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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 Toyota RAV4

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota RAV4

Overview

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2010 Toyota RAV4 Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 has come along way from the cute little two-door pop-top of 1996. Toyota's smallest SUV has left its long-time rival, the Honda CR-V, in the feature-content dust by offering seating for seven, a low-cost navigation option and an optional V6 engine. Moving upscale can have its drawbacks, however, and the current RAV4's conservative styling might be the most noticeable of those. Where the RAV4 was once aimed at young singles with active lifestyles, the new vehicle caters to young couples with active two-year olds. While there are better equipped and less expensive seven-passenger SUVs on the market (the new Kia Sorento, for example), none have the RAV4's impeccable quality, reliability reputation or strong resale value.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you want a small-to-midsize sport utility vehicle that combines car-like performance, ride, handling and fuel economy with available four-wheel drive and room for up to seven passengers, or five adults and a fair amount of cargo, the 2010 Toyota RAV4 is a good choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If your needs include heavy duty hauling or towing or serious off-road rambling, you may want to look elsewhere. There are many fine competitors in this class, including some that may offer a combination of attributes, price and value that are better suited to your tastes and needs.

What's New for 2010

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 carries over mostly unchanged after last year's makeover. Base models can now be equipped with a rearview camera, and the available Sport Appearance Package is expanded to Sport grade 4x2 and 4x4 four-cylinder models. The Sport trims can also be equipped with a new JBL audio system that includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity.

Driving the RAV4

Driving Impressions Toyota engineers have achieved their objective of car-like driving dynamics in a practical SUV package. High-strength steel increases the body's rigidity for improved ride, handling, steering and (if necessary) crash...

energy management, weighs less and reduces noise, vibration and harshness. Improved sealing and insulation keeps most engine noise out of the cabin, except for some (un-Toyota-like) engine harshness at wide-open throttle, even with the V6. Elimination of outer moldings around the windshield and door glass helps reduce aerodynamic drag and wind noise. While the 179-horsepower four-cylinder is more than adequate with light loads and at lower elevations, the 269-horsepower V6 offers acceleration, pulling and passing power at or near the top of this class and is recommended for heavier loads and higher altitudes.

Favorite Features

Star Safety System
This comprehensive system integrates five active electronic safety features – enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Brake Assist – to help avoid accidents, and one passive safety feature (multi-stage front airbags) to cushion occupants should a crash occur.

Hill Start and Downhill Assist Control
Toyota's second-generation Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) automatically prevents the vehicle from rolling backward for two to three seconds when starting from a stop on an uphill slope. Downhill Assist Control (DAC), when activated by the driver, keeps the vehicle's speed to a crawl on steep descents.

2010 Toyota RAV4 Details

Interior

The 2010 RAV4 offers slightly more rear seat head room than the Honda CR-V, and the 60/40 reclining middle-row seats adjust fore and aft and fold flat with levers on their sides or (on two-row models) a one-touch lever in the cargo hold. The available third-row seat folds flat into the same space in the rear where standard RAV4s have hidden under-floor storage. Base RAV4s get durable fabric-covered seats, while higher-level cloth dresses Limited and Sport models, the latter in dark charcoal. The center cluster, door trim and steering wheel spokes are brushed metallic-look plastic. Lighted front cupholders, a console cell phone holder, an extra storage compartment above the glove box and a deep rear storage bin are notable features.

Exterior

The 2010 RAV4 is more substantial and less "cute" than the original, with contemporary but conventional good looks. Only the triangular rear C-pillar and vertically-wrapped taillamps are somewhat unusual, reminding us (in profile) of the very unconventional Nissan Murano. The split-grille's trapezoidal opening flows into the front bumper, with the available fog light housing sculpted into the lower side fascia. The spare tire, mounted to the right of center on the rear door – which, unfortunately and inconveniently, swings open from the driver's side (curb side in Japan) – has a color-keyed cover with a full hard shell on Limited models. Customers who opt for the new Sport Appearance Package lose the rear spare and gain a set of four run-flat tires.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

All three trim levels have an automatic transmission, electronic stability and traction control, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, rear privacy glass, power mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, three 12-volt outlets, 10 cupholders, cruise control and AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio with MP3/WMA and a mini-plug jack. The Limited adds 17-inch tires on six-spoke alloy wheels (in place of the 16-inch steel wheels of the base model), fog lights, heated outside mirrors, six-disc CD changer, Smart Key entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel with audio controls, eight-way (plus lumbar) power driver's seat, cargo area net and tonneau cover, engine immobilizer system and a chrome grille. The Sport trim gets much of this plus 18-inch performance tires and wheels, sport suspension, blackout headlamp trim and fender flares.

Optional Equipment

Options for the base model include the six-disc CD changer, daytime running lights, rear camera with built in rearview mirror monitor, black painted roof rails and cross bars, 17-inch wheels and tires, third-row seat, cargo area net and tonneau cover and (with the V6 only) a tow package that increases towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. Available options on the Sport include a power moonroof with sunshade and a JBL six-disc CD changer with nine speakers, Bluetooth and steering wheel audio controls. The Limited offers optional leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with rear-seat audio. Both the Sport and Limited can also be equipped with Bluetooth and GPS navigation.

