Toyota RAV4
Verified317 reviews
- +8
You probably don't need to spend more on that AWD model – The RAV4 is wildly popular. If you want a hybrid, you'll be waiting for months after you place your order at the dealership. Is it worth the wait? If you're after a reliable, efficient, comfortable and spacious SUV with a rugged edge to it, it's hard to beat. You could cross shop a Subaru Forester Hybrid, but its hybrid system just isn't as… Read more
good as Toyota's system.
You want a RAV4 because you're either upgrading from your old one, or find most modern SUVs a little tame and rounded.
The RAV4 retains some 'rugged' elements, like chunky dials and buttons, but is mostly a regular Toyota SUV on the inside.
This slightly-above entry-level spec RAV4 is a fine choice for those interested in some minor creature comforts like a reversing camera, 'premium' fabric seats, dual-zone climate controls and 18-inch wheels.
With plenty of ground clearance, smaller wheels and spongey suspension - the RAV4 provides a relaxed ride across most surfaces you're going to encounter day-to-day.
A regen mode is available too, meaning you can maximise your time driving on pure EV power compared to some other hybrids too.
Add in 542L of boot space, and it's a great all-rounder.
During my drive with the RAV4, I never wished for an AWD system. This FWD set-up is suitable for most, and the default drivetrain I'd recommend for most buyers. That's unless you're needing to drive on unsealed surfaces more often than not.
The RAV4 isn't exciting, and it's lost a little of its off-road charm it used to possess. But it's ideal for those who want a boxy mid-size SUV from Toyota that'll simply sip fuel and get you from A to B in relative comfort too.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
Picked up from the dealer in mid 2023 after almost a 2 year wait. Great vehicle, love driving it, the hybrid system works very well. Quick response, good acceleration, and fuel consumption averages 5.8l/100km probably due to us living in a hilly area and it being an AWD. With a petrol only engine it would probably be about 9-10l/100km around town… Read more
so I'm very happy with it. Have now done 59,000km. Finally got the wireless Android Auto update a few months ago. One thing that annoyed me was that when listening to the Radio on FM the radio text details (name of song and artist) are truncated. It is possible to show the full radio text but you must stop the vehicle to change that option, otherwise that option is greyed out. Really? I put in feedback about this, and the official response was that it was deliberately done this way for driver safety!! I doubt they really believe that - its just that they don't want to change anything. Another downside is the road noise and wind noise when highway driving is not up to the standard of what the car cost, so it will be interesting to see if this is improved on the new model coming out in 2026.
I have had this car for nearly 2 years. I am impressed by the car’s fuel efficiency and the latest tech upgrade that was applied to it while I waited for my order to come through for just over 2 years due to COVID, it was worth the wait. The car is not cheap compared to its competitors but the hybrid setup in my opinion is refined as it has over… Read more
20 years of refinement behind it. I use this car almost on a daily basis, mainly urban commuting averaging about 5.3l per 100km not quite the 4.8l as quoted by the manufacturer. The frosted white colour in my opinion suits this car nicely. It conceals the dirt better than the dark colours I feel. I get the car serviced as per manufacturer recommendation every 15,000 km or once a year whichever comes first. The great thing is the service cost for the first 5 years is capped at $260 per service. Compared to other brands this is good value and peace of mind. Drives smoothly and quietly only exception is when you press the pedal hard then you will get the drone noise. I have no hesitation in recommending this car to anyone looking for a car in its category. ============== Update March 2026 I seem to have a persistent issue with my preset DAB radio station. Unable to select an alternative station unless I go to the station listings. Car going to dealer soon to see if they can resolve the issue with their technician.
- +3
Driver area congested for me I am 6 foot tall,the seat is uncomfortable and terrible to adjust,does not go back far enough plus the pumping height adjustment probably suits cheap car not the mighty Toyota. The middle console is too fat ,hard plastic… Read more
,curved out just where the knee rests and hurts resting on it. The door handle inside is too far forward and takes a lot of effort to pull close due to weight distribution ,and the manual mirror retraction button is just below the handle and most times it gets pushed during door closing and swings the mirrors in,so annoying!!.No mute button on steering,car play screen not tilted towards the driver have to reach out to touch the screen which in rigid ,also the numbers stored in Favourites allow to scroll down only two pages so have to go via contacts and search which is dangerous while driving as Siri sometimes does not understand my accent.No lumbar support in drivers seat ,which should be standard for back issues.No USB C connection at front where it matters for iphone connection.Door mirrors do not swing in when locked.Remote control switches too close to each other and small ,I always misspress them!!. Storage spaces are not lined with soft material or rubber ,it is hard plastic so things just slide around when turning. Boot space is not good enough due to the rear windscreen too slopy ,could have made the roof 6 inches longer and top of wind screen bit straighter for extra space.Had to cut the corner of the storage case to avoid it hitting the windscreen. Lane departure system has steering control hooked up to it and sometimes it tries to "correct" the car but gets it wrong and moves the car towards a car if parked on side of the road ,if I go over the lane slightly ,to avoid the same car!! I hate it but cannot turn of the steering component only,have to turn off the whole lane departure system ,thereby disabling the warning beeps as well.Have to disable very time I start the car as it activates automatically at each start.Very annoying and dangerous so I turn the whole thing off every time and lose the lane departure warning beeps as well.
