Summary


Arriving in UK showrooms in early 2013, the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 was a mid-sized five-door SUV/crossover that was sold until 2019, including a mid-life facelift in 2016. It was replaced by the current RAV4.

The line-up consisted of a selection of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as a range-topping petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

Throughout its lifespan, the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 received below average to very good reviews from the British motoring media during its production life. The Sunday Times described it as “a solid beast with better on-road handling than most of its rivals and lots of boot space”, while The Telegraph said that it was “cheap and nasty inside, and not very pleasant to drive”.

Though the car’s interior and exterior styling was rather dull for some, reviewers generally agreed that the RAV4 had a spacious cabin which was well-equipped with on-board tech as standard, and that the SUV was comfortable to drive over long distances.

That said, several outlets reported that the range of engines available were quite noisy, particularly on cold days, and that the hybrid version was not as efficient as hybrid variants of the Nissan Qashqai and Mazda CX-5.

No longer in production, the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 holds an Expert Rating of 55%, based on 36 reviews published by the UK media.

    RAV4 highlights

    • Plenty of cabin and boot space
    • Well-equipped as standard
    • Reliability record and resale value
    • Comfortable ride and responsive handling

    RAV4 lowlights

    • Dull interior design
    • Noisy engines
    • Not as fun to drive as rivals
    • Hybrid model not all that cheap to run

    Key specifications


    Body style: Five-door SUV/crossover
    Engines: petrol, diesel, petrol-electric hybrid
    Price when new: From £22,495 on-road

    Launched: Spring 2013Last updated: Winter 2015/16
    Replaced: Winter 2018/19


    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)

    Toyota RAV4 (2013 – 2016)

    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)

    Toyota RAV4 (2013 – 2016)

    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)
    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)

    Toyota RAV4 (2016 – 2019)

    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)

    Toyota RAV4 (2016 – 2019)

    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

    +

    Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 has space and practicality on its side; and is well well-made and should prove reliable; so it’s perfect for family buyers who aren’t interested in glamorous styling or fancy tech.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2.0-litre D-4D engineScore: 6 / 10“Toyota’s upped the power from 124bhp to 141bhp. It’s not much, but it’s enough to match the 2.2’s 0-62mph sprint time of 9.6 seconds, and the engine has adequate low-down grunt.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2.2 D-4DScore: 6 / 10“The new RAV4 definitely has its merits. The boot is hugely practical, the rear seats are spacious and it has fantastic off-road ability.”
    Read review

    Auto Trader

    +

    Model reviewed: 2015Score: 7 / 10“The RAV4 has been transformed from farm runabout to city slicker – but it remains a rational purchase rather than an emotional one, despite the sharper looks.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2012-16Score: 7.2 / 10“It’s one of the most spacious and practical SUVs, but in many other ways, its rivals have caught up with it.”
    Read review

    Autocar

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    Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“Likeable Toyota RAV4 4×4 grows and matures but loses originality and still falls short of the class’s highest dynamic standards.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2.0 D-4D (2016)Score: 7 / 10“A 2016 facelift for Toyota’s RAV4 brings styling tweaks and a more efficient diesel engine, but we still think a Mazda CX-5 makes a more convincing case.”
    Read review

    Car

    +

    Model reviewed: RAV3 Hybrid Business Edition PlusScore: 4 / 10“It’s very difficult to recommend the front-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid unless outright CO2 emissions govern your decision above all else.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2.2 D-4D (2013)Score: 6 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a safe, completely inoffensive mid-sized SUV. However, as an object of desire, innovation, or driving giggles, you can do better for the money.”
    Read review

    Car Keys

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    Model reviewed: 2.0-litre IconScore: 7 / 10“The Toyota RAV4’s reluctance to completely remove itself from its off-roading roots makes it more unique than its impressive, yet plentiful, competition.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a practical entry into the compact SUV market that can do a decent job for motorists after a family motor with presence on the road.”
    Read review

