Over the 30 years of the Toyota RAV4, here are six model years that are more reliable than most others for those shopping for a used SUV.
Currently, the Toyota RAV4 is the third best-selling vehicle in the United States. For years now, the popularity of Toyota’s compact SUV has been incredibly high, and it is fairly easy to see why. Combine the renowned reliability of the Japanese automaker, a vehicle that is equally appealing to both single drivers and families, and its relatively affordable price, and you have one of the few models on the market that can keep pace with the likes of the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado juggernauts. As the years have gone by, it has kept up with technological and environmental advances, currently offering gas-powered, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options.
With a vehicle this popular, it makes sense that it would also be something sought after on the used car market. Considering the starting price for a brand new 2024 RAV4 is $28,675, the chances of getting a very good price on a used RAV4 are pretty high. Just because you may be getting a good price for one does not necessarily mean that the model year you are selecting is the right one, particularly considering the problems this vehicle the RAV4 is prone to. After taking in the ratings and reviews from RAV4 owners from various publications and institutions that honestly rate the vehicle’s reliability and usability, here are six different RAV4 models you should be giving serious consideration to if you are wanting to buy yourself a used one.2000
The Toyota RAV4 has undergone a lot of changes since it debuted for the 1994 model year, and in that time, it has been through five different generations. Each and every one of them has at least one model year that is worth taking a look at on the used vehicle market. If the very first generation of the SUV is what you are keen on, then your best bet is to go for one from the 2000 model year. Of course, the most appealing element to a vehicle that is a quarter of a century old is its price, which will typically cost you under $4,000. Amazingly, for such little money, you are getting a rather reliable vehicle. In 25 years, the 2000 RAV4 has only been the subject of three recalls, with two being close to its release and the third coming 20 years later due to a Toyota-wide airbag recall.
The owner satisfaction ratings for the vehicle are similarly impressive, earning a 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports, 5 stars from Cars.com, and 4.7 stars from Kelley Blue Book. You are getting a vehicle with a 2.0L I4 engine that only produces 127 hp, so if power is what you’re after, you might want to look elsewhere. Also, as with any vehicle this old, you will want to find models without many miles already put on them. With the reliability of a Toyota, though, you can possibly afford for those numbers to be a little higher than normal. The 2000 RAV4 is a recommendation for folks just looking for something affordable and sturdy to get them through their average day.
[Featured image by order_242 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 2.0]2004
2000 was the last model year of the first generation, and the second one got off to a somewhat rocky start. Based on reported problems on CarComplaints, 2001 through 2003 was a rough time for the Toyota RAV4, with 2002 earning a whopping 519 complaints mostly due to transmission troubles. It wasn’t until the 2004 model year that the things evened out, and the reported complaints on the site dropped down to just 20. The recalls by the NHTSA mirror this lack of issues, as it has only been issued two in its 20 years of existence.
Consumer Reports also noted a dramatic rise in quality in this time. The 2002 model earned a 52 out of 100 reliability rating from the publication, whereas the 2004 model increased that number to a 63. Even more impressive is the 5 out of 5 owner satisfaction rating, and it gets the same 4.7 stars as the 2000 model from Kelley Blue Book.
