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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  A Tin Can - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By adavid - May 24 - 4:56 pm

  I bought this RAV last summer and could not believe the road noise it generated on highways. Didnt matter that I replaced all 4 tires...it was still so frustratingly loud, after a long trip, my ears would ring for hours. Later I find out that the sound/vibration barriers are pretty much non-existent in this car. The v6 engine is very jumpy and gas mileage is a joke. Poor build quality is not something I associate Toyota with but in this case... Make sure you take one out on the highway before you buy...you wont believe your ears!!

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  Great Car - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Al - May 24 - 1:30 pm

  I bought this car couple of months ago for my wife. She loves it and I drive it every chance I get (or excuse I can come up with). Rav4 is a fun car and I researched many months before decided to go for a 2WD automatic. Living in California diminishes the need for 4WD and plus I can save more money on gas. So far I get 21 MPG and this is mostly city driving. Curtain air bag was very important for me, so I had to move up to “L” and few other options since this was the only one on the Dealer’s Lot with side/curtain airbags.

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  I rave about my RAV4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By bubearkot - May 23 - 2:56 am

  My daughters 2003 RAV4 convinced us to wait for the new design, a very wise choice. Only have 250 miles, but going to Houston this weekend for our first road trip. Should be fun!!

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  Excellent quality - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By Ray - May 19 - 10:06 pm

  Had this car for over 13 years. No mechanical defects and 270,000 miles. Usually got around 28 mpg. It didnt have the pep that some later models had but it always got me where I needed to go.

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  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.

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  Toyota Fan - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Cathy - May 17 - 1:23 am

  I love my new RAV4. I had been driving my 2001 RAV4 and the differences between these vehicles in amazing! The 2010 is much more spacious, the V6 gives her some get-up-at-go, the XM radio, keyless ignition/entry and so much more. I still have my 2001 RAV4 in the dooryard, but I always go for my new 2010. Love it!

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  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.

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  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

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  My New-used RAV4 - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By sapphiretiger - May 12 - 5:36 am

  So far so Good!! This isnt the vehicle I originally planned on purchasing. A lot of people were telling me no dont get an Suv, they burn too much gas. But my Rav4 is just as good on gas mileage as my car was. Its comfortable and I like to sit up a bit higher now. For my needs it has plenty of room. Went on weekend get-away with my boyfriend and my dog; now the dog loves it too; he always wants to go for a ride in it. I like that being a Toyota it should retain its value fairly well. OVERALL SATISFIED; THE CONS ARE MINOR. luv4myrav4

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  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.