Toyota RAV4 Review (2006-2013)

What is the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 is the kind of car nobody should be talked out of buying. Granted, the styling is blandly inoffensive, but when it comes to reliability, running costs, and driver appeal, the RAV4 is a very fine five-seat SUV.

Anyone thinking of buying a Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, or Nissan Qashqai would do well to consider a used Toyota RAV4 as a worthy alternative.

The third-generation model, reviewed here, was sold between 2006 and 2013 and replaced by the fourth-generation model in 2013.

How practical is it?

Ditching the three-door signalled a shift in priorities with the third-gen car, moving away from the lively character of the first- and second-generation cars to a more practical design. Growing in every dimension, the new RAV4 offered buyers more interior space, particularly on rear legroom. It became a more family-friendly car as a result.

There's plenty of space in the back of the mk3 RAV4, so adults can travel comfortably. At 586 litres with the rear seats up and 1,469 when they're folded down, boot space is healthy, too.

However, the side-hinged tailgate can be a pain in tight parking spaces. There are sound reasons why almost all rivals have tailgates hinged from the roof...

What's it like to drive?

Toyota didn't give customers a huge choice of engines, launching with a 148bhp 2.0 VVT-i petrol engine. It's smooth and refined, but needs plenty of revs. This engine was upgraded to a 156bhp 2.0 Valvematic unit in 2009, although the need for plenty of revs remained.

Although not as smooth as the petrols, the 2.2 D-4D diesels are better for high-mileage driving, and are certainly the better choice for towing a caravan or trailer. Early versions had 134bhp, but plenty of pulling power. From the 2009 model year the engine had 148bhp, but lower emissions and better economy. It was badged D-CAT rather than D-4D when matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota also offered the RAV4 with the 175bhp T180 2.2 D-4D diesel engine. The most powerful diesel has much livelier acceleration than the rest of the range, and copes really well with a car that's fully loaded with people and luggage.

Both the original and second-generation RAV4 models were great to drive, and were among the first SUVs to move away from being off-roaders and concentrate on road-going ability. The third-gen continued in the same vein; you won't want to chase a Land Rover up a rutted byway in one. But the flipside is that the RAV4 handles very well on the road. Perhaps it doesn't have the nimble feel of the earlier cars, but it's more fun than a Honda CR-V.

Whether you pick a front-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive, the RAV4 rides firmly. And although the petrol engines in particular are very quiet, there's a lot of road noise at speed. A Land Rover Freelander 2 is a better choice if you value comfort and quiet over handling prowess.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The RAV4's safety equipment and driver aids were up to a high level by the standards of the time. From March 2007, Integrated Active Drive (combining Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control) was an option on the XT3 specification, and standard on all other RAV4 trim levels.

Nine airbags were standard across the board from the third-generation RAV4's launch, including a driver's knee airbag – the first time this safety feature had been standard in an SUV of this size, according to Toyota. The front seats were designed to reduce the risk of whiplash, with improved support in rear impacts.

The RAV4 is a safe car, and compares well with any SUV of similar age. It scored four out of five for adult occupant protection when tested by Euro NCAP in 2006.

Toyota RAV4 running costs

We'd spend our money on the 148bhp diesel, which best combines performance, fuel economy and low emissions. When first introduced in 2009 this engine delivered class-leading efficiency, with an official combined figure of 48.7mpg and emissions of just 154g/km.

To put that in perspective, that makes this 4WD model more economical than a contemporary Volkswagen Tiguan 2WD.

Of course, the official figures can be tough to match in real-world conditions. But mpg in the low to mid 40s should be achievable.

The earlier diesel, with 134bhp, is a little thirstier than its replacement. However, compared with other five-seat SUVs from the mid-2000s, an official combined figure of 42.8mpg is very impressive.

Pick the more powerful T180, and the official combined figure is 40.4mpg. Everyday economy of high 30s mpg is within reach without too much restraint.

Petrol versions of the RAV4 are generally more affordable to buy on the used market, but will cost a lot more to fuel. The early 2.0 VVT-i with 148bhp has an official combined figure of 32.8mpg. Opting for one of the automatic models will cost you more at the pumps, with the official combined dropping to 31.4mpg. On the road rather than in laboratory tests, you'll be lucky to achieve 30mpg.

Just remember, it's a choice of petrol or diesel power with this age of RAV4. The 2.5-litre petrol engine RAV4 hybrid versions, which came complete with an electric motor, didn't arrive until the fourth generation.

Insurance premiums should be reasonably affordable. Petrols are rated in insurance groups 20 to 25 depending on the exact spec. The diesels are similar, ranging from group 22 to group 27 for the T180 and the SR180 models.

Toyota runs the 5- Club to encourage owners of cars over five years old to have their cars serviced within the franchised network. It's free to join, and offers a 20% discount on servicing and MOT work. That's a healthy saving on the regular price, but we'd still compare the cost with what a non-franchised specialist would charge before committing.

Toyota RAV4 reliability

What goes wrong with the third-generation Toyota RAV4? Not a lot. Toyota car reviews often mention Toyota's reputation for reliability, and hassle-free durability is one of the RAV4's advantages over most rivals.

Back when it was new, the RAV4 was highly rated in owner satisfaction surveys. Many years down the road, it continues to perform well in reliability studies.

Even a very reliable car like the Toyota RAV4 can suffer the odd problem, however. Some owners report problems with dual-mass flywheels. Look out for vibrations through the clutch pedal when you take a test drive.

Listen out for a clonking noise from the steering. This could be something as simple as a loose wheel nut, or it could point to a worn intermediate steering shaft.

If you notice a vibration through the steering wheel or the brake pedal when slowing down, it could be a sign of warped brake discs. Replacing the rotors isn't too expensive, but you can use it to chip away at the asking price of any used RAV4 you are thinking of buying.

As we've mentioned, although most RAV4 models have 4x4, these aren't the toughest of SUVs. So take a look under the car to check for any signs of over-enthusiastic off-roading. Even the AWD RAV4 can get out of its depth quickly on a bumpy byway.