The Mitsy had the same system without steering control and worked really well due to the warning beeps being much louder as well.
If I put something on the rear seat the seat belt alarm keeps "binging",so annoying ,why cant I hit ok to shut it up?,Its not a person!! In very hot days if I want to start the car without getting in and have the air con kick in before sitting inside,I cant do that due to the st^pid start system needing to sit down ,burn your butt on the seat ,press the brake,then push the button which is in the middel left of the streering wheel so very hard to reach from outside. ,the old fashioned key on right hand side of the steering was far better,could start the car without sitting inside with door open from outside, on hot days it was very handy to get air con going quickly. The steering tilt has a limited range for height as well and my son has his knee/thigh rubbing on the steering wheel when he drives as he is over 6 foot tall.He hasdno issues with the old 2019 Mitsy Outlander as the steering and seat adjustments had wider range.
Electronic handbrake is a pain in case you need to roll the car without starting if battery is flat. I never owned a Toyota before and was forced into the Rav due to Company policy ,its a service use car,but thanks to them no more Toyotas for me in future.Previuos car was Mitsy Outlander 2019 which I loved ,was much better in those things. Use the car everyday for work and do around 30,000 kilometers a year. Also if the drive battery is down on charge then the engine kicks in to charge it on idle and it makes a helluva racket,very noisy! Not sure if more expensive models are improved but those good features like lumbar support mirror swing on lock etc are basic and should be standard.
Car play operation was much simpler in Mitsy as well.
Had to wait 18 months for this thing to be delivered ,totally not worth it at all!Was delivered in March 2024 but was ordered 18 months before ie around 09/2022
Positive for Rav4 is the fuel and mileage and the rotary volume control.
Follow-up · The infotainment system is not very user friendly for me.There should have been a back button and a USB C connector at front.I wish also the doors opened another 10 degrees esp rear ones.The trip meter reset is a pain to get to its like the old school manual reset push hard poking out of the speedometer cluster glass.Mitsy had a button on the right side of the steering wheel,so easy.
Reviews with attachments
Drives well that’s about it – I use my car as a run around for my family the computer system is a nightmare, voice recognition is useless and sat nav is just as useless when I brought this up at the dealers he agreed and told me to use maps on my phone. Central locking doesn’t work properly and no matter how many times I’ve brought this up I’m dismissed and told it’s because… Read more
my keys are in my handbag and I’m “pressing” on them. It’s crap. It gets worse…after having the computer system replaced no less than 8 months later it’s just died, no access to map, which is useless anyway, no reverse camera, can’t get a text messages read it just died. The dealer Peter Kittle is useless and think it’s ok for me to drive around like this for weeks while they inspect it and then order parts. Cars a lemon and the most uncomfortable vehicle to sit in.
Dangerous list of unresolved problems and issues. Please share! – I drive economically with the rare firm acceleration once every few trips. Daily drive taking partner to work equating to 20-25000 kms a year. Serviced on time. Videos of issues attached My low rating is both due to the issues existing and the lack of effort to resolve issues and take them seriously. Every RAV4 has this first issue. 1. slip… Read more
light remains on frequently when starting the car. Won't go out until you let brake off completely. If on steep slope you can put car in drive and start moving at which point the car is difficult to stop especially if Toyota washed your brakes like mine. https://youtu.be/bTD9-XV2X14 2. Brakes randomly let up while trying to brake. NOT ABS under steady braking the brakes will sometimes stop braking. Happens a few times a month. 3. squeaky brakes from new, resolved by machining brakes after being washed. Still minor squeaking for a while before it stopped. 4. Hybrid system will often malfunction. From accelerating while trying to brake to most commonly petrol engine refusing to turn off. I can drive home gently with battery 80% and all of a sudden petrol engine decides to kick in. press ev mode, car says unavailable. I stop car press ev mode and now it turns off. As soon as car moves slightly, petrol engine starts again. This means my hybrid car will often waste petrol driving down hill. It has often done this at full battery. 5. Lane keep assist trying to steer me into on coming traffic and beeping when I'm far from left line but rarely beeping for right line. When reported NOTHING was done or tested being told this is factory thing. I recently discovered it can be calibrated but unfortunately takes hours and instead advised to turn it off or disable it. 6. Squishing and occasional knock from suspension. (minor issue) 7. Boot struts are sometimes very hard (minor issue) 8. From new wipers skip across windshield (minor issue) resolved myself recently by cleaning Goof-off from Bunnings on a rag. (I am not recommending its just what I did to fix it after nothing working)
I have been to 4 different dealerships around south west Brisbane. Some have spent an hour or so driving with me but issues that happen a few times a week or month need to be driven more than an hour.
