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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  RAV4 - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Maureen - April 17 - 8:40 am

  I love this car..it is fun to drive and I got 30 mpg with the 2.4, 5 speed. It is easy to get in and out and I love the convience of the back door with all my grocery bag holders. The ride is great, not too stiff and responds well.

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  Sister Salvation - Lil Blue - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Sister Salvation - April 15 - 5:40 am

  My second RAV4! I liked my 2003 RAV4, but was ready to upgrade from the standard model. I love my new 2007 RAV4. After much debating and shopping around, I felt this had more bang for the buck and better gas mileage. The V6/4WD makes a HUGE difference as far as handling. The dealer also told me about making sure you are in D for drive vs 4th and I have not had an issue with mileage (21-23/27-30 depending on ac usage) I have driven/owned other competing models over the years and felt they didnt and still dont measure up to the RAV4. Most small SUVs still had that gocart feel. This is a solid, dependable car. I also really like the darker nautical blue color that is not that common.

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  Not too big and not too small - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By O-lily - April 12 - 5:23 pm

  The RAV4 V6 Sport has great pick up and is fun to drive. My husband and the men in his family are all over 6 feet tall. They can ride comfortably in the RAV4. The V6 has way more power than I really needed, but is useful for towing and heavy loads. The gas mileage is good. I drive on the highway and city streets a lot and get about 24-25 miles per gallon. I got more for my money horsepower and safety feature wise than I would have with the other competing brands. Plus Toyotas have a reputation for reliability.

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  After six months . . - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By DebA - April 12 - 3:36 pm

  Fun to drive, eye-catching looks, lots of zip. Really suits our needs for occasionally hauling stuff. Waiting for winter to see how it handles in snow.

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  Amazing Vehicle - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By MJD - April 11 - 8:26 pm

  I really enjoy my 2007 RAV4. The ride is extremely smooth with a car-like feel. The exterior gives a sleek, handsome look which makes the RAV4 look like a real SUV (unlike, say, the Honda CR-V or Nissan Murano). 4-cyl engine has enough power to get me going on the freeway, yet it is quiet enough at high speeds where I can have a quiet conversation. Gas mileage is outstanding - Im averaging 25-26 mpg with mixed driving (roughly 28-30 on the highway). All around, for the look, performance, handling and cost, I cannot imagine a better mid-sized SUV on the market today.

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  I Love My New Baby - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Darshan - April 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive wanted a Rav4 since 1996, but no dealer could locate a 5-speed with anti- lock brakes. I finally went with an automatic with all the safety features that became available this year: side/head airbags, traction, and stability control. No one can believe me when I tell them I traded my Audi TT roadster for a Rav4. I dont regret it one bit--well, maybe on those few days of great weather when I could throw the top back and let the breezes take me away. At least I can get more than one suitcase in the Rav!

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  My Little Rocket - Great Buy!!! - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Bebbszook - April 9 - 8:06 am

  Why My Little Rocket? My Rav4 accelerates, handles, & performs very smoothly. After over 20 years of driving the entire range of only Ford SUVs, I made the decision to go Toyota, which I believe was a wise one. I just wish I did it years ago. Going from an 05 Escape 6 cyl AWD to the 09 Rav4 4 cyl AWD, I expected sluggishness, but instead found it peppier with all-around better handling & performance in & on the VT snow & variable roads conditions. Having to drive over 2.5 hours, several times per week to VT, I find the drivers side lumbar support & heated seats a godsend. Gas mileage falls within the stated 21 to 27 mpg, with 24 mpg as my average. It should improve over time.

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  New RAV4, great car - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Arizona - April 7 - 5:43 pm

  This car is a lower cost Lexus RX 335. It has as much room, powerful engine 270 HP. Comfort, style and the reliability of Toyota. For the price its a great car.

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  Love my 04 Rav4 4ever - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By MayDay - April 6 - 8:05 pm

  This was my first car purchase ever. I knew I wanted an SUV, but not a giant gas guzzler. I love that I can for the most part fit into most parking spaces. It does drive like a car. This car now has 130,000 miles and still going strong. I wish Toyota made them convertibles at that time bc then this would be my car forever. Ive always wanted a convertible SUV, which there is one available now, that I am considering getting. But I am so attached to my Rav. Good thing my brother is going to buy it from me, bc it definitely deserves a good home. It actually has good sound too. I sure am going to miss my Rav if I do end up selling it. Im fighting back tears as I write this review...sniff sniff.

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  Great, fun car to drive! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Isela - April 4 - 6:53 am

  Ive had my Rav 4 for almost 5 years. Im about to go over the 100K mile mark and its been doing great. The only downside is that the 2001 model has something wrong with the Oxygen sensor software. I had it fail on me around 65K miles and again at about 82K. It was covered under warranty both times and is around an $80 fix for the next time it comes down the line. Not really a big problem, but it makes the check engine light go off.