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Is a used Toyota RAV4 a good buy?
The original Toyota RAV4 was something of a revelation on its debut – after all, here was an all-wheel drive car that was usable and versatile enough to be a credible option for buyers after a nicely-rounded family car. In the years since, the Toyota RAV4 has evolved into a larger, more refined and more mature SUV.
While it’s not the most exciting car in this class to drive, the Toyota RAV4 does at least offer a comfortable and refined behind-the-wheel experience, which bodes well for buyers after an easy-going family car. Factor in the good reliability, Toyota’s reputation for reliability and the low running costs courtesy of the hybrid-only engine range, and the Toyota RAV4 makes a good case for itself as a used buy, too.
The most affordable versions of the Toyota RAV4 will be the entry-level Icon models, though if they’re within your budget we reckon the Design models are worth considering over them. They shouldn’t be too much more expensive over the Icon cars and they’ll be equipped with a few more driver aids and creature comforts. Opting for a Design model or upwards also gets you access to all-wheel drive models – Icon versions of the Toyota RAV4 were only available with front-wheel drive.
Read our full Toyota RAV4 review
Which used Toyota RAV4 should you buy?
All variants of the fifth-gen Toyota RAV4 will be self-charging hybrids that use a large 2.5-litre petrol engine; they're fairly efficient by big family SUV standards. Most of the used RAV4s you’ll find for sale on places like BuyaCar will be the conventional hybrid model, though you’ll likely also see a few plug-in hybrid models listed.
In comparison with the regular hybrid models, the plug-in hybrid versions have a bigger battery, so can drive longer distances on electric power alone, and you can recharge the battery using a public charging point (which you can’t do with the regular hybrid model).
However, the plug-in RAV4s tend to be on the pricey side and they only really make sense if you can regularly charge up the battery – if that’s not the case for you, the regular Toyota RAV4 hybrid will be more suitable.
What used Toyota RAV4 trim levels are available?
Toyota RAV4 Excel models tend to be the most popular on the used market as they come with useful extras such as heated front seats and leather seats. This is the version we'd recommend.
Toyota RAV4 Icon
Entry-level Icon versions of the Toyota RAV4 came as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, automatic windscreen wipers and a digital radio. A digital instrument display, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera were also included as standard, as were adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
If you wanted an all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4, avoid the Icon models, as these versions were only available with front-wheel drive.
Toyota RAV4 Design
Toyota RAV4 Design models fleshed out the Toyota RAV4’s spec sheet with extra kit like keyless entry, a powered tailgate, front parking sensors and built-in sat-nav. This spec is also the de-facto entry-level trim for the all-wheel drive models.
Toyota RAV4 Excel
Excel models aimed to make the Toyota RAV4 feel a bit plusher inside. As standard, this spec came with leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats in the front and a heated steering wheel. On the safety feature front, there’s blind spot monitoring and a warning system that alerts the driver of oncoming traffic when they’re reversing out of a parking spot.
Toyota RAV4 Dynamic
The Dynamic versions of the Toyota RAV4 were based on the Excel models, so both versions share the same technology and features with each other. However, Dynamic models do bring to the table a few unique cosmetic touches, such as two-tone paint, black interior headlining and a pair of sporty front seats.
Toyota RAV4 Adventure
If you’d prefer a more rugged-looking Toyota RAV4, then the Adventure models will be the way to go. These didn’t come with many mechanical upgrades over the Dynamic models, but RAV4 Adventures did at least look the part with their wheel arch extensions, new 19-inch alloy wheels and the skid plates on the front and rear bumpers.