Issue 1. and 2. has been classed as normal behaviour and opperation by Toyota in consultation with (head office/ senior technicians).
Issue 3. 4. have been reported as no fault found and unable to replicate even though video footage has been recorded and witnessed.
Issue 2. was unable to be observed after several attempts with multiple service departments yet to this day I still experience the issue. The best attempt a department has made to replicate the issue is taking the car home for a night on a 15 minute drive and allowing me to drive a new one for a day. This made it clear to me not only am I experiencing weird issues but my car was extremely under-powered and rough to drive. Not even close to what I paid for.
After multiple attempts to get issues resolved I have requested a replacement vehicle given the hours of driving I have done trying to diagnose and fault the car. Toyota guest experience/ head office has refused me twice. I am now at the point of looking at buying a new RAV4 which dealerships are happy to process but absolutely no deal or budging on price. You would think after all this the lease they could do is knock a couple dollars off. I'm still unsure what I want to do because it seems like absolute rubbish that I have to pay thousands more on a car that has been a lemon from the beginning with squeaking brakes. Videos attached.
Satisfied – This medium size RAV4 Generation is highly recommended not only for everyday use but also for couple or family who loves to travel. it has spacious capacity for passengers and baggage (you can refer to my video reference to see how many travel luggage can occupy) The engine is fuel efficient even though it has huge body and carry much weight. … Read more
Furthermore, you can save a lot with regards to parts and service due to its very affordable maintenance checklist. Just follow the official or technical advice from your trusted mechanic based on the guidelines of this vehicle. In my experience, it cost 180 Australian Dollars last time I had it in the service station.
Although we are the second owner, based on the checklist on my references I think that in the first three years of its ownership, you will just spend about 200 Dollars per maintenance schedule session.
- +1
While I was driving the sun visor fell off so I phoned Toyota to ask for them to replace it as it was a manufacturing issue not over or mis use, which is their responsibility under Australian Consumer Law. I also told the dealership who were the ones to put in the claim. They told me it was rejected because Toyota says I was being rough and… Read more
snapped it off. It's a 2020! For such an expensive car, I am gobsmacked at how cheap the plastic fittings are. My 1999 camry never had these issues! I was told by the dealership that I had no avenue to request a re-assesment so today I phoned toyota back and just got obstructed and the so called assistance team wouldn't email my request to the warranty team and fobbed me off back to the dealership who says they have no control. I feel this system is purposefully meant to make customers give up and I am not taking it. It is too new of a car. It has just about 85000 kms on it. My camry had 370000 and still has a sun visor. Toyota already only gives partial warranty payments as is. I want a full refund on my visor and acknowledgment that these policies will stop. What is the point of customer assistance if they won't assist???? That is a misnomer.
2024 Rav R Hybrid – Excellent look, great safety features, mechanically perfect, a little more pricey than other Top Performers but a Toyota re- sale and customer service makes it worthwhile Show details
Positive reviews
We have had a basic model 2025 FWD rav4 purchased new for approx 7 months now and it has been great. Would prefer the "Toyota connected services" stuff was easier to disable, but the car is great to drive, economical with fuel and has lots of space. Even the basic model we got has a bunch of nice features (adaptive cruise control, split zone… Read more
aircon, android auto, etc). We had heard there was a long wait but we only had to wait a couple of weeks to get our vehicle. But we weren't too picky about the colour. Getting 5.6L/100KM so far, lots of freeway driving.
Absolutely love it. Fanciest car we've ever driven. I love that at the push of a button, I can change drivers seat to my settings. Cameras at the front and rear. Lane reminders. Lots of bells and whistles. Most importantly it's comfortable and economical. Show details
We long term rented one of these vehicles and I wanted to share my insight and oppinion on a few complaints people have. backstory, I own a few Japanese built Toyotas for reference. I understand a lot of Toyotas nowdays are built in third world countries and there tends to be more problems with them vs the Japanese made models, however This… Read more
vehicle didnt fail to perform at all no matter where it was built.
1- You dont buy a Toyota as an accessory to charge your phone because your too precious to take the case of it or dont want to plug it in... and you dont buy a modern vehicle in 2025 for typrwriter tech inbuilt GPS which is redundant the second the cards put into the gps. ie no online updates without costly subscriptions The phone in your pocket is 100x more powerful than any old tom tom unit or inbuilt unit can be and is instantly updated to live conditions and changes. Ie use google maps, waze or something on your phone.... we dont use carrier pigeons anymore for good reason.
