Used Toyota RAV4 for sale: everything you need to know
The Toyota RAV4 lays pretty good claim to having started the craze for crossovers and SUVs - the original model debuted in 1994, and it wasn’t long before other manufacturers started offering cars with 4x4 styling but more road-friendly handling and refinement. The fifth generation was launched in 2018 and remains one of the most popular cars of its type globally.
It’s popular in the UK too which means plenty of choice on the used market. All models are hybrids these days, so fuel efficiency is better than you’d expect of an SUV, while Toyota’s reputation for reliability is among the best in the market, so you can buy with confidence too. Read on to find out more about the RAV4.
Should you buy a Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 is a pretty easy car to make a case for. Perhaps it doesn’t have the style or badge kudos of some cars in its class, but its practicality, reliability, and efficiency are hard to beat - it’s a pretty safe bet as far as used SUVs go.
The latest model arrived in 2018 so it’s been on sale for a few years now, and is offered only in hybrid form - with all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid models alongside the standard front-wheel drive version. It’s a simple car to drive - Toyota calls it a ‘self-charging’ hybrid, and while this is mainly marketing speak, the idea is that there’s no plugging in required to get the best economy (unless of course you’ve gone specifically for the plug-in model!)
Economy is easily on par with diesel rivals, while in theory having cleaner emissions, and Toyota’s hybrid system has a great reputation for longevity too - look after it with regular servicing and it’ll look after you. With plenty of safety kit the car itself should look after you too, while equipment levels are generally strong. Buy one under five years old, and it should still be within Toyota’s five-year, 100,000-mile warranty too.
Other cars to consider in this class include the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, two other Japanese models that should prove reliable and are good to drive. The Skoda Karoq is a fine-driving alternative, while the Ford Kuga has sporty handling on its side. Given the RAV4’s relatively high prices, you might also consider premium models like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and the mechanically-similar Lexus NX too.
What’s the best used Toyota RAV4 model to buy?
You get a 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain as standard in the RAV4, but you do get a choice of how many wheels you want driven, or how much EV range you get - thanks to all-wheel drive and plug-in models respectively. All are very fuel-efficient, but the plug-in may appeal if you have the capacity for charging at home - the claimed 46 miles of EV range could make your commute a fair bit cheaper. We’d concentrate on at least Excel trim when it comes to spec, for its more luxurious feel, and a few extra items on the safety kit list, such as a reversing braking function to prevent you accidentally reversing out of a space into traffic.
Used Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and performance
- Toyota RAV4 2.5 hybrid: Hybrid doesn’t mean low power in the RAV4, with a 2.5-litre petrol-electric combination making 215PS - good for 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds, despite the potential for 50.4mpg economy.
- Toyota RAV4 2.5 hybrid AWD-i: You get only slightly more power with an electric motor powering the rear axle, for part-time all-wheel drive and 219PS, but the 0-62mph time still drops to 8.1 seconds. Economy drops a little too, but it’s still very frugal at 48.7mpg.
- Toyota RAV4 2.5 Plug-in hybrid: With more powerful electric motors, the 2.5-litre hybrid combination bumps power to 306PS. This means a 6-second 0-62mph time, and thanks to 46 miles of EV range, combined economy of 282.5mpg.
What used Toyota RAV4 trim levels are available?
- The Toyota RAV4 Icon packs plenty of kit for an entry-level model, and comes with a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technology too.
- The Toyota RAV4 Design adds to Icon spec with larger alloy wheels, an electric tailgate, and keyless entry.
- The Toyota RAV4 Excel has a more luxurious focus and includes leather trim, heated front seats, and 19-inch alloys.
- The Toyota RAV4 Dynamic is based on Design spec but has a sportier look and feel with 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-metallic paint, sports seats, and a black roof lining.
- The Toyota RAV4 Dynamic Plus is only available on the Plug-in model, and adds a panoramic glass roof and ventilated front seats to Dynamic specification.
- The Toyota RAV4 Adventure has a more rugged exterior appearance, with wider wheel arches, and inside, contrast stitching for the synthetic leather seats.
Used Toyota RAV4 dimensions and boot size
The Toyota RAV4’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 4,600mm
- Width: 1,855mm
- Height: 1,685mm (Plug-in: 1,690mm)
- Ground clearance: 195mm (Plug-in: 190mm)
The Toyota RAV4’s boot space is:
- 580 litres (Plug-in: 520 litres)
- 1,690 litres with rear seats folded (Plug-in: 1,604 litres)
Used Toyota RAV4 road tax
Double-check whether the RAV4 you’re looking at cost more than £40,000 when it was brand new, as that’ll affect how much you pay in VED. Models that cost under that figure will set you back £180 a year (which includes the £10 discount for ‘alternative fuel’ vehicles), but there’s a surcharge applicable to the more expensive versions, which lifts the annual price to £590.
How much is it to insure a Toyota RAV4?
There are cheaper SUVs to insure, but for a well-equipped and fairly advanced hybrid SUV, a starting point of group 25 insurance for a model in Icon trim isn’t too out of the ordinary, nor is the group 34 rating for the range-topping plug-in models.