Under the Hood

Toyota provides a choice of a 179-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), or a potent VVT-i V6. The former is one of the most powerful fours in this segment, while the latter, pumping out a claimed best-in-class 269 horsepower, is good for zero to 60 miles per hour bursts in slightly under seven seconds. The four-cylinder engine drives through an all-new four-speed automatic transmission and the V6 is fitted with a five-speed automatic.

2.5-liter in-line 4
179 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
172 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 (2WD), 21/27 (4WD)

3.5-liter V6
269 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
246 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 (2WD), 19/26 (4WD)

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2010 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 526 Ratings for the 2006 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.9/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.8/10

This car has been super

By rav-rover (MI) on Thursday, August 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 111,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "reliable, durable, flexible"

Cons: "hate the cup holders and their catches, road noise"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My Rav4 Limited has a 6 cylinder engine, 111,000 miles. We live on a rough gravel road. In those miles I have basically put brakes and tires on it. We have hauled virtually anything you can imagine in it. No problem. What is it? It fits."

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Toyota Deserves a Gold Medal

By biscotti54 (SC) on Friday, July 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Recently took this car to the Outer Banks and drove all the way down to Ocrakoke Island. Performed marvelously. Kudos to Toyota. This car deserves a Gold Medal for performance. A+"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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The Toyota Rav4 V6 5A 4WD SPORT

By FordFerrariFiat (ME) on Tuesday, July 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great Price. 269 HP, V6 1 MPG less than 4 cyl,"

Cons: "XM Radio lasts for only 3 months"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"The Toyota is very good because its got the V6 with 269 hp, unlike the 4 on the Subarus and CRVs. Its got 4WD, a great feature in Maine, Sporty looks, and could be considered a hot rod because 269 hp in a small engine. It looks good. Dont go for the 4 because of the gas mileage. The V6 has only 1 mpg less than the 4 cyl. The only bad thing is that Sirius XM is free for only 3 months. I have FM, AM MP3, AND CD though. FordFerrariFiat"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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2011 Toyota Rav4

By cec08 (NY) on Tuesday, July 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 42,300

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "MPG, handling"

Cons: "tires that come with it only lasted 25,000 miles"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I really like my vehicle. I live in a rural area and average 28 MPG. I have 42,000 miles on it and thought it might be time for new brakes even though I was not having any problems. I had them checked by a mechanic and he said I had another 10,000 miles before I would need new ones. We get a lot of snow here and I have no problems getting around with this vehicle. This is my third Rav4 and I love them."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great small SUV but issues developed in time

By Kilpatrick (IL) on Sunday, June 30, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Issues - My approximate mileage is 145,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "roomy for a small SUV-good mileage-practical"

Cons: "Known issues that flare up. Do your research."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"We bought it used and I wanted to love this car but we traded it back in after 1 year of ownership. We started having issues with it within the first month. We bought a 4cyl model so I did not expect a rocket. The power that the 4cyl provide was adequate for what I thought it should have. If I wanted a rocket, I would have opted for the 6 cyl version. The interior was very roomy for 4 people but when adding the 5th, things got tight. Vacation was not fun with 3 kids in the back. Love the storage compartment in the belly of the rear. Rear seat would also slide forward or backward to provide more or less leg room when needed. The rear split seat will even recline to help with sleeping kids. Very practical car that was easy on gas. The automatic transmission did not shift properly from 3 to 4th. We found that if you manually shifted it, it was fine. The transmission never was to the point to where you could not drive with fear. Just annoying but we managed. I had read of issues with the transmission but never persued it since we found a workaround with manually shifting it. The VSC/4WD/ Maintenance required lights came on after a few months. In researching this, alot of owners are having issues as the miles rack up. The cruise control will not work when these warning lights are on. Our car never ran differently, so it was aggravating that the lights would come on and also make the cruise and 4WD inoperable. Some research suggested that it might be a costly CO2 sensor. We just kept driving it. Another known issue is to watch the oil level since the 4cyl and 6 cyl models are known to consume oil. The car never smoked, never was underpowered, nor leaked oil but would need oil added after 1000 miles. Not good when using full Synthetic oils. All in all, a good little car but try to purchase a warranty that will cover some of these known issues so your not left with the cost of these known issues. We traded it back to the Toyota dealer that sold it to us so we did not feel guilty of not telling them of the issues we had. We just disconnected the battery to reset the warning lights until we could trade it in. When doing this, our warning lights would stay off for about 40 miles before coming back on."

16 people out of 16 found this review helpful

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Piece of Junk

By Rick (OH) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Company Fleet Car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Cheap, Good gas mileage"

Cons: "Slow, Unreliable, Cheaply Made"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"My company switched to Toyota for their fleet cars. We quickly switched back to the previous brand after one year because of the mountain of complaints from the sales force. I had the RAV4. It was a piece of junk and seemed to be in constant need of repair. The car was the slowest I've ever driven, and everything about it seemed cheaply made. The breaks made horrible noises. The interior smelled of gasoline. Interior and body parts fell off during normal driving. The car would randomly shut down while driving down the road. The car blew out every electronic device I plugged into it. (ie GPS, Phone, Tablet) Toyota's response was that all of this is normal. I would definitely NOT recommend this car, and know my company would tell you the cost savings were not worth the problems."

4 people out of 27 found this review helpful

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