Toyota Rav4 road tests and consumer car reviews

Toyota Rav4 2003

Loved it until I heard a little rattle that turned out to be the duel mass fly wheel, which cost £ 1,700 to put right. If you google ’rattle Toyota’, all d4d engines suffer the same problem.

Responses to this review

Had to have new fly wheel on my 2002 D-4/d three years ago and now been told new turbo charger and E-VRV costing approx £1,700. Love my Rav but surely it cannot be worth the outlay - Vicky Poulsomv from Hampshire

Agree. My wife’s 4D4 clutch gave out suddenly - in a torrential downpour in Hastings. Everything you don’t want all at once. And at only 52,000 miles? The bill was going to be £1,700 so we bought a new Rav4 instead. Pricey but worth it (we hope). Otherwise, I like it, good road manners, good for towing sheep trailer and good all round family lugger. But, buy fairly new or be prepared to spend a good deal of money when it goes wrong - Tony Greener from Sussex

Toyota Rav4 2010

This sucks! I keep getting a problem with the brake system. Now I have a new 2011 Dodge Durango. I love it, so comfortable. I won’t buy Toyota anymore, there’s always a problem with the brake system.

Responses to this review

I’ve never had any problems. Great car, great dealers, if I had there is no way without a gun to my head that I would buy a Dodge. No offence intended - Sandy MacLennan from Ross and Cromarty Shires

Why am I not surprised to hear another American complain about the brakes on a Toyota? What a load of rubbish. There are no problems with the brakes at all. The only thing I would do with a Dodge is just that; dodge it! - Dylan Williams from Wrexham

As they say "only in America". Would anyone buy a Dodge in preference to a Toyota? Come to think of it, America is about the only place you can buy a Dodge! I wonder why? - George Campbell from East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)

Toyota Rav4 3dr NRG 2001

I have owned my RAV for just over a year and having owned a multitude of cars, this is by far my best buy. Admittedly a little small when full of children and the dog, it is totally reliable, solid, zippy, economical and great fun to drive. In the snow its been a godsend, achieving hills that other large 4x4s have struggled with. I would certainly stick with the RAV and get another.

Toyota Rav4 XTR 2010

I needed to urgently replace my aging Subaru Legacy and the only diesel 4x4 with a CO below 160gm available for immediate delivery was the RAV4, I took delivery at the end of October 2010. The car basically does what it says on the tin, the handling is fine, ride a bit hard, but the build quality, climate control and kit fitted as standard is first class. Although I have read reports of the engine being gruff, I find it very smooth, powerful and quiet - the clutch/gearbox is smooth and easy to make good changes. The fuel consumption is a bit disappointing, I get 43 mpg on the same journey that I regularly got 50 mpg from my diesel Subaru, which had exactly the same CO2 and combined figures as the RAV 4. Dealers seem a bit patchy, one I bought from was superb, local dealer is rubbish - does not ring you back and you can hang on for ages before they answer the phone and put you through to the wrong person. I am not keen on the side opening rear door, but the vehicle has good inside space and passengers seem happy. I found the headlights very poor, perhaps because I had xenon on the Subaru - have had a xenon conversion, but they are still not great. All said, the RAV4 is good value for money, the 5 year guarantee now matches the Koreans and it is starting to grow on me - I like the restrained styling and trim, the feeling of solidity and the conventional handbrake, indicators etc - my MD dislikes his new BMW 5 series because of mass of silly gimmicks and having driven it a couple of times, I am glad to get back in my RAV 4, which has an old fashioned almost old Mercedes like build and feels as if it will last forever.

Toyota Rav4 2005

We have had a lot of trouble. First the turbo, now the clutch. Will never buy Toyota again.

Toyota Rav4 GX 1996

Great wee Jeep, done over 130k now, owned for 3 years and still going. On the road handles like a hot hatch and can go pretty fast. Engine is a bit thirsty, but there is some big tyres on it that probably help to drink the juice. Taken up rough tracks and off road on a regular basis, small and agile and can get places where I have seen fancier jeeps come a cropper. A wee beauty.

Toyota Rav4 2009

My diesel Rav4 is currently averaging 42 mpg . It is a 3 door version with little room for rear seat passengers. The large rear door creates a problem when loading if raining.

Toyota Rav4 RAV4 XT-R 2.2D-4D 5Dr 2008

On a test drive I was delighted with the car - everything about it is good. I have one minus point - SatNav only on certain Rav4 - should be included when you have the facility already there. Awaiting for car now on 58 Reg.

Toyota Rav4 4x4 1999

She’s a babe! Driven her all the way to Bulgaria! Very safe car! I love her to bits but can be a bit juicey at times, but what a kick when in O.D.

Toyota Rav4 xt4 auto 2006

Found to be very poor on fuel mpg, only 22 at best, no better. On a run I have been told it will get better when it has done more miles . It is now at 8,000 and I am still waiting. Otherwise a very good car, have had the diesel and now have the petrol as they don’t make a auto in diesel.

Toyota Rav4 2.2D-4D T180 5 dr

Delighted so far with this car. Very good interior design, everything where you want it to be and very comfortable for the whole family to travel in. Very nice to drive.