The real reason You buy or rent a Toyota, is because they are reliable, well built and tested to perform consistently longer than other vehicles on the market. Are they the cheapest? Not usually, are the packed with every bell and whistle, not usually, why? Because its more failure points.
The reality is that ANY vehicle will have problems, but Toyota stake their reputation on reliability and spend billions on testing, research and development.
Thats part of the reason why Toyota is still around today, unlike australian Ford and Holdens. Again nothing is perfect and you have to balance what you need and want vs budget, expectations and reality.
2- Mis informed consumers. No this isnt a 70 series or a hummer with portal axles designed to take you on and off the battlefield. Its an SUV, AWD is designed to improve handline and grip not just off road but in wet, slippery, dirt or loose paved surfaces for example. I never took this model on the beach but years ago I took the v6 petrol awd on the beach and with the right tyre pressures it would fly across the sand.
Another thing Id like to add is the unrealistic comments about fuel economy. for the last decade or more, combustion engines have been highly efficent and to comments silly things like > expected this to double the economy of my last car... is riddiculous. Engines burn fuel to move, they dont use fairy dust and theres only so little fuel you can use before you have to change to fulm electric. Even then someone else is just burning the fuel so you can move. Unless there are significant breakthroughs which would rock the entire worlds economy and market overnight, your unlikely to see much chnage in terms of fuel efficiency.
and about the screens and paying more when the vehicle arrives... Costs change, yeah it sucks, but a motor vehicle, despite what tesla lead you to believe, is not a dishwasher or vaccum cleaner thats takes 5 minutes to assemble box and ship. A well built automobile is a highly complicated well orchestrated family of machines, all talking together flawlessly 24x7. Computers and mechanical systems control everything from dome lights, seats, wipers to the wheels body, engine and tyres nowdays. So yes you can buy an untested third party stereo for cheaper, but its not Toyotas. Same with nike shoes, you pay more for brand, its not new. Can you get a cheaper pair at aldi or vinnies, yeah. But it isnt the same. Would you be hapoy with a $500 poxy aftermarket headunit in your brand new toyota?
This is again another reason why Toyota is better than others, they spend thousands of hours ensuring that collection of machines and electronics talk, listen and repeat for thousands of hours, then they put their name on it, or use reputable components like denso etc. They dont just grab some liquid nails and stick a piece of metal onto the car like tesla did with their cybertruck.
Does this mean there wont be problems? No, because we are humans and nothing is flawless in design, but it does mean you have a global company backing their designs if something does go wrong, again not perfect, but imagine if this was an MG, Theyd hang up on you when speaking face to face...
We used this car daily for 10,000kms +/- and drove it like a rental, so I wasnt afraid to floor it or hop a kerb etc. and the vehicle doesnt over promise, but it delievers just like every other japanese built toyota Ive ever had, so if the vehicle is one you comparing to say an mg (which we had for a week and refused to use it due to so many critical safety problems, dont doubt the toyota, id go it any and every si gke day over a temu car.
Find out how Toyota RAV4 compares to other Midsize / Medium SUVs
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Negative reviews
These cars cost $55k for a fuel economy of 5.5l/100 while a Mazda CX5 at $36k gets 6.5l/100lm. So you need to travel 1million km (50 years of driving) to recover the costs!. Also you'll need to replace the hybrid battery after 6 years at $8,000. Oh what a feeling! Buy the cx5 it’s amazing, it’s a simple 4 cylinder with proper planetary gear… Read more
automatic so less things to go wrong.
The Rav 4 uses a CVT (belt transmission) which suck the life out of any driving experience. CX5 uses a proper planetary 6 speed gearbox which provides a sporty and confident drive
Overall car is quite good. Issue is with the app. They advertise all the wonderful features but fail to tell you it’s a trial and you then have to pay $9.95 a month for one and $12.50 for the other. This is false advertising - logging with ACCC. Not to mention the product recall on the vehicle as well which is on the app but they can’t fix for a… Read more
few months. The app asks you to book in a service but you can’t. Would also say there are features in the Mazda cx5 that I had before this that are superior. The car play is seamless in the Mazda and problematic in the Toyota RAV 4. The auto headlights don’t work properly and cause issues. The collision alarm goes off when cornering and there’s a parked car ahead which could be dangerous.
⚠️ DO NOT BUY THE TOYOTA RAV4 CRUISER – Ongoing Fault, No Resolution, and Toyota Is Aware But Doing Nothing ⚠️ I purchased my 2024 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser brand new, and the fault occurred within a day of taking delivery. Since then, the car has been returned for service and investigation too many times to mention, yet the issue remains unresolved. … Read more
The fault lies with the entertainment system, specifically wireless Apple CarPlay. It drops out on every phone call, making it nearly impossible to take hands-free calls — which is especially unacceptable for someone like me who works from the road and relies on my vehicle as a mobile office.
