For over 25 years, the Toyota RAV4 has built a name for itself as a capable, reliable, & efficient SUV. Here, we’ll look at the engines that made it all possible.
The Toyota RAV4 introduced the world to combining SUV antics with a compact car’s economy. First introduced to the U.S. market in 1995 for the 1996 model year, the Toyota RAV4 was the first vehicle to take the off-road attributes of an SUV and put them on a unibody car-like chassis rather than a body-on-frame ensemble like other SUVs at the time. This opened the floodgates to manufacturers creating car-based compact SUVs, or as they’ve come to be known now, crossovers.
Though the design of the RAV4 has changed drastically over the years, the basic principles have not. A compact SUV that is capable of weekend off-road adventure and light towing duty while keeping fuel economy figures high enough that driving one around town every day won’t insult one’s wallet.
Over the years, the Toyota RAV4 has developed from a simple, economical compact SUV to one of the most efficient crossovers on the market. With hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants now available, there’s a Toyota RAV4 to meet virtually anyone’s needs. Let’s now take a look at the five generations of the Toyota RAV4 and review the specs of its available engines.
Toyota RAV4 Engines: Generation One (1996-2000)
The first generation of the Toyota RAV4 ran from the 1996 model year to the 2000 model year. It was available with either three or five doors. Additionally, it was offered in either all-wheel drive (AWD) or front-wheel drive (FWD). What’s more, it was available with both an automatic and manual transmission.
The only engine option available for the first-generation Toyota RAV4 in the U.S. is a 2.0-liter dual-overhead-camshaft inline four-cylinder. It is a 16-valve engine, meaning it has four valves per cylinder, and it uses standard electronic fuel injection. Power output is not massive at 127 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft., but it is plenty to get the RAV4 up and moving.
This small and stout engine is good for up to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for FWD models and up to 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for AWD models, according to the EPA.
Toyota RAV4 Engines: Generation Two (2001-2005)
The second-generation RAV4 kept the same spirit alive as the first one. However, the U.S. only got the four-door variant for this generation. Manual and automatic transmissions remained available, as did FWD and AWD variants. The 2001 Toyota RAV4 was the first instance of this generation, while the 2005 RAV4 was the final year.
Like the first generation, these models came initially with a 2.0-liter dual-overhead-camshaft inline four-cylinder engine. Just like its predecessor, it is a 16 valve engine and uses standard electronic fuel injection. They did, however, get a boost in power to 148 horsepower and 142 lb.-ft. of torque.
These engines get EPA ratings up to 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway in FWD models, with AWD models seeing numbers as high as 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. A bump in power and fuel economy at the same time is always a great thing.
With the 2004 Toyota RAV4 came a new, bigger powerplant. Engine size was bumped up to 2.4-liters, though the 16-valve dual-overhead-camshaft architecture remains the same. This increased power once again to 161 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque.
The extra power doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of economy, though, as it still sees EPA ratings up to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway in FWD models. AWD models net up to 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
Toyota RAV4 Engines: Third Generation (2006-2012)
Unfortunately for driving enthusiasts, the third generation of the Toyota RAV4 did away with the manual transmission option. However, it was offered with a six-cylinder engine for the first time, as well as an optional third-row of seating.
The 2006 Toyota RAV4 brought the third generation to the market, offering both a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The four-cylinder engine sees a small jump once again to 166 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. The V6 offers a substantial power increase at 269 horsepower and 246 lb.-ft. of torque.
In the 2009 Toyota RAV4, engineers bumped the power up once again with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 179 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque.
Despite all the additional power, the RAV4 still manages to stay right about the same with its fuel economy numbers. EPA ratings put FWD models with the four-cylinder engine at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while V6 FWD models get 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Upgrade to AWD, and the four-cylinder models get 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, with AWD V6 models netting the same as their FWD counterparts at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Toyota RAV4 Engines: Fourth Generation (2013-2018)
Interestingly enough, the V6 option went away with the fourth-gen RAV4. Also gone with the wind is the third-row seat, as Toyota’s aim with the fourth generation was to get back to the roots of the original RAV4 instead of letting it turn into a bulbous SUV.
As a result, only one engine is available, a 2.5-liter dual-overhead-camshaft inline four-cylinder. This engine has a power output of 176 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque. Yet, while this is the only engine available, it is not the only powerplant available.
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 brought a hybrid variant with an electric motor assisting the same 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder. This bumps power levels to 194 horsepower and 152 lb.-ft. of torque.
As expected, fuel economy numbers stay at impressive levels. FWD models see numbers up to 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway while AWD models get 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The hybrid model, also AWD, sees remarkable numbers at 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
Toyota RAV4 Engines: Fifth Generation (2019-Present)
Finally, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 debuted the fifth and most current generation of Toyota’s iconic compact SUV. Though it has grown in size relative to its original counterpart, its original intention remains the same. Therefore, just like the fourth-gen models, there is no V6 option.
Instead, once again, we find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with another decent bump in power—this time to 203 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
The hybrid variant makes a triumphant return as well, bumping power figures to 219 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque.
Additionally, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 became available as part of Toyota’s Prime lineup, meaning it has a rechargeable onboard battery to further enhance fuel economy ratings. The RAV4 Prime can travel over 40 miles on battery alone.
The current generation of RAV4 undoubtedly has the most impressive fuel economy numbers. FWD models are good for up to 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. AWD models still see up to 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
Ever impressive, the hybrid variant nets an astonishing 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, while the Prime variant gets 94 mpg equivalent average when using the electric drivetrain alongside the engine.
Are Toyota RAV4 Engines Reliable?
To put it simply, yes. Toyota engineers pride themselves on building durable and dependable engines that are set to last for hundreds of thousands of miles, no matter how new they are. In fact, you’ll find that the RAV4 has very few reported problems across all generations, according to the website Repair Pal.
Nearly all of the complaints associated with the RAV4 are items that will eventually experience wear over time—shift bushings, starters, transmissions struggling at high mileage, and so on. The simple point is that if you purchase a well-cared-for Toyota RAV4 from any generation, it is not likely to let you down in any case.
Effectively, the Toyota RAV4 is one of the best and most trustworthy compact SUVs on the market. Considering the production span of over 25 years, there’s a RAV4 for just about any used car shopper’s budget.
So, if you’re looking for an off-road-ready car with room for luggage that gets exceptional fuel economy, look no further than the Toyota RAV4.
As always, be sure to run a vehicle through our VIN research tool and discuss maintenance history with the seller before buying. Additionally, having a trustworthy mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection is a cheap and easy way to ensure you aren’t getting yourself into a broken vehicle.
Photos: Toyota
