! And i love tapping into it. Also, my insurance premium dropped by $1/month!

• 

  Love this fun little SUV! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Sparks - May 1 - 10:00 am

  First of all I have to say I was hesitant to get a Toyota after the whole ordeal and was on my way to sign on the CR-V but decided on my way to stop at the Toyota dealer on the way. WELL, I leased a limited RAV4 got it with NAV and Bluetooth. It is SO comfortable and has so much power! we took it on a road trip to the smoky mountains carrying 4 adults and my 2 years old. everyone were comfortable and happy. the car did well on the mountains road. Very impressed with the V-6 power and the smooth ride. the car is very responsive and fun to drive. I also wanted to mention that I got the maintenance package with it and it even includes free oil changes and car washes! Well done Toyota!

• 

  Practical All-Around Vehicle - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Harky - April 21 - 2:36 am

  Owned this car for one year, so far no issues. Before buying I test drove both Camry and Rav4. Both cars felt same in terms of driving dynamics and both cars share some mechanical parts, but picked Rav4 for its high-seating position. Fuel economy is above average and pretty roomy inside. A little bit sluggish from stop, but this is a 4 cylinder (get 6 cylinder for quick starts). The space in the drivers side needs to be improved especially in left knee area. Also, the tire noise is little bit high during the highway cruising, thus the sound insulation in the cabin needs to be improved.

• 

  Great small SUV - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Don - April 20 - 11:16 pm

  The V6 4WD Limited has all the options I need in a SUV. Im getting about 24 MPG which is good for the performance. At first the seats felt uncomfortable however the more I drive the RAV4 the better they feel.

• 

  Living Up to First Impression - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Gawain - April 17 - 11:53 am

  Now at about 5000 miles, it has broken in nicely. To date best highway mileage is 27 MPG, mixed driving hasnt dropped below 23-24 MPG. I posted a review in 12/06, many of those first impressions are still alive. General observations: it works, but HVAC is slow to heat, the AC works fine. There is an occasional hum from the engine compartment when cruising at 50-55 MPH. The radio works well, but bass is not delivered too clearly (mid-radio option). Switchgear is refined, high quality. Steering is well weighted, but electric-motor-assist removes some steering "feel". Suspension is well tuned. Vehicle doesnt drift in crosswinds. Huge cargo space. Highly recommend.