Buying a used Toyota RAV4 (2013-2018)

Look back almost 30 years and there arrived in the 4WD world a series of models that combined off-road ability with family friendship. Suzuki went first with the five-door Vitara, closely followed by Toyota in 1994 with its RAV4.

The RAV was effectively a Corolla with off-road credentials. It sat high and placed the occupants in a more commanding position than they would be in a conventional car.

Original SXA10R versions had 2.0-litre engines and 96kW to help cope with additional weight and appalling aerodynamics. As the 1990s progressed, the RAV4’s appearance changed slightly but not until 2000 was there a significant boost in power.

By late 2007 the basic RAV4 engine was a 2.4-litre twin-cam four-cylinder, with a 201kW 3.5-litre V6 optional. For 2010, a front-wheel drive variant joined a range that until then had exclusively been 4WD.

The first substantial change to the RAV4 in almost 20 years came in 2013 with the fourth-generation model (ASA44R). Donning a chic suit in place of country cousin coveralls, the RAV4 became more keenly focused on urban owners who might occasionally venture to the snowfields or a country retreat.

The V6 engine was gone and in its place for those who might use their RAV4 to tow was a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel. Hybrid versions that combined an electric generator and 2.5-litre petrol engine were available in overseas markets but Australia would need to wait for these until the next generation of RAV4 was announced in 2018.

Front-wheel drive was retained for the 44R series, with six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed CVT. If a buyer wanted the diesel engine it would come with 4WD and be combined with the manual or a conventional six-speed automatic.

Buying Used: Toyota RAV4 (2013-18) – Quick Checklist
• Look for underbody scrapes that are beginning to rust, plus impact damage to the front bumper, sills and exhaust.
• Check that the yellow DPF filter warning light on the diesel illuminates with the ignition on and disappears with the engine running. If it doesn’t the vehicle needs to have the filter cleared or perhaps replaced before purchase.
• Shuddering when accelerating or noise from the CVT need to be investigated prior to purchase. CVT faults almost always result in replacement of the complete transmission.

The fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 was announced internationally in 2012 and just months later made its appearance on Australian roads.

Overall dimensions changed only marginally, however there was significant reworking of the body panels, sculpted sides and altered lights. The cargo area door no longer swung sideways, replaced by a lift-up hatch.

Gone too, unless buyers lashed out $300 for a fifth alloy, was the full-size spare wheel which used to hang on the load-area door. Housing a full-size spare wheel under the boot matting was possible but cargo capacity dropped by 70 litres.

The new RAV4 range comprised 16 specific variants in two- and four-wheel drive, with six-speed manual, conventional automatic and CVT transmissions, petrol or turbo-diesel engines. There were three levels of trim: GX, GXL and Cruiser.

Least expensive was the 2WD, six-speed manual GX with a 2.0-litre petrol engine. These started at $27,490 plus on-road costs and jumped by $2500 when automatic transmission was specified.

GX models were generally sold to commercial users and those private owners who were headed into the hills or down to oceanfront fishing spots and had little interest in powered seats or rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

The seats in lower-spec RAV4s were edged in vinyl, with cloth inserts and manual adjustment. Power windows, mirrors and steering were all included, so too a central dash display that was easy to read at a glance. All ASA44R models were fitted standard with a reversing camera.

All-wheel drive versions used manual or conventional six-speed automatic transmissions in place of CVT. The cheapest AWD GX came in at $32,990 plus ORCs, but it had to be automatic. Manual AWDs were turbo-diesel only and in 2015 would cost $33,990 plus ORCs.

GXL versions were priced $4000 upstream of the equivalent GX model and added 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, folding mirrors, climate-control air-con and leather on the cabin controls.

In addition, at this level, Toyota was still asking $2500 extra for a Tech Pack of safety equipment that was becoming standard on several of the GXL’s price rivals.

Choose a top-of-the-range Cruiser with all the driver aids at $42,950 plus ORCs and a 2.5-litre petrol engine with 132kW was included. The auto 2.5 started from $45,490 and the auto-only diesel exceeded $48,000. However, their list of features did help ease buyers’ pocket pain.

