Used Toyota RAV4 for sale: everything you need to know

The Toyota RAV4 is a long-running lifestyle SUV that set the template for this class of car back in the mid-1990s. There have been multiple generations since, each better and more sophisticated than the last. It’s a safe choice for those looking to buy a capable and commodious used family SUV. 

The Toyota RAV4 competes with strong-selling rivals such as the Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan. While those models offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains alongside regular petrol and diesel versions, Toyota has gone all-in on hybrid. You can’t buy a Toyota RAV4 of this generation that isn’t electrified. 

This gives the long-established SUV a unique selling point, which helps set it apart at the more expensive end of the family SUV sector. Take a look at a Toyota RAV4 for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer.

Should you buy a Toyota RAV4? 

The Toyota RAV4 has developed from a sporty, lifestyle-led two-door crossover into a genuinely practical and grown-up family-focused five-seat SUV. It’s based on the latest Toyota underpinnings, which provide plenty of space-efficient practicality and excellent safety credentials. 

Being a fully-hybrid line-up means all Toyota RAV4s should deliver impressive real-world fuel economy. The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in can travel for more than 45 miles in pure electric mode, which contributes to exceptional on-paper fuel economy.

Regular hybrid versions of the Toyota RAV4 are also impressive, though. They still switch to electric mode surprisingly often, which helps cut fuel consumption as well as inner-city emissions. Alongside the normal front-wheel-drive Toyota RAV4 hybrid, there's an all-wheel-drive version, called AWD-i, with an additional rear axle motor. The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in has AWD-i as standard. 

This Toyota RAV4 line-up should offer something for everyone. Core models are well equipped, and there’s a trio of range-topping versions now: luxurious Excel, sporty Dynamic and lifestyle-look Adventure. The Adventure in particular is very charismatic, and available in some distinctive colour combinations. 

With the promise of excellent reliability backed up by a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, the Toyota RAV4 is certain to prove a stress-free car to live with. Even as more models enter this sector, the strong and solid reputation of the Toyota RAV4, backed up by wide-ranging abilities, ensure it still stands out as a good choice to add to your shortlist.

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What's the best used Toyota RAV4 model to buy?

The Toyota RAV4 has only one engine so the choice is easy – you’ll want the 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.

The basic Toyota RAV4 Icon is well equipped but it’s worth considering the popular RAV4 Excel. It sits near the top of the range and adds features that’ll be handy if you have a family, such as keyless entry and a posh-looking leather interior that’ll be easy to keep clean.  

Toyota RAV4 Excel models also get additional safety features that can warn you of cars hidden in the blind spot and a system that can emergency brake if you try to reverse out of perpendicular parking space into oncoming traffic.

Used Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and performance

These generation of Toyota RAV4 offers a fully hybrid model range, all using the same 2.5-litre ‘Atkinson cycle’ engine and CVT automatic transmission. Buyers can choose from regular ‘self-charging’ hybrid or full plug-in hybrid versions. 

• Toyota RAV4 2.5 hybrid petrol: The 215PS 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is not turbocharged, but does run on the super-efficient Atkinson cycle. It feels no different to a normal engine, until you clock the fuel economy – it averages up to 50.4mpg. The CVT automatic transmission is seamless and CO2 emissions from 126g/km are impressive for such a spacious five-seat SUV. 
• Toyota RAV4 2.5 hybrid AWD-i petrol: Adding an electric motor to the rear axle gives the Toyota RAV4 all-wheel-drive capability. It’s still really economical, though, averaging up to 48.7mpg in the official test. It has a little extra overall power (219PS), so the 0-62mph time drops from 8.4 seconds to 8.1 seconds. 
• Toyota RAV4 2.5 Plug-in hybrid petrol: The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in uses the same 2.5-litre engine, but the more powerful electric motors give a total system power of 306PS. Zero to 62mph takes just 6.0 seconds as a result. CO2 emissions of 22g/km (and official fuel economy of 282.5mpg) reflect the large 18.1kWh rechargeable batteries, which offer a 46-mile pure electric range. 

If you want a diesel-engined Toyota RAV4, you need to look at the previous-generation model; the latest car has only ever been available with a hybrid powertrain. The previous Toyota RAV4, sold between 2013 and 2019, is also an opportunity to secure a more affordable hybrid introduced in 2015. 

What used Toyota RAV4 trim levels are available?

A broad range of trim levels can be had with the Toyota RAV4. They’re all well-equipped, while range-topping versions offer three different takes: luxury, sport or lifestyle. 

• The Toyota RAV4 Icon is the entry-level Toyota RAV4 and comes with a good level of standard features, plus the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense active safety package to help avoid accidents and collisions. 
• The Toyota RAV4 Design builds on Icon spec with larger alloy wheels, a handy electric tailgate, and keyless entry. 
• The Toyota RAV4 Excel is the luxury Toyota RAV4 grade. The standard specification includes leather upholstery, heated front seats and an electric driver’s seat. It also has eye-catching 19-inch alloy wheels. 
• The Toyota RAV4 Dynamic is a sportier take on Design grade. It too has 19-inch alloys, plus eye-catching bi-metallic paint and, inside, smart sports seats, and a black roof lining. 
• The Toyota RAV4 Dynamic Plus is a version only available on the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in, and builds on standard Dynamic trim with some extra goodies including a panoramic glass roof and ventilated front seats. 
• The Toyota RAV4 Adventure is a ‘lifestyle’ version of the Toyota RAV4, with a more rugged exterior appearance that includes wider wheelarches. It looks bolder inside as well, with contrast stitching for the synthetic leather seats.

Used Toyota RAV4 dimensions and boot size

The Toyota RAV4’s exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 4,600mm
• Width: 1,855mm
• Height: 1,685mm (Plug-in: 1,690mm)
• Ground clearance: 195mm (Plug-in: 190mm)

The Toyota RAV4’s boot space is:

• 580 litres (Plug-in: 520 litres)
• 1,690 litres with rear seats folded (Plug-in: 1,604 litres)

Used Toyota RAV4 road tax

If you choose one of the self-charging hybrid versions of the Toyota RAV4, in either two- or four-wheel drive forms, you'll pay road tax at £180 per year. Some versions will also require you to stump up an additional £390 each year until the car is five-years old as they had a new list price of £40,000 or more. That extra fee applies to the plug-in hybrid model due to its original price, though it does qualify for a £10 discount on the standard £180 road tax charge.

How much is it to insure a Toyota RAV4? 

The Toyota RAV4’s insurance ratings reflect its upmarket status and technology-packed hybrid powertrain. The entry-level Icon grade opens with a group 25 insurance rating (out of 50 groups in total), moving up to group 28 for the Dynamic. All-wheel-drive AWD-i models start at group 28 for the Design, while the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in is categorised from group 34 upwards. 

Read our full Toyota RAV4 review