Over the course of more than a year, the service team at Sydney City Toyota did everything they could to try and resolve the issue. When they ultimately acknowledged that they could not fix it, they approached Toyota on my behalf to request a buyback of the vehicle. At this point, Toyota refused, claiming that the car had been “repaired under warranty.”
This is simply not true. When I spoke directly with the service team, they confirmed the car was not fixed, and that other RAV4s are experiencing the exact same issue. That’s right — Toyota knows this is a widespread problem and appears to be doing nothing meaningful to address or publicly acknowledge it.
This situation raises serious concerns about Toyota’s customer service practices and its adherence to Australian Consumer Law, including:
The right to acceptable quality — this car is not fit for its intended use.
The right not to be misled or deceived — Toyota’s written claim that the issue was fixed contradicts statements made by their own dealership staff.
I have now sought legal advice and lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). My legal representative will be contacting Toyota directly.
Warning to Potential Buyers: Avoid the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser. Based on my experience, Toyota is fully aware of this issue, yet they are choosing to ignore it — hoping it quietly goes away. They’ve left both the dealership and the customer out in the cold.
I won’t stay silent — and I’m sharing this so others don’t suffer the same treatment.
Toyota: This is no longer just a tech issue. It’s an issue of honesty, accountability, and customer trust. Start acting like the company you claim to be.
Oh, what a feeling Toyota :(
@ToyotaAustralia @toyota @toyota_aus #Toyota #ToyotaAustralia #ToyotaJapan #ToyotaRAV4 #Toyotagram #ConsumerRights #RAV4Issues #DontBuyToyota #AppleCarPlayProblem #JDM #トヨタ #トヨタ自動車 #RAV4問題
Recent reviews
Fantastic to speak to friendly, helpful person, I think his name is Noah. Explained everything very clearly and made sure I understood and was happy with my policy. Thanks Noah ,. :o) Show details
Great SUV – Just LOVE it. We bought it new in January 2020 and four years later still love it. It is easy to drive, easy to park and very comfortable. A RAV 4 will be our next car.
Great run around vehicle but nothing special – I will start with positives. Bought this vehicle for my business to commute to work and to work events in and out of regional WA. - Great commanding driving position - Comfortable on long drives - The aircon and cooled seats are great - Love the more rugged look compared to most mid size crossovers - Easy to park - Responsive for overtaking … Read more
- Great boot and rear leg space - Toyota resale value Now here is where i am a little disappointed for the price of the vehicle I feel you dont necessarily get what you pay for especially in the current marker and wish I took it for a longer test drive. The feature list is great on paper however when living with the vehicle everything electric seems underdone or very outdated technology (my three year old vehicle that was cheaper to purchase makes it feel a good generation or two behind). The Toyota connected services app is terrible, this was one of the features that put this vehicle ahead on our short-list as we live in a hot regional climate and like to pre cool the car at the end of the work day, however by the time you actually get the app to load and send request to vehicle you may aswell go outside and do it yourself. The apple car play, android auto always seems to need re connecting each time you change drivers, the audio also cuts out frequently during phone calls or skips / restarts songs on carplay. The fuel consumption on a combined cycle is not as great as expected/ claim and petrol engine can be very rough and noisy when is kicks in.
All in all if you are upgrading from another Toyota vehicle or a much older vehicle you will love this car. If you have another more modern vehicle also at home, this may feel this is fairly behind the times.
RAV4 is okay - but not everything shines – We are driving the RAV4 now for a year; generally the car performs well and we are happy with it - and we have only the following negatives to report and one unbelievable experience: 1) front brake pads are wearing thin after just 50,000 km (down to 2.5 mm). A bit too early. 2) gasoline consumption is too high (it gives 10 km/l or needs 10l on… Read more
a 100 km), particularly taking into consideration that we run the car on ECO mode. 3) speed control reacts too slow when going downhill or uphill. 4) Navi display is small, reaction to input takes too long.
By far the worst is the following experience, though: on our second car key the battery needed to be changed. Whilst doing that, a tiny little spring broke. I taped the two half’s of the key case together and went to TOYOTA. Of course, they did not have a spare spring. Neither just the casing for the key.
The only proposal by TOYOTA was: you can buy a new key. But I do not need a new key, the key and its electronic parts work fine. I just need the casing. Sorry Mate, not possible. Okay. So how much would a new key cost me? That´s then AUD 531,04 (!!!) - plus calibration another AUD 150. AUD 680 for a piece of plastic???
Took my key and left. Checked on Ebay and spotted some key casings that could have worked, price around AUD 10. In the end, my son-in-law repaired it at home, forming a new spring and drilling a tiny new hole into the case. Costs: AUD 3,50 for the drill (Bunnings) and AUD 0,10 for the spring.
