Toyota RAV4 Buyer’s Guide (2018-Present) for New Zealand

The Toyota RAV4 has enjoyed immense popularity in New Zealand thanks to its reliability and practicality. It’s now facing stiff competition from the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX5 and Nissan X-Trail which are all excellent SUVs. The 5th generation is looking to reclaim the RAV4’s lost glory by fielding advanced tech such as the newly developed Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD and the Rear Driveline Disconnect. The Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD distributes power to the rear wheels while the Rear Driveline Disconnect disengages power to the rear wheels depending on the load. All this tech is good when it works but can be problematic when it breaks down. This guide gives prospective buyers a detailed view of the Toyota RAV4 that’s not available anywhere. It will help you to avoid problematic cars as well as select a RAV4 that fits your lifestyle.

Our years of experience at various dealerships have given us exceptional knowledge in used cars such as the RAV4 and we share valuable information in this guide. We also go the extra mile to interview current owners in order to give you a complete view of the RAV4. We have compiled this guide as a practical handbook that you can carry along as a checklist when buying a used RAV4.

Here is what you get in this book:

Toyota RAV4 Performance and Efficiency

We give you a detailed analysis of the engines that come with the RAV4, their performance in the real world and their fuel efficiency. We tell you our recommended engine for a used RAV4. The engines that come with the RAV4 are;

• 1. The 2.0-Litre M20A-FKS Engine
  2. The 2.5-Litre A25A-FKS Engine
  3. The 2.5-Litre A25A-FXS Hybrid Engine
  4. The 2.5-Litre A25A-FXS Hybrid PHEV Engine

Problems to Look Out for When buying used Toyota RAV4

This chapter gives a detailed analysis of the major problems that a used RAV4 might have and how to spot them. These include:

• 1. Oil Consumption
  2. Vibration and Noise
  3. Engine Stalling
  4. Oil Leaks
  5. Transmission Noise
  6. Battery Management Problems
  7. Charging Issues
  8. Transmission Issues
  9. Catalytic Converter Problems
  10. Suspension and Steering Problems
  11. Power Door Lock Problems
  12. Electrical Issues
  13. Brake Problems
  14. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Problems

Toyota RAV4 Reliability

This chapter delves into the long-term reliability of the Toyota RAV4. We give you the accurate picture of how reliable the RAV4 is over the long-term and what issues to expect along the way.

Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Costs

A detailed breakdown of how much it will cost you to maintain the Toyota RAV4. Areas covered include: Regular Maintenance, Brake Replacement, Tyre Replacement, Battery Replacement, Scheduled Servicing and Repairs

Toyota RAV4 Comparison with Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester, and Mitsubishi Outlander

A head-to-head comparison with the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester, and Mitsubishi Outlander. We compare and contrast factors such as their fuel efficiency, interior quality, features, and pricing.

Conclusion

We give a final verdict on the Toyota RAV4 – whether you should buy it or not.

Model Years Covered

2018 Toyota RAV4

2019 Toyota RAV4

2020 Toyota RAV4

2021 Toyota RAV4

2022 Toyota RAV4

2023 Toyota RAV4