    Carbuyer

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    Model reviewed: 2013-19Score: 7.2 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a practical and well equipped SUV that’s affordable to run and comes with a reassuring warranty.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is practical and safe, but its small battery puts it at a serious disadvantage next to plug-in hybrid SUVs.”
    Read review

    Carwow

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    Model reviewed: RAV4 (2015-18)“The Toyota RAV4’s a roomy family car with a spacious interior but it’s quite expensive and alternatives come with a better range of engines.”
    Read review

    Driving Electric

    +

    Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“Standard safety technology impresses, but Toyota RAV4 Hybrid struggles to live up to the brand’s reliability reputation.”
    Read review

    Fleetworld

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    Model reviewed: “Relaxed cruising for families not needing to rush, deployed correctly the RAV4 Hybrid makes a lot of sense. But the limited range could restrict driver choice.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2.0 D-4D Active 2WD“The RAV4 wears its size and the new Toyota family face really well, packaging a spacious and comfortable interior and refined, long-legged drivetrain beneath.”
    Read review

    Green Car Guide

    +

    Model reviewed: Hybrid Excel AWD 2.5L CVT TSSScore: 6 / 10“If you’re looking for a hybrid all-wheel drive SUV, then the Toyota RAV4 meets your brief.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: XT-R 2.2 D4DScore: 7 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 comes with Toyota Optimal Drive, making it one of the most efficient 4x4s.”
    Read review

    Heycar

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    Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a dependable and spacious mid-sized SUV.”
    Read review

    Honest John

    +

    Model reviewed: 2013-19Score: 6 / 10“The RAV4 is very reliable and practical, with a good boot and plenty of rear leg room.”
    Read review

    Motoring Research

    +

    Model reviewed: Hybrid“The hybrid Toyota RAV4 goes about its business with little panache, but in a (reasonably) quiet, refined manner.”
    Read review

    Motors.co.uk

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    Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“Considering the sheer size of the RAV4, it seems rather inexpensive.”
    Read review

    Parkers

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    Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 has a good reliability record and decent resale values.”
    Read review

    The Sunday Times

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    Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“The RAV4 is a solid beast with better on-road handling than most of its rivals and lots of boot space, but has a dull interior.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a car that is capable off-road (probably), decent fun on tarmac, packed with technology and versatile enough for the evolving RAV4 owner.”
    Read review

    The Telegraph

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    Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“If space is your number one priority then the Toyota RAV4 is difficult to ignore on account of its huge interior. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is also quite frugal, and it’s an easy car to drive.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: Hybrid (2016)Score: 4 / 10“Toyota’s RAV4 gains a hybrid drivetrain and a forceful new look.”
    Read review

    Top Gear

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    Model reviewed: Hybrid (2016)“The RAV4 Hybrid is the quickest of all the RAV4s.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“Not much fun to drive, but as a financial and fuel-saving choice the Toyota Auris really does take some beating.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2.0 D Active 5dr 2WDScore: 5 / 10“This might be the best way to sample the RAV4 – the smaller diesel is smoother and quieter than the 148bhp 2.2 and starts £3,000 below the cheapest AWD version.”
    Read review

    What Car?

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    Model reviewed: 2012-18Score: 6 / 10“Few could argue with the versatility of the Toyota RAV4, because it has loads of head and leg room in the front and near class-leading amounts of space in the back.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10
    “The Toyota RAV4 SUV actually pumps out less CO2 than most city-dwelling small cars.”

    Which?

    +

    Model reviewed: 2016-18“The RAV4 is so close to being a Best Buy. It’s spacious, comfortable and wonderfully frugal on fuel when driving around town.”
    Read review

    Model reviewed: 2013-18“With plenty of load space and easy access, the RAV4 is one of the most practical medium-sized SUVs.”
    Read review

    Safety rating

    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)


    No safety rating

    The fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2013 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2019 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating.

    Eco rating

    toyota rav4 (2013 – 2019)


    No eco rating

    No variants of the previous-gen Toyota RAV4 were lab tested by Green NCAP.

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      Keyword: Toyota RAV4 (2013 – 2019)

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