Used Toyota RAV4 2019-2026 review
The Toyota RAV4 is a highly practical and extremely reliable family SUV that makes for an eminently sensible used buy.
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What's the used Toyota RAV4 like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Mark Pearson & George Hill
Updated: 21 August 2026
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What's the used Toyota RAV4 like?
Consistency is something many of us will be looking for given the constant uncertainties of our modern world, so it's nice to know that the two previous generations of Toyota RAV4 are amongst the most dependable used cars you can buy, according to our What Car? Reliability Survey data.
What's more, the refinements made to this 2019-2026 Toyota RAV4 make it an even more compelling used option against its fellow family SUV rivals than its predecessors were.
Overview
The Toyota RAV4 is a highly practical SUV and should cost buttons to run. Plus, reliability will no doubt prove to be exemplary. It is more expensive to buy relative to some of its fellow large SUV rivals, but you do get a lot of equipment and safety tech for your money, and the low fuel consumption helps to offset some of that expense.
Pros
- Strong reliability record
- Excellent fuel economy for a family SUV
- Plenty of equipment
Cons
- Early examples do without full smartphone connectivity
- Ride is on the firm side
- Pricey compared with some rivals
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2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD 5dr
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£1,650
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2.0 D-4D XT4 4WD 5dr
£1,795
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2.0 D-4D XT2 4WD 5dr
£1,890
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2.0 VVT-i VX 4WD 5dr
£1,990
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2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD Euro 4 5dr
£2,250
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2.0 VVT-i NRG 4WD 3dr
£2,275
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2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD Euro 5 5dr
£2,390
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£2,400
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Engines and performance: What differentiates the RAV4 from most of its rivals is that it is available as an ordinary hybrid with a single 2.5-litre petrol engine option or as a 302bhp plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version.
The regular hybrid has 215bhp in front-wheel drive form or 219bhp with four-wheel drive. Each is paired with a CVT gearbox that works well at town speeds, but can send engine revs soaring when accelerating hard outside the city limits.
Ride and handling: While there is a dedicated EV (electric vehicle) button, don't expect to get all that far on electric power alone in the regular hybrid version. However, driven smoothly, you should be able to filter through heavy traffic without using the engine much, thus saving fuel and keeping things nicely hushed.
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The electric motor in the PHEV is powerful enough to take the RAV4 to motorway speeds without the petrol engine joining in, and we managed more than 30 miles on volts alone during our varied test route (Toyota claims 46 miles, further than the equivalent Ford Kuga and Range Rover Evoque). The regular hybrid version won’t take you far on electric power alone. Even with its electric vehicle (EV) mode selected, you’ll be lucky to go more than a few hundred yards before the 2.5-litre petrol engine takes over.
Ride comfort isn't brilliant in either, mind, because it tends to thud over potholes and expansion joints, and never feels as well controlled as the Honda CR-V - a fellow rival that can also be had as a hybrid.
Also, the CR-V is less bothered by the additional weight of its battery pack, an issue in the RAV4 that makes it feel less willing to change directions on a twisty road than its rival. The RAV4 also isn't as quiet once up to speed on the motorway compared with the Honda due to higher levels of wind and road noise.
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Interior and practicality: It's not all doom and gloom because the sat-nav system, various trip computer functions, and hybrid displays in the RAV4 are far easier to operate than they are in the CR-V. Plus the RAV4 has plenty of pleasingly chunky controls that feel unbreakable.
Visibility is generally excellent and the standard reversing camera is a boon for parking. Only the tallest of people will have issues finding a comfortable driving position, and there are lots of storage spaces to take your detritus. There's more rear leg room than you'll find in a Mazda CX-5, and it's broad enough for most. If you need more room, you'll need a Peugeot 5008 with its three individual rear seats and the added benefit of two flip out seats in the boot.
Speaking of the boot, while the CR-V has a flatter load area than the RAV4 with the seats folded, but the Toyota has a bigger boot overall.
Trims and equipment: There are five different trim levels starting with Icon that has 17in alloys, LED headlights, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, plus an 8in infotainment system with a reversing camera. Mid-range Design unlocks sat-nav on that screen and adds front parking sensors, an electric tailgate, and bigger 18in wheels.
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Excel has larger still 19in wheels plus heated front seats and steering wheel. But the important bits are the extra safety tech such as blindspot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Dynamic is a sportier version of this with more heavily bolstered front seats and a black roof. This was later updated to GR Sport.
