2010 Toyota RAV4 consumer reviews

I was moving across the country, and the Rav4 was perfect as it had the most cargo volume in its class (36 cubic feet with the backseats up, and 70 with them down - both are tops in the compact crossover SUV segment). Since purchasing the vehicle 10 months ago, I've now put on almost 10,000 miles on it. My FWD 4 cylinder model is EPA rated for 22/28 mpg, and in my real world experience I find it hard to achieve city driving of 22 mpg on an entire tank. Perhaps more like 18 to 20 mpg. On my cross country road trip, though, I was able to many times break 30 mpg on highway trips. In fact, my best tank clocked in at 32.5 mpg - pretty good. So maybe my experience of mileage is around 19/30. One thing to note - the on board mileage calculator is probably a bit generous. My own fill up measurements usually register around 1 or 2 miles lower. The interior of the Rav4 is very ergonomic - everything where it should be, and nothing distracts from the road. There are lots of little storage areas for phones, maps, paperwork, coins, pens, cameras, etc. However, I felt that the back seat headrests are a little firm and flat, while the front seats are very cushioned and much more comfortable. One good thing though is that the back seats recline - which is a feature not always able to be had on some other SUVs. The Rav4 is very agile and has a great turning radius. The acceleration is very sensitive and responsive at low speeds, which means the car is very quick coming out of a light or stop sign. At highway speeds, passing power a little less as good, though still adequate. Going up hills requires the engine to rev a bit. Visibility is excellent for the most part. I feel the A pillars are a bit big, and I have to pay attention to check the sides at intersections as pedestrians on the crosswalk may get hidden in them. Overall, I thought my purchase was an excellent value. I would recommend to those looking for lots of interior room on a budget, who are willing to sacrifice a luxurious pampering interior for a more utilitarian ergonomic small SUV that is very practical, quick, and fuel efficient compared to other cars that can deliver similar cargo volume.

If you get this car make sure you get one with the upgraded stereo sound system already in the vehicle. The base stereo sucks. Also, had to have at least 3 Nav units replaced on this car. I really can not blame Toyota for this. I took the car to Car Toys and it really was not a better place to go. I finally got the stereo fixed by a dealership aftermarket stereo place and since then have been very happy with this small SUV. It gets 31MPG at 70MPH on the freeway. Thats a very impressive MPG considering that this is the 3.5 motor. The only anoying thing on this car is that the climate system automatically defaults to recercerculating air when the temp is reduced to it's lowest setting. It's irritating to constantly have to take the car off recerculate especially on a hot day when you don't want to run the AC.

I have owned the SUV for 6 months now from new. Only had two items needing correction a loose rearview mirrow screw. And a window rubber seal got caught when I rolled it up. They where easily fixed by the dealer The car came with no charge maintanence for 2yrs and 0% interest for 5yrs. We bought the V-6 Sport model with 4 wheel drive with run flat tires. Between the sport suspension and the run flat tires it rides a little hard at times on a bumpy road. It came with no spare on the back of SUV door but I prefer the look to the mounted tire on the back. It looks great and handles like a sports car. The power is excellant 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. It feels like a large SUV but it is only 182 inches. The second seat has a lot of leg room as big as any large SUV. The back hatch that opens from the side is great if you have a low garage door. Love the relining back seat. Great 2 glove boxes for storage. Speaking of storage. The SUV has plenty of storage areas for your phone, CD's, garage door opener, even a hidden storage in the floor of the trunk. It has a lot of new features like hill assist. limited slip differential, traction control, stability control. The dash looks a little on the cheap side but what do you expect in this price range. Excellant gas mileage and runs on regular gas. All and all it is a well rounded SUV. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Previous stationwagons where BMW and Mercedes. Except for the interior of the RAV the RAV has all the creature comforts you would find in a Stationwagon costing twice the price. I test drove the new redesigned BMW X3 for 2011 and I would stack it up to the BMW any day for 1/2 the price. I can see why MotorTrend gave Toyota "Small SUV of the Year Award" for 2006. I have owned Toyota's in the past and the reliabilty is excellant compared to the two German cars we owned. And the repair cost when and if it breaks down won't cost you nearly as much as a German car to repair.

This was my first leased SUV and I was so excited to finally have an SUV that had 4wd ability as I live out in the country of ND. It handled well in good weather, but there are a issues I noticed in the 7 months I have had the vehicle, especially over the winter months - the road grip is poor when the roads are wet or icy, and in snow, the tires pack so much snow into the wheelwell and caps that you have to clean them out or your AWD/4WD and braking system lights come on and your car shakes all over the place, and if you live in a place where there is lots of snow, that rear window wiper is a constant annoyance. Whenever you turn it on, and there is a lot of snowfall, it will get stuck midway by packed snow and it won't turn itself off - normally leading to a trip back to the dealer to get it fixed. Both need to be re-engineered, along with the coffee cup holders which keep coming out, and the car's seats which are not the most comfortable to sit on.

i've owned the 2010 RAV4 (base model ) for 3 months... (CONS) driver's seat - wish it was more comfy.., tilt & telescope steering wheel could be better,Sound system poor placement & quality fair/ average, some blind spots when backing out of parking space,paint is Average/fair. interior could be lil' better... (PROS.) Does drive good, excels good...I'm getting about 25 MPG's,that's HYW & City (4cyl.)that i like! Handles good.does drive nice, i had no problem with snow this year, never even used the 4x4.,plenty of trunk space, rear-leg room a PLUS. ... Road trip in May to disney world, will see if it passes the long ride?

Owned for eight months since I leased this vehicle in July 2010. Positive: decent handling and acceleration compare to other Toyota, Honda, and Ford SUVs. Gas mileage is decent, 25MPG average for 4 cylinder 4x4, 70% city driving. Good visibility inside out. Excellent lease deal, $185 a month 15K a year. Two years free maintenance. Negative: Rear seats uncomfortable. Road noise. Poor dealership service experience. No steering wheel mounted controls unless you choose top of the line models.

Excellent preformance in drive the 4 wheel drive is also good slightly poor in milage 21.5 mpg and good reliability smoot drive

At first when I heard my mom wanted to buy an SUV I thought two things... boring and slow. After she did a little comparison between the RAV4, CRV, and Forester there was one clear winner. The Rav4 was much faster, more comfortable, and provided the same fuel economy as the competitors. She bought a 2010 Rav4 V6 Limited and has never looked back.So far she is extremely happy with her purchase. I must say that after driving the car myself the car is shockingly quick and nimble for an SUV, at least the V6 version is anyway. Overall it is a great car, and I would encourage anyone considering an SUV to at least test drive one.

the limited 2 wd is a much smoother car to drive than sports version or 4 wd. somewhat negative is its poor road grip in turning and on wet road. also, its coffee cup holders are very poorly designed.

I have had this SUV for three months and am well pleased, thus far. I like the visibility you have of being higher up than in a car. Not sure but I think there is a blind spot when backing up. I have particularly noticed it when backing from from parking spaces in parking lots. Hope it is as good as my 1999 SOLARA that i just sold with 175,000 miles on it. The SOLARA was a wonderful car and was still very good when I sold it.