Used Toyota RAV4 2013-2019 review

The Toyota RAV4 is a large SUV that has grown over the years in terms of both size and engine options. This fourth-generation model is indeed noticeably longer and wider than the version that went before it, and it dropped the features made its predecessors so distinctive, namely the tailgate-mounted spare wheel and side-hinged rear door, for a more conventional hatchback.

On the used market, it finds itself in a category chock-full of competitors, with the likes of the smaller Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca at one end and larger and premium products such as the BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque at the other.

Toyota offered this RAV4 with a number of different engine options: 124bhp 2.0-litre and 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel engines, a 151bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 194bhp 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. There's also front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and automatic or manual gearboxes, depending on the engine. A 143bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine sourced from BMW was offered from 2016, replacing the earlier 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre units.

The diesel models are a little short of grunt, and there's a gruffness to the engine noise. The petrol car feels short of low-down go, too. That leaves the petrol-electric hybrid; it has good mechanical refinement and plenty of mid-range torque, thanks to the electric motor and an elastic-feeling CVT gearbox that's well calibrated to take advantage of that easy pulling power. It can even tow quite well (unusual for a hybrid), particularly in four-wheel-drive form.

In fact, the RAV4 is an easy car to drive. However, its ride is slightly unsettled and its handling is less responsive than that of some large SUVs. It isn't particularly comfortable, either, nor is it as capable off-road as some rivals, despite its rugged air.

Few could argue with the versatility of the RAV4, though, because it has loads of head and leg room in the front and near class-leading amounts of space in the back. The hatchback rear makes loading the cargo area far easier in tight parking spaces, and the wide opening helps when you're fitting in awkwardly shaped items. The load bay is almost two metres long when you fold the rear seats flat.

As for trim levels, there were three to choose from initially: Active, Icon and Invincible. Active models got 17in alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, air conditioning and Bluetooth, while Icon provided a lot more kit, including a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system, a rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers, a powered tailgate and cruise control. Invincible added full leather upholstery, heated front seats and rear parking sensors.

Later on, Business Edition was added. It was based on Active but added the touchscreen from Icon, along with sat-nav, to appeal company car drivers. Invincible was rebranded as Excel in 2015.

Around £7000 is the starting point for the RAV4, which should get you a 2013 or 2014 car with an average mileage for the year, bought either privately or from an independent dealer. Up the wedge to between £10,000 and £11,000 and you’ll be able to secure a late 2014 or 2015 model, most probably diesel-powered, as most of them are, with an average mileage and bought from an independent or franchised dealer. Cars from 2017 start at between £14,000 and £16,000 and final-run 2019 cars can be had for £26,000 to £28,000.

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Unsurprisingly, it’s the diesel RAV4 that’s the most economical. The 124bhp 2.0-litre has an official average fuel consumption figure of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 128g/km of CO2, while the post-2016 143bhp model gets 60.1mpg and 124g/km. The 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel is thirstier, at 49.6mpg and 149g/km, but then it is lumbered with four-wheel drive. The hybrid returns a claimed average of 53.2mpg and just 118g/km of CO2, because it can drive on electricity alone for short periods of time. The regular 2.0-litre petrol averages 43.5mpg and puts out 152g/km.

Annual road tax (VED) for RAV4s registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into force will be charged according to their official CO2 emissions. Those registered later on will be charged at the current flat rate, with a surcharge for any car that cost more than £40,000 when new. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Insurance groups range between a respectable 22 for the entry-level petrol up to 29 for the top-spec hybrid.

The RAV4 is a largely dependable car and shouldn’t cost a fortune to service. Toyota dealers offer a flexible service plan for used cars that can be tailored to your individual needs, based on your annual mileage and the period for which you require the plan. You can spread the cost of your regular service bills via a monthly direct debit, too.

The low-price and respectable performance of the 143bhp 2.0-litre diesel make it our pick of the range. However, the hybrid has excellently low official CO2 emissions and is great for those who have more urban driving in mind. Its real-world fuel economy is unlikely to match that of the diesel, but it's worth considering, even if you need four-wheel drive.

Avoid the 2.0-litre petrol engine. It has less torque than the diesel and feels slow, so you’ll be forced to work it hard, and economy will suffer as a result.

Avoid the most basic trim level, Active, if you can, because it missed out on a lot of equipment that came as standard on Icon models. We'd go for the latter, as you can get one for not a lot of extra cash. Excel brings lots goodies but is more expensive as a result.

Our favourite Toyota RAV4: 2.0 D-4D Icon

The RAV4’s rivals range far and wide, from the smaller Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca to the larger and more luxurious BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque.

Consider also the Mazda CX-5, which is good to drive and has tidy handling and a flexible engine. It also comes well equipped. Countered against that, its ride is firm and it’s quite pricey to lease.

The Ford Kuga is a similar size to the RAV4. It has a decent ride, is comparatively well priced on the used market and is well equipped. However, its rivals are more spacious inside and have higher-quality interiors.

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