2008 Toyota RAV4 consumer reviews

I have a AWD, V-6. It has great accelleration, superb braking, and decent gas mileage (26+ mpg highway). Interior comfort just doesn't work for me. I just find the leather seats uncomfortable and the controls too confusing. I need simple dials and sliding switches. When driving, the digital stuff is too complicatd. Also, this is a small SUV, so many aspects are small, from the steering wheel to the seats. Also, consisdering I got almost the top of the line model, Toyota seems to have left a few things off, like a light in the cargo area that comes on automatically when you open the door. Duh!! Or a warning bell that tells you your blinker has been on for 12 miles. It also doesn't need radio controls on the steering wheel. It's a small vehicle after all and the real radio controls are only 3 inches away. But it handles well, accellerates great, and can be fun to drive.

I owned a V8 Ford Explorer before buying a 4-cyl. Rav4 recently. I love the Rav 4. It has plenty of power for the highway. I was very surprised by that. Braking is very responsive and has already saved me from one fender bender! The dashboard is very nice. The leather seats feel great although we haven't yet taken a long trip in the car. My only complaint is that some of the interior controls and center console feel a little on the cheap side... if they upgraded a few, this car would be perfect.

I cannot say enough about this SUV! 4cyl is fast, the gas mileage is awesome, but the best part is the handling with the awful winter we have had, it is like a TANK on even the worst roads! I drive all country roads to get to my job, and have not had one problem. Got a good deal, and would highly recommend to anyone who wants a reliable compact AWD vehicle. I purchased in Nov. of last year, and was a bit hesitant. NOT NOW, I am hooked totally and would definitely buy it again!!!!

I drive the 2008 RAV4 Limited and love it! It is the best vehicle I have owned and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable, safe and fuel efficient vehicle. I have a long commute and find it comfortable, it handles great on the highway and back roads, and is pretty good overall on fuel. I find if I keep it to 65 on the highway my mileage is 26+ MPG, a little less if I put the pedal to the metal. Which, by the way has a lot of zip. I would definitely look at another one when my lease is up in 2 years.

Owned it a week. Researched all the websites to get a general view of the small CUV'S. I have owned 5 other Toyotas in the past, all great cars.JBL system is subpar to say the least($900 option)Can't see the dash in bright sunlight(Florida)Tire pressure light stays on no matter what you do. No sat system even though it says sat compatible($600) Extra equipment to get this means ripping out your brand new dash and snakeing an antenna wire to the back of the vehicle(front seats must be removed to do this)and they mount the sat antenna on your dash!Every other cuv I looked at had a sat system standard on the base stereo Please be wary of this vehicle

I'm 6'2'' and haven't noticed it being to small. In fact, the cargo room is great. Had to move and I could fit all of my stuff from college in it. Also great in 4wheel drive conditions, I wouldn't take it off roading but for skiing and mountain biking it will get you almost everywhere. Base model has all of the things you need, but then again I'm still going to college, maybe I'm not picky. Great automobile, V6 has tons of power Miles per gallon, I get around 21 or 22 around town, driving down with it packed to the brim and a bike on top on the highway got 22 MPG I don't know how it usually fares.

I am very disappointed with certain aspects of this vehicle. I will say the build quality and sport suspension are excellent, as is the performance of the 4 cylinder here in flat Florida. However..... I really feel Toyota has done a very poor design job on certain important areas of this car /vehicle. Because of this, I suggest you take a good hard look at it before you even consider purchasing one. Don't be over 6 foot tall, otherwise you will find the driver's compartment very very "tight". You might expect that the seats would slide back extra far, as the rear seat is adjustable fore and aft, but that sadly is not the case. The front seat comfort is terrible!!! You need a back support cushion, (I have bought 3 and never owned one before this purchase) however the seat bottom is so short that when you use one of these supports you are pushed forward . This now renders what little thigh support the seats offer gone. The control panel on the door has a fairly sharp edge that cuts into your leg if you have it nearby. The elbow rest is rock hard, If it is very sunny, don't put on sunglasses as you wont be able to see the dashboard. At night you will be blinded if anyone tries to read a map by the overhead light. I don't want to sound like a whiner, but that is what the radio does if you plug an IPOD or satellite radio into the power while you are driving. (really annoying). The cup holders with the rubber inserts seem like an afterthought. If you move to the utility aspect, the rear door is hinged on the "curb side" of the car,which makes unloading very difficult. The cargo light is on the door, so if the door is open, it illuminates the street, not the storage compartment. As the rear window does not open, anything that does not fit inside (a length of pipe or 2x4) must be strapped to the roof. The rear seat does not fold flat as in most other vehicles of this style and the front passenger seat back does not fold down, so longer items can not be put inside. There are other aspect of this vehicle that are also are negative or disappointing, however this is enough to have you take a good hard look before purchasing. Now as I said the build is fine and the Sport model suspension is great, however the front seat comfort alone should be enough to kill lots of potential purchases.

Not a 4 wheel drive, well only up to 25 mph kicks out, should go to 50 mph, should have been told by dealer found out after reading owners manual, needs mileage meter, memory seats, dual power seats, and auto lights on, but for the most part great car, hold on to the steering wheel if a V6, cars a rocket. Bought the limited V6 and right out of the box 26 mpg highway, the spare on rear is a little tacky, would buy again, seats no problem and I have very bad back. Wife says fits her better than the Lexus ES she had

Owned it since Dec. 2007. 1st Toyota. Husband has 2002 CRV. We both prefer the RAV4. The 6 cylinder is very peppy. Others have complained about driver seat room - or lack of due to the power seat. Perfect for me but that would be the only complaint. Have a portable GPS - don't need built in. I love the bluetooth built in. Great safety feature. Looking forward to driving it for many years!

Bought second hand with a V6. The engine is quite but very powerful. Gas pedal takes time to get used to. Occasional uncertainty when shifting gears. Minor rattling on patchy road. Love almost every aspects of the car, except for the front seats and the minor rattling.