RAV4
- Make
- Toyota
- Segment
- SUV
If it wasn't for America's fascination with trucks, the Toyota RAV4 would've been the country's top-selling vehicle in 2023. The RAV4 helped pioneer the crossover craze three decades ago, and despite the arrival of flashier and more luxurious rivals - the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage spring to mind - the Toyota's spread of capabilities and reputation for dependability have kept it on top. As with any model line spanning a significant period of time, some model years and variants are better than others. If this is the crossover you want, read on to find out what the best Toyota RAV4 model years are.
Why Is The Toyota RAV4 So Popular?
Being a Toyota doesn't hurt, but the RAV4 has always done a great job of blending car-like driving dynamics with just the right amount of SUV-like ruggedness. All-wheel drive was available from the start, and the first-generation's cute yet tough design instantly endeared it to thousands of consumers. The three-door first-gen model had an especially youthful design.
No car is perfect, but even when the RAV4 does need maintenance, it's rarely serious or horrendously expensive. RepairPal lists an average annual repair cost of $429 for the RAV4, compared to an average of $521 for all compact SUVs. The frequency and severity of repairs for the RAV4 are also low.
The RAV4 also has excellent resale values. According to iSeeCars, the RAV4 ranks behind only the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota C-HR, and Honda HR-V as the slowest-depreciating SUV after five years.
Toyota has kept things simple with the RAV4, even in the most modern fifth-gen model. It still comes with a simple non-turbo four-cylinder engine as standard, while prioritizing safety equipment over the latest gizmos.
Which Toyota RAV4 Model Years Are The Best?
You could buy virtually any RAV4 and end up with a reliable crossover. Of course, with the oldest models now being 30 years old, these ones will need a comprehensive service history for your peace of mind.
2022 Toyota RAV4
Car Complaints has only one complaint on record for the 2022 RAV4, part of the current fifth-gen RAV4 range. J.D. Power also has an 81 out of 100 quality and reliability rating for the 2022 RAV4, the highest for any model year in the fifth generation.
According to the NHTSA, the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid received only two complaints, far fewer than the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid (10 complaints) and regular RAV4 (48 complaints). Some RAV4s for this model year were recalled for an airbag that may not properly deploy.
Overall, however, the 2022 RAV4 appears to be as safe a bet as any other. We spotted a few used 2022 examples for around $23k, saving you over $5k over a new one.
2018 Toyota RAV4
The last of the fourth-gen RAV4 model years, the 2018 RAV4 has a low number of complaints on Car Complaints and a superb quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power of 88 out of 100. The 2.5-liter engine (with a timing chain instead of a timing belt) and conventional six-speed automatic are pretty much bulletproof, and they also return better efficiency than the V6 that used to be available. Older fourth-gen RAV4s had a transmission shudder issue, but this seems to have been mostly eradicated by the time the 2018 model arrived. You can also get a 2018 hybrid that returns 32 mpg combined.
Although this RAV4 was recalled three times, two of those were for incorrect load capacity labels, so have nothing to do with the vehicle's reliability in any way.
As long as you can deal with its modest outputs and an older infotainment interface, the 2018 RAV4 should last a long time.
2004-2005 Toyota RAV4
The 2004 and 2005 RAV4s were the last of the second-gen model. On Car Complaints, these two model years have a lot fewer complaints than the earlier, pre-facelift second-gen RAV4s. The same pattern is repeated on the NHTSA's website, with the number of complaints from the 2003 to 2004 model year RAV4 declining by over 50%.
A new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for the 2004 model year produced 160 horsepower, replacing the 2.0-liter mill used previously. It also came with more equipment and an improved safety structure. It's just a pity that the two-door version of the second-gen RAV4 wasn't sold in the USA.
One major proviso is necessary for these RAV4s, though. Toyota has just issued a "do not drive" advisory for some of them due to the ongoing Takata airbag saga. The manufacturer will replace the problematic airbag for free, and will even collect the vehicle for you. It's a pity that one issue can blemish an otherwise extremely reliable vehicle's reputation, but provided you get this critical repair done, these 2004-2005 RAV4s are easy to recommend as a cheap used buy.
2000 Toyota RAV4
A relatively low number of complaints are on record for the 2000 Toyota RAV4, the last model year of the much-loved first-generation RAV4. By this stage, you could order a two-door model with a soft top, and the 2.0-liter engine had gained a little more power. A RAV4 EV was also available, but its 88-mile range is pitiful by modern standards, and very few of them were produced for California only.
The 2000 RAV4 had three recalls, but only one affected a significant number of units. This was for an airbag inflator that could rupture, so we'd make sure the affected airbag has been replaced if you do go for a 2000 RAV4.
1996-1997 Toyota RAV4
If you're looking for a classic first-gen RAV4, they are regarded as very reliable with a low number of complaints and only one recall for poor-quality aftermarket combination lamps. The number of recalls increased from the 1998 model year, as did the complaints associated with the RAV4. A simple 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the choice of either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic were equipped to these models.
Many early examples of the RAV4 sell for under $10k, but you may have to shop around for a decent one in light of how old they now are.
What About The Brand-New RAV4?
Naturally, the newest RAV4s are going to be the most desirable of the lot, as they have the best feature content. For 2023 models, the infotainment interface received a significant overhaul, so we'd get one of these if choosing between a 2022 and 2023.
It's too early to say how reliable these newest RAV4s will be, though, as they haven't been on sale for long enough. As things stand now, there are very few complaints for 2023-2024 RAV4s, although 195 examples of the 2023 model were recalled for a potentially damaged valve stem that could cause air to leak from the tires. This affects models with black 17-inch alloys.
Summary: Built To Last
Along with the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4 is one of the only compact crossovers expected to have a decent chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles, with almost every other SUV expected to do the same either being larger or having a sturdier truck platform.
The RAV4's simple mechanicals and solid build quality have served it well. It doesn't have the most advanced features in its class, but by not relenting to trendsetting technologies for the sake of it, the crossover has proved itself worthy of the Toyota badge.
