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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Simply Spectacular! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
By Hunch - June 24 - 5:43 amI also own a 2006 BMW 325i, and I have to say that the new RAV4 V-6 is every bit as much fun to drive! The 269 hp engine delivers phenomenal torque, extending a challenge to my 325i for a race! Thumping the gas pedal is exhilarating and I cant recommend doing so highly enough! I leased this vehicle but will likely buy it at the end of the lease and just get leather seats installed. Itll be like a new vehicle and will probably only have about 30,000 miles by that time. And since its a Toyota, I figure Ill get another 270,000 miles out of it! If you havent driven the V-6 yet, get out there and run one! Youll love it!
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Love it! - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By mikeslittlesis - June 19 - 1:36 pmI love my RAV4. I went looking for a CR-V and found this car. It drives great, gets better gas milage than quoted, and runs great. I got 31 mpg on a long trip with the A/C off. I love the stereo controls on the steering wheel, which keep my eyes on the road. It is easy to park even in tight spaces and easy to turn around.
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Love My New RAV4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
By HappyWithRAV4!!!! - June 17 - 4:50 pmI am absolutely in love with the Rav4. There is no question this is the best SUV I have ever driven. It looks as good as it drives and I love the space inside. The color is beautiful (nautical blue) and I love the interior. I only have a 2 wheel drive and a 4 cylinder, but it has enough get up and go for me. Talk about great gas mileage. I went from a gas guzzler and now to this. I am in heaven. I think that I will have this car for a long time to come. No doubt it will be one of my favorite toys.
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Nice Quality Ride - 2010 Toyota RAV4
By Poisondart - June 16 - 10:50 pmI had this beauty for about a month, but I can not stop loving it. It is a very well designed compact, yet roomy, SUV. The vehicle handles extremely well with small turning radius, and the ride is quite smooth for its size. Instrument panel was well lay out with all the buttons/switches located right at your finger tips. Cargo rooms are plenty. The Bluetooth feature is really nice since more and more states are restricting driving and holding cell phone to your ears at the same time. Upgraded tires, and the roof rail make the vehicle more muscular and nicer looking. Test drive one, and you will fall in love with it.
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My 4th And Best RAV4 Yet!!! - 2013 Toyota RAV4
By ravraver1 - June 16 - 5:21 amIve owned the 96, 01, and 06 RAV 4s and loved everyone of them. Got over 100K out of each with no problems whatsoever. This 13 I just bought looks like it will beat all the others. Its more comfortable, has more guts, looks sharper, and rides quieter than the previous generations. The ride is a little stiff but I feel very secure in this vehicle. We also own a 12 Sienna, and this RAV is just as comfortable. Im looking forward to many years of driving pleasure with this baby.
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my review - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By mcduck315 - June 15 - 10:00 amEver since I have purchased my 2004 Toyota RAV 4, I have only experienced true, effecient, and quality results from my SUV. It is an extremely fun to drive, gas thrifty small SUV and has just enough space for me and all my stuff to fit in comfortably. I especially love this car for its sporty and refined looks and its off-road capabilities. I feel like I can take it anywhere and still recieve the renowned Toyota driving experience.
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Rav4 L - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By greenleaf33 - June 15 - 10:00 amI was never a fan of the Rav4. Earlier models were very unattractive. When my wifes lease expired on her Honda Accord, we began looking for a compact SUV that she would be comfortable driving. With some reluctance, I convinced my wife to look at the Rav4. She had owned a Celica and a Corona in the past, and liked Toyotas vehicles, but she had the image of the original Rav4 (with its ugly side panels) in her mind. We ended up purchasing a black Rav4 L with step rails,a roof rack, full power, and leather interior. We are both huge fans of the Rav4 now, and probably will buy another one when our current one gets older.
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Pleasant Surprise - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By Ron LaRue - June 15 - 10:00 amMy wife and I are really impressed with all the attributes of this vehicle. We originally purchased to tow behind an RV, but we love it so much we use it everywhere. The interior room is really great for the two of us and hauling. The outside dimensions make it a great tow vehicle with a dolley.
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great little SUV - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By E. Costa - June 15 - 10:00 amWe bought the Rav-4 For our daughter, a first time driver,this SUV is such an easy drive and so dependable. Were very happy with pur purchase.
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2004 Rav4 Manual - 2004 Toyota RAV4
By Deputy Dan - June 15 - 10:00 amSUPER good vehicle - my favorite ever. Great acceleration, nimble handling, just plain fun to drive. Reliability is great, stability on all types of road surfaces is superior.