Thank you Toyota. I propose you check your spare parts policies.
Great drive, crap technology – I have had the car for just over 1year and 1month now, and I also have a wonderful 1998 original body Rav4 which I adore, so I think I have been driving it long enough and have enough experience to give an honest and experienced review. Let's start with the good stuff. It's comfortable, smooth and easy to drive. As a car, that does normal… Read more
car things, like getting you from A to B reliably, like most new cars should = Great, 5 star. Servicing and cost of parts if needed, in comparison to other brands = Good, 4 star (There's always room for price improvement though) Space and passenger comfort/versatility = Good, 4 star (There are some missed opportunities to allow for even more storage however) Fuel efficiency; My 2017 petrol Ford Kuga got 600kms to a tank, I expected the Rav to be double this due to the fact it is 6 years younger with supposedly newer technology and the fact it is a Hybrid. It gets around 900kms, so this was not as impressive as I expected, but it is a little better on the wallet, and every bit helps. Just to confirm it's fuel usage for normal driving, it is 5.6L/100km the display tells me this figure everyday and it does not change = OK, 3.5star
But what is bad about it then???
Firstly, I ordered a 2022 model back in May 2021. I was told there was a 12month wait. No worries. I ended up waiting 16months, which I was also fine with. What I was NOT fine with, was due to Toyota not being able to keep up with their own orders and time lines, they forced me to pay an extra $2500 for the 2023 head unit/screen, which I did NOT want, or order. And a screen that has been directly linked to most of the issues I have with this car. I have found that most aftermarket head units are only around $200-$700, so why was I charged $2500? Especially considering it was Toyota's choice not to make the car I ordered. Minus 5 star!
The technology. I was told the car had wireless charging, which is a very handy feature for me. From the day I got the car, the wireless charging has not worked, unless you take the cover off your phone. My friends, my husband, 2x CMI Toyota sales people, and the CMI service team have all tried it, with no luck. My phone case is very difficult to get off, so that feature is useless. Russell from Toyota said, that's just normal and best to physically connect my phone instead. This should not be normal, most phones have covers on them!! 1 Star
The USB port to physically connect the phone, randomly decides to disconnect whenever it chooses to, so even that, as a charging option is not always reliable. Most of the time it is ok, but I did not buy the car based on it "sometimes' working. (Yes, I have checked if it was faulty cords; No, not the cords fault) 3 Star
The Voice control option: Voice controlled maps was a non-negotiable for me, this has also never worked ever. Sadly I was lied to prior to purchase on this feature. This was a feature I very much use for work purposes when operating my maps. I am on the road a lot for work. The voice control feature and the maps was a non-negotiable. And, for a technology that has been around for at least 2 decades (Google, Alexa, Siri etc all have this perfected) It is extremely surprising that this feature is useless. At least 15 people including Toyota sales and service staff have tried with zero luck. "Just plug your phone in and use Google from your phone instead" Was Russell's suggestion (from Toyota sales team). Yes, I really want to buy a $50,000 machine to do a thing, only to need a completely different machine to do the thing the $50,000 machine is supposed to do! URGH. Zero star
Not only does Voice control not work in any capacity, but you only get maps for 12 months before the feature is removed and you are told you need to subscribe. Why would I spend more money every month on maps that have no voice control, when I can spend less $$ for a device like Garmin, Navman, TomTom and a smart phone with Google that offer maps for free for the lifetime of the device????? I wish this had been told to me Prior to purchase.... 1 Star
All the issues I have had, I did inform the CMI Toyota sales and service team at the free one month service check, to try and get them to fix the the problems. The end result; Nothing was fixed, they all said these issues are "Normal" and there is nothing they or I can do about them. NOT good enough Toyota!!
Had I known these features were false/useless/not working/defective prior to purchase, I would NOT have bought this car. I would have kept my very reliable Ford and had everything I needed without a subscription and at a far cheaper price.
So, in conclusion; If you want a reliable car that does not cost a fortune for servicing and parts, that has a good re-sale market value and you are willing to pay between $42,000 and $52,000, then this car is a good option. However, if you also want a car with all the modern features like wireless charging, voice control, usb connectivity and non-subscription maps, this is NOT the car for you.
Unleash the beast in Sports Mode – I upgraded from a 1998 Nissan Skyline to a 2024 Rav4 Hybrid Cruiser and was not prepared for how much I would absolutely love this car! First up the technology is mind-blowing. Obviously jumping 26 years from last century contributed to the initial shock (my last car didn't even have cruise control or a reversing camera) but the amount of extra… Read more
features this car has really makes the whole experience extra special. The intelligence of this machine is impressive, so much so that we named the car after a robot!
