At its peak, the 2013 RAV4’s lone engine offering puts out 176 horsepower, but the engine’s torque and hp were never meant to wow buyers. It will, however, impress drivers who expect to get 15 or more years of regular use out of their crossover.
Key Points
- The optional V6 from 2012 is gone for the RAV4 in 2013, leaving only the 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, which comes mated to a six-speed transmission.
- Excellent fuel economy allows drivers to get up to 461 miles on a single tank of gas, which would take you from Atlanta to Raleigh, N.C., without stopping.
- The 2.5L four cylinder’s torque tops out at 172 lb.-ft. This allows for a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds—just enough to tow a small boat or travel trailer.
- At its peak, the 2013 RAV4’s 2.5L engine puts out 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and it hit zero to 60 in 8.4 seconds in a Motor Trend test.
- No engine-related recalls exist for the 2013 RAV4. This is an SUV that many owners have hit a quarter of a million miles with or more, when maintained properly.
For 2013, Toyota Cut Back on Engine Options for its Popular RAV4 Crossover SUV, but it Still Delivered on Reliability and Great Gas Mileage
Newly redesigned in 2013, the RAV4 is decked out in new modern trims, but under the hood, Toyota has ditched the V6 engine option found on third-generation iterations of the crossover due to falling sales numbers. Instead, they opted to only offer a 2.5L inline-four-cylinder engine for 2013.
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV, a separate but similar model first produced in 2013, is powered by a 115 kW electric motor for those consumers who don’t want the gasoline engine. It retains the third-generation trim and frame found on gasoline RAV4s from 2006 to 2012.
Mated to a six-speed transmission, the 2.5L inline-four engine runs on 87-octane fuel and delivers phenomenal performance at the pump. Drivers can expect to get 23/30 mpg city/highway in two-wheel-drive versions of the RAV4, comparable to other in-class vehicles.
All-wheel-drive RAV4s see gas mileage drop to 22/29 or 22/28 mpg city/highway, depending on the trim configuration. This fuel economy allows drivers to get up to 461 miles on a single tank of gas, good enough to fill up the tank in Atlanta and drive all the way to Raleigh, North Carolina, without having to stop to refuel.
Tech Systems, Like Torque Control and Different Driving Modes, Aim to Squeeze the Most out of the 2013 RAV4
Nobody buys a RAV4 expecting to set records at track days, but the 2.5L I4 engine can hold its own. Thanks to three different drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—the 2013 RAV4 is capable of dynamically adjusting the driving experience. The various modes alter both the throttle and transmission’s relationships with the engine, allowing for more snap when in Sport mode or a more casual drive when switched to Eco.
At its peak, the 2013 RAV4’s 2.5L engine puts out 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, making for a crossover that did zero to 60 in 8.4 seconds in a Motor Trend test—down from 6.2 seconds with 2012’s V6—which is lightning-quick by no means. But it is entirely appropriate given the typical RAV4 customer, and not bad at all for an I4.
The 2.5L four cylinder’s torque tops out at 172 lb.-ft. This allows for a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds—not much, but just enough to get the job done in a pinch. Dynamic Torque Control Systems featured on the all-wheel-drive RAV4s constantly monitor and control torque transfer when driving the vehicle.
And, what’s more, Toyota’s flex lock-up control system now activates at 12 mph instead of the previous 25 mph, meaning fuel efficiency receives another boon and the powertrain’s performance is mellowed out enough to make for a car and engine that most drivers should expect to last 250,000 miles or more—a quarter of a million miles—if a proper maintenance regimen is followed.
Almost nothing seems to break on these cars, with only one NHTSA recall since 2013, and it’s not even integral to the engine’s performance.
2013’s RAV4 is a Budget Crossover that Performs Nearly as Well as More Expensive Competitors and Will Outlast them All
In 2013, the Toyota RAV4 was on the lower end of the price range when considering crossovers—slightly more expensive than Honda models, but less than most American crossover competitors. Over the years, the RAV4 has held its value much better than other crossover models due in large part to the near-bulletproof 2.5L engine.
As a result, buyers of used 2013 RAV4s in today’s market may be paying a bit more for their used car. But given the RAV4’s history of longevity, drivers can expect to keep their Toyota rolling down the road much longer than any of the comparable models.
Photos: Toyota