Finally, Black Edition would be Bruce Wayne's family car because it's only available in black with matching colour wheels and exterior trim. There is also a 360deg camera system, an upgraded sound system and an auto brake feature added to the rear cross-traffic alert system.
Facelift: The RAV4 was given a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, with new LED headlights, redesigned LED fog lights, updated alloy wheel choices and revised trim levels. A new infotainment system and digital driver's display were also added.
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"It has a certain ruggedness about it, the RAV4, that I really like. It's a car for Wellington boots, but it'll also do Glyndebourne." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
If you're interested in finding a used Toyota RAV4, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.
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Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used Toyota RAV4 will I get for my budget?
Around £16,000 will get you an early RAV4 hybrid with less than 80,000 miles on the clock. Higher trims and PHEVs cost north of £18,000, while 2021 and 2022 models cost around £20,000. Spend upwards of £22,000 on 2023 cars and £28,000 on 2024 models. Have a budget of at least £30,000 for 2025 or 2026 cars.
Check the value of a used Toyota RAV4 with What Car? Valuations
Find a used Toyota RAV4 for sale here
How much does cost to run a Toyota RAV4?
MPG
There isn't much difference, on paper, between the economy figures for a front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive RAV4. The former has a combined figure of 50.4mpg, while the latter gets 48.7mpg.
The PHEV has a much higher figure of 282.4mpg, but this will require you to charge it regularly and use the petrol engine sparingly in order to achieve anything close to that.
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Road tax (VED)
The PHEV RAV4 will get hit with a luxury car tax bill because it costs over the £40,000 threshold, and applies from the second year of registration until the vehicle is six years old. The current flat rate fee is £200 a year, but the luxury car tax is £440 a year. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.
Servicing
No RAV4 of this generation is old enough (over five years of age) yet to qualify for discounted servicing at a Toyota dealer. There are service plans you can buy online to help spread the costs, though. Servicing is required annually or every 10,000 miles.
Warranty
From new, every RAV4 comes with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. However, this can be topped up by an extra year for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles if the car is serviced annually at an official dealer. This makes it one of the longest warranties in the business, being more generous than those from Hyundai and Kia.
Reliability
According to real-world owner feedback from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, the RAV4 is an exceptionally dependable used choice. Most owners report zero issues, with the few reported problems limited to minor, non-engine electronic glitches or interior trim noises rather than major mechanical failures. Toyota dealers earn high marks for fast, effective warranty repairs, though occasional parts delays were noted.
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To find out more about used Toyota RAV4 reliability, including fault breakdowns and rival comparisons, head over to our dedicated reliability page.
Tips & Advice
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Toyota RAV4 should I buy?
Engine
Although we love the PHEV version, it is still pricey on the used forecourts, which would drive us towards the regular version. You can opt for front-wheel drive for better economy on the regular 2.5 RAV4, or four-wheel drive if your circumstances require the additional traction that this model provides in slippery conditions.
Trims
We'd suggest going for the Design model to get a little bit more kit and, above all else, get front parking sensors. This is a big car to have to fit into a car park.
Our favourite Toyota RAV4: 2.5 Design
Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Toyota RAV4?
The closest rival to the RAV4 would be the Honda CR-V because it can also be had as a spacious five-seat hybrid. The CR-V is the nicer of the two to drive due to a more progressive feeling brake pedal and consistently weighted steering that allows you to accurately place the vehicle in a bend. It'll be no good for towing a big caravan, though: its limit is only 750kg.
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If fuel bills aren't too much of a concern, petrol models of the Mazda CX-5 have proven to be very dependable. So while you will fork out more in running costs, the CX-5 should be a very reliable choice, plus it has a plusher interior and easier to navigate infotainment system.
If you're interested in finding a used Toyota RAV4, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.
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How reliable is the Toyota RAV4 ?
Reliability rating: 98.3%
Toyota RAV4
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Toyota RAV4
2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD 5dr
£1,495
Toyota RAV4
2.2 D-4D XT4 4WD 5dr
£1,650
Toyota RAV4
2.0 D-4D XT4 4WD 5dr
£1,795
Toyota RAV4
2.0 D-4D XT2 4WD 5dr
£1,890
Toyota RAV4
2.0 VVT-i VX 4WD 5dr
£1,990
Toyota RAV4
2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD Euro 4 5dr
£2,250
Toyota RAV4
2.0 VVT-i NRG 4WD 3dr
£2,275
Toyota RAV4
2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD Euro 5 5dr
£2,390
Toyota RAV4
2.2 D-4D XT-R 4WD Euro 4 5dr
£2,400
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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