The Hybrid system is genius and the extra fuel efficiency is noticeable, but the biggest surprise for me was that I was expecting to downgrade to a sluggish soccer-mum SUV and instead got a beast that you can unleash in sports mode! You've got the luxury of a cruisy everyday drive on eco mode, but at the flick of a switch you've got performance and handling that is actually quite good.
The design and quality of the interior is just gorgeous, and the functionality of the whole vehicle is so intuitive. It has a feel of quality and safety that I've never felt in a car before. Definitely recommend!
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Transmission fault – Bought a 2016 RAV4 and dealer said sound was normal when accelerating but the transmission and gear box were stuffed. Bought another one a couple days later thinking it was a one off, turned out THIS one also had same issue dealer tried to tell me it was normal. Avoid rav4’s 2015-2019 apparently they used faulty transmissions. Some mechanics are… Read more
aware of this some not…update bought a 10 yo Kluger instead and no problems not hard to park either just uses a bit of fuel
Simply amazing – Toyota RAV4 2023 FWD : A Remarkable Experience Having previously owned both the 2017 RAV4 GXL (FWD) and the 2020 RAV4 Cruiser (AWD), I recently upgraded to the 2023 RAV4 Cruiser (FWD). This new model truly stands out. Design and Luxury: The RAV4’s sleek design and luxurious feel make every drive a joy. Attention to detail is evident throughout.… Read more
Performance and Economy: The powerful engine delivers impressive performance, although I do miss the AWD capability from my 2020 model. Notably, the FWD wheels tend to spin in the rain when accelerating after traffic lights. Fuel Efficiency: Remarkably, I can forget to refuel for up to 800 km, and adding just 45L of 91 UL suffices. Excellent fuel economy! Technology and Comfort: The massive, crisp multimedia screen and mind-boggling 360-camera view are stunning. Heated, ventilated seats, Wireless Apple CarPlay, and fast-charging USB-C connectors enhance convenience. Toyota’s Lane Trace Assist keeps me safely within my lane, surpassing other cars’ systems. Adjustable auto tailgate levels, customizable light sensitivity, and automatic side view mirrors add to the experience. Driving Experience: The 60-profile tires provide a comfortable ride. Responsive steering controls and speed sign recognition make driving easier. Adaptive cruise control enhances safety. The JBL Stereo system impresses. Minor Drawbacks: The electronic rearview mirror disappoints due to its poor refresh rate. The steering feels heavy but could be improved. In summary, the 2023 RAV4 is a gem, though Toyota’s one-year subscription for wireless connectivity remains a drawback.
Eco-Adventure with a Hybrid Marvel – The Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid in Australia is a standout choice for drivers seeking a blend of fuel efficiency, versatility, and rugged capability. As Toyota's pioneering hybrid SUV, the RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid offers an impressive combination of performance and eco-friendliness, making it a top contender in its class. One of the most… Read more
appealing aspects of the RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid is its exceptional fuel efficiency. With its hybrid powertrain, this SUV delivers impressive mileage both in city traffic and on the open road, helping you save on fuel costs while reducing your carbon footprint. The seamless transition between the gasoline engine and electric motor ensures a smooth and efficient driving experience.
In addition to its eco-friendly credentials, the RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid offers outstanding versatility and capability. Whether you're navigating city streets or venturing off the beaten path, its all-wheel drive system provides enhanced traction and stability, ensuring confident handling in various road conditions. With ample ground clearance and available features like hill descent control, this SUV is well-equipped to tackle rough terrain and adventurous excursions.
Inside the cabin, the RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid offers a spacious and comfortable environment for both driver and passengers. Premium materials and thoughtful design elements create a refined atmosphere, while intuitive technology features keep you connected and entertained on the go. With a range of advanced safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your passengers are well-protected.
Overall, the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid in Australia is a compelling choice for drivers who prioritize efficiency, versatility, and adventure. With its hybrid powertrain, capable performance, and advanced features, it sets the standard for eco-friendly SUVs while delivering an exceptional driving experience.
Overall Better but not the Best Interior or Features, Kinda Disappointed on Tech and Convenient Aspects – 2023 RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD, still sunroof need to be opened by hand like 2005/08 while other brands offer switch options even back then and looks cheaper and quite outdated. At the same time, interior designs and protective factors of interior parts really outdated compared to styles and materials used in Chinese cars with good quality over… Read more
plastic covers here and there.
Doors handles do not have pockets to close doors with minimum efforts and convenient ways like CHR. Need to lean a bit outside and grab the big old handlebar of the door to pull the door with all power like a lorry door. Women with average body types find it hard to deal with the matter and men might have no exceptions.
There is no head up display and this offer by all Korean basic cars nowadays. Extremely disappointed for its adaptation to latest basic tech features.
