Overview & Reviews

Completely redesigned, RAV4 grows in size and gets a more powerful engine, along with edgy new styling.

• More room, more power, improved styling, whiplash injury-lessening seats.

• No V6 engine option, engine makes power too high in rev range, most desired equipment is optional.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 68.00

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  318,000 and still going - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Laurea McLeon - August 19 - 6:40 am

  My Rav has been in 4 major accidents and has over 318,000 miles on it and it is still going stong. I wouldnt part with this car unless you gave me another one...well maybe if you gave me a Highlander.. :-}

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  Best compact SUV Ive driven - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By dwoud - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have put many miles on the car, and some rugged off roading (quite a bit) Ive never been stranded on the side of the road. Horsepower is lacking but the rewards are seen at the gas pump. The five speed manual gear box helps over come the power issue. At 255,000km. I am Getting the best fuel milage yet!! Lets hope for a hybrid! The limited slip differential is a little "week" but as long as the car is still moving it will pull though almost anything.

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  Fun & Sporty - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By rktect - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I own two RAV4s and I have yet to have any problems with them. The "L" series is very fun to drive and its handling is pretty good for a 4 cylinder. I have yet to get trapped in the 2+ feet of snow in the winter time. All the interior features are very easy to operate and are all in hands reach. This SUV gets two thimbs up!!

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  takes a licking...keeps on going! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By debbie - December 1 - 8:36 am

  Wonderful ride- great gas milage- was involved in fender bender and the other car faired much worse.Great vehicle for long distance trips. This car would benifit from Bose stereo as standard equip.All in all very dependable ride for the money.

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  2001 RAV4L 2WD - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Jeff Adkins - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun Ive had with a Toyota. Perfect vehicle for active D.I.N.K.s (dual income no kids) with dogs, and weekend home projects. Put new All Terrain tires on it. Now we are really going to have fun.

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  Cant Say Enough - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By DPH - July 9 - 6:50 am

  This has been just a great little car - I still have fun driving it. Even on trips it has provided plenty of comfort, partly because there is so much leg and head room. I cant complain that it lacks power; what would one expect from a 4-cylinder SUV? Snow and up-hill driveway is an issue where we live, and with studded snow tires, this is a little army tank!

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  Till death do we part - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By duncan16 - July 3 - 6:28 am

  Full-time 4x4 gives you traction all the time and you get a combined mpg of 25, that is amazing. I actually am a car moder (that means I modify my cars so they arent stock). I suggest that if you want to change anything about this car it would be; get Yokohama AT/S tires for the best all around traction no matter the surface and the tires will last you forever, get performance intakes and filters to help with higher rpm performance. Those are very basic, if you are looking for anything better I suggest you go to RAV4world.

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  Still Crazy (about it) after 6 yrs. - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Jeffty - June 8 - 6:20 am

  Totally dependable, solid and always fun and economical to drive. 4-cyl. w/5-speed manual likes to rev high and zoom along. Zippier than youd imagine, very stable manuvering and braking. I get an average of 27 mpg combined and up to 31 mpg on a long, slow trip. Original Toyo tires were unspectacular but a set of Michelins made a real improvement especially in the wet. The quartet of engine sensors were a bit troublesome, three already replaced before 70k miles. Now at 100k miles it still feels solid and fun to drive. I plan on keeping this one for the duration and I feel pretty optimistic about a good,long life for this one. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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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.

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  7 1/2 years and still going - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By SuMac - February 20 - 4:53 am

  Bought my RAV4L in Nov 2000. She has over 110,000 miles now and still going strong. I have only done regular maintenance. The only thing that has failed is the passenger power lock is not working (which could be related to the add-on car starter/door opener package I had put on). Called today to see about a "timing belt" change (since Ive never done that and everyone said I should) -- only to find out that once again, Toyota has outdone themselves and the timing CHAIN never needs replacing. So shes getting a tuneup next week. Ive had her detailed 2 times and both times she looks like a brand new car afterward. I hope to see 300,000 miles on this one! Gas mileage: 27 / 29.