At Cruiser level, the stereo had 11 speakers and a CD stacker plus digital radio reception. The seats were partially covered in leather, electrically adjustable and heated.

The cargo area lid operated by remote control and there was a power-operated sunroof. Alloy wheel size increased to 18 inches but still there was no full-size spare unless you paid for one.

Late in 2015 Toyota Australia revealed a reshaped RAV4 with enhanced systems and extra features.

Among the changes that might encourage today’s used buyers to spend extra on a 2015 update model include bigger alloy wheels on GXL versions accompanied by revised spring and shock absorber settings to address criticism of the earlier versions’ jiggly ride.

Also fitted from late 2015 to RAV4s in our market was an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system with forward collision warning, as well as active cruise control to help drivers maintain a safe following distance.

To answer that question, consult sales charts dating back almost 30 years to the time of the Toyota RAV4’s Australian arrival.

Almost immediately, the Toyota compact SUV leapt towards the top of its market segment and stayed there. Today, with even broader appeal, it outsells other SUV designs by significant margins and challenges the dual-cabs for overall market leadership.

A vehicle doesn’t consistently succeed at these levels without satisfying buyer needs, and the ground rules set when designing the RAV4 remain valid.

The design of the fourth-generation model is compact while offering surprising amounts of space. It is versatile, reliable and relatively cheap to run.

From where you sit as a driver, the RAV4 offers plenty of clear vision and one or more cameras to deal with the sections you can’t see.

The seats are well-shaped with plenty of adjustment. Headroom is exceptional and even those up the back sit high enough to enjoy a reasonable view.

Luggage space with the rear seat occupied is an exceptional 557 litres. Later models come with a useful luggage ‘hammock’ to restrain loose items, but don’t overload it.

Owners who use their RAVs on rural roads, sealed or loose, seem universally happy with the cars’ performance and handling.

The electric power steering is praised for its precision and road feel, even when off-roading, and the all-disc brakes are excellent. So too is acceleration in versions with the punchy 132kW petrol engine or the turbo-diesel.

For anyone heading into the rough stuff with their RAV4, the 17-inch wheel-and-tyre package is preferable – if only for the higher-profile tyres’ ability to absorb road shocks without damaging rims.

One issue that concerns owners of petrol-fed RAVs is fuel consumption. Highway cruising in an automatic will return 7-8L/100km but that can exceed 10L/100km in urban use. Diesels achieve a claimed average of 6.5L/100km but can get below 5.5L/100km when driven gently on the highway.

Like many rivals in the popular mid-size SUV segment, these RAV4s achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating for occupant protection. Their structure is stronger as well, with special attention paid to roof deformation in the event of a rollover.

At launch, the turbo-diesel RAV4 offered a miserable 550kg of towing capacity, however that was changed within a year to 1000kg (braked) and eventually would reach an acceptable 1500kg.

The Toyota RAV4 from this period is one of the best in a market very well supplied with vehicles of this kind.

People whose cars spend their lives on city and suburban roads will very likely choose a 2WD with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and be very happy. The more adventurous might prefer a diesel with its slugging torque curve and lockable differential that make these a surprisingly competent off-roader.

On the downside, the 4WD version costs more to buy and run. These in automatic form won’t be as effective in rougher going as the manual. However, the manual will become tedious in stop-go traffic.

Inside, the RAV is wide enough for most people and tall enough for anyone. Interiors are well finished and even the basic models keep their occupants safe and comfortable.

Toyota RAV4 (2013-18) – What to check when buying used
• Problems with clogged diesel particulate filters on Toyota’s larger diesel engines seem not to seriously afflict RAV4s. Be aware though of rough idling or increased engine speed at idle, white smoke from the exhaust and sluggish performance.
• Check for off-road damage to the underbody and exhaust system which is one of the RAV4’s most vulnerable components.
• Perform a U-turn and accelerate, listening for clicking sounds from the front-end, indicating that a constant velocity joint needs replacing. This usually occurs in higher-kilometre vehicles and isn’t a huge job, but worth noting when negotiating on a used RAV4.

Used vehicle grading for Toyota RAV4 (2013-18)
Design & Function: 17/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for Money: 14/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 72/100

Also consider: Hyundai ix35, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-TRAIL, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan