Used Toyota RAV4 2000 - 2006 review

The first Toyota RAV4 was a groundbreaker in the SUV market, and one of the first compact 4x4s the public really switched on to.

This second-generation version kept much of the funky styling and enjoyable dynamics of the first-generation car, but it was also a more practical proposition. The focus was on the five-door version with its sensible boot and frugal diesel engine. Unsurprisingly, fewer buyers bought the cramped three-door car.

To drive, the RAV4 is a typical Toyota – light steering keeps it from being engaging, but it corners well and has good ride comfort over bumps and bad surfaces.

The engines, both petrol and diesel, will seem a little slow and noisy to those used to more modern cars, but they have the benefit of reliability and are no worse than their contemporaries.

While the RAV4 generally depreciates quite slowly, the earliest examples of this generation are still old enough to be in 'banger' territory, so £1,000, or even slightly less, can buy you a three-door example from 2000. You’ll pay slightly more for a five-door: £1200-£1500 for a good one from 2000 or early 2001.

You won’t pay much more than that for a 2003 five-door – £1900-£2100 for a really nice one with history – but the strength of the RAV4’s residuals is really reflected in the later, 2005 models. You’ll still need to pay as much as £6000, or even £6500, for a really good, low-mileage diesel RAV4 of this age with a full service history.

The diesel engine, with its 39mpg official fuel economy, should by rights be the cheapest RAV4 to run, but it’s not that simple. The 2.0 D-4D has high CO2 emissions (190g/km), so you’re going to pay £270 a year for road tax.

The 1.8-litre petrol can manage only 32mpg at best, but it has CO2 emissions of 175g/km – hardly exceptional, but low enough to save you £60 a year in tax. For those doing mostly short, urban journeys it’s certainly worth considering, expecially given that you’re likely to pay more for a diesel in the first place.

Servicing at Toyota main dealers shouldn’t be too expensive, but it’s worth remembering that the brakes need replacing or re-surfacing every second major service and that some parts (notably for the exhaust) have never been sent out to pattern makers, so you can only buy original Toyota-branded replacements – and these can be pricey.

First off, the three-door is best avoided unless you are a singleton looking for a cheap runabout. As a family car it’s close to useless, as it only has space for two very small people in the back (and not in much comfort come to that), and a pointlessly tiny boot.

The five-door RAV4, with its extra legroom and a boot that can swallow large suitcases is a much more sensible proposition, and hence was always the more popular model when this RAV4 was on sale.

Even basic NV models came with air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes and electric front windows, but you’ll have to upgrade to a high-spec VX or XT5 model if you want leather seats, a sunroof and a CD autochanger.

Our favourite used Toyota RAV4: 2.0 D-4D XT5 5dr

The Land Rover Freelander is the most obvious rival to the RAV4, and the closest conceptually, with its three-door and five-door versions. Stylish and good to drive, it’s undone by disappointing reliability.

The Honda CR-V was into its second-generation model at this time, and while it lacks a sporty three-door version, it’s a sensible, spacious and hugely reliable choice. You could even get Honda’s excellent 2.2-litre diesel engine towards the end of the car’s life life.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is also worth considering, especially given that it can be had as either a three-door or five-door, and it’s quite similar to the RAV4 in terms of overall reliability and interior layout. It never felt as sophisticated as the RAV4, though, and is not as precise to drive.

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