No options to upgrade for a factory fitted dashcam with subscription method to proceed with or quick connecting points for Dash cam installation rather wiring the whole car with the whole dashcam wires up and down like old days. Having dashcams and a cam system similar to Tesla Cam is a must with rising car related crimes plus real time communication methods & cloud storage options. It is an added value and love to have those features, so no need to worry about third party cam systems or what to buy. Dash cam is the biggest concern that comes right away after purchasing the new car for any car buyer. Also, it could be integrated to the system through the production process by the manufacture quite easily over what to trust or spend on from the customer end. Haval offers quick connect point for dashcam and its smart as well convenient rather wires are hanging here and there or middle of the phone charging space like an Asian communication centre within the car.
Almost all other aspects are better and worth to go for, but above those are real downsides, if you compare same range SUV by Korean or Chinese manufactures with enormous features and tech Intergrations.
A massive change from my 2008 Corolla Conquest – We decided as retirees we had earned a luxury vehicle. I ordered a Rav 4 Cruiser & all the bells & whistles including a chromed bull bar & CB. The 12 month wait was worth it Fitted out like the Lexus. Plenty of room. Plenty of power. The downside of the Rav 1, the brushed steel looking trim inside reflects too much in the sun. 2, engine a little… Read more
noisy with harsh acceleration. 3, NO built in Sat Nav. 4, the magnetic charging base won’t work with my iPhone 13Pro Max due to the lens protector. Meaning the phone isn’t flat. 5, the size of the place for the magnetic charging base is too small for my iPhone 14 Pro Max. 6, lots of wind noise at speed due to the size of the side mirrors. 7, still quite a lot of road noise from the tyres, 8, petrol release button awkward to reach as it’s low on the dash, 9, finally people keep walking up to me asking me how much I paid. Pluses, 1, absolute luxury 2, very quiet on normal driving around town. 3 extremely economical using only 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres around town when speed max is 40 KPH 4, 830 kilometres on a full tank. To fill up $70. Overall since completing 45.000, fuel economy is 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres. 5, Auto wipers are amazing in every aspect. 6, Headlights are brilliant in every sense. 7 amazing turning circle. 8, rides the bumps like being on air. 9, excellent & easy steering. 10, wonderful acceleration on every hill. 11, great all round visibility, 12, wing mirrors provide great side vision, 14, the digital rear vision mirror allows you to see every lane when turned on. A must if you have a load that restricts vision. 15, electric seats are perfect. 16, heated seats a must in winter. 17, air con seats help to keep you cool, 18, climate control with twin controls keeps the wife happy. 19, air con is quiet but very powerful. 20, cornering in smooth with no extra body roll.
Still going strong as new – I purchased my RAV 4 Cruiser Hybrid in 2020 after waiting almost 9 months for it and was it worth the wait. I was downgrading from a Ford Territory (after 10 years) as it was causing trouble and didn't need a big SUV as my children were out of the car seats. While searching I saw many YouTube reviews of the RAV4 and what drawn me was the hybrid… Read more
system. I get per tank an average of 950 and fill up every 2 - 3 weeks. It is smooth to drive and spacious cabin especially in the back when the seats are slightly reclined. Boot space is massive as I can fit 8 filled shopping bags or 4 massive suitcases. If you have a heavy foot this car will GOOOOOO!!! Capped price servicing is fair aswell from Toyota (any Toyota Dealer) around $250 per 6 months. Super happy with my car especially the heated front seats (my all-time favourite feature).
Better then expect – I purchased this car in may 2023... I had a fair idea that the car will be good... it wasn't until I got the car and used it that it exceed all my expectations. I have had no issues at all and the car feels very solid and safe. I have 2 daughters and I honestly feel at ease. It's definitely worth the money. I bought a mazda cx5 brand new before… Read more
this car, although the Mazda had a bit more bells and whistles I will still prefer the rav4 over the Mazda.
Worst voice recognition ever – The absolute worst voice recognition I’ve ever seen - you simply cannot use voice to find an address. It’s absolutely horrible and cannot find a street even close to resembling the street you mentioned. Show details
Could have been a great car – The car drives well and is very economical, however for a car costing not too far off $60000, Toyota seems to have cut on some details to save costs with the result that they have wasted the opportunity to provide a really good car. There is no navigation system unless I connect my mobile phone with a USB cable and use Android Auto. My biggest… Read more
complaint is the very poor incandescent bulbs used in the reversing lights. At night on a dark driveway the light is too weak to see the edge of the drive, bushes etc through the windows or on the reversing camera. On Rav 4 forums this problem has been mentioned for years, with no remedial action by Toyota. A visit to an Auto Electrician, who knew about the problem, fixed the problem for $50. Poor customer service from Toyota.
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Well, today I gave up wit Toyota and their broken promises to treated this a priority and sold the… Read more