The 2008 RAV4 lasts around 250,000 miles with only some oil and muffler issues. At $7,306 – 11,605, it’s expensive, but is worth it for one of the best compact SUVs available.
Is the 2008 Toyota RAV4 a Good Used SUV?
- Yes, 2008 is a good year. Owner reviews praise the peppy engines, room for children, and powerful V6 engine.
- Reliability ratings are great. Avoid models from 2007 which have engine problems, and go with a 2008 or newer.
- Performance is average from the 4-cylinder, but the V6 is very fast.
- The RAV4 is a very safe compact SUV, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 24 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the RAV4?
- Consumer Reports finds the RAV4 to be a very smooth and refined compact SUV with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the RAV4 a 4.5/5, liking the good handling, but says the side-hinged rear door is difficult to use.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the RAV4 4.4/5 and enjoy the good ride quality, but dislike the low suspension.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Toyota RAV4 Have?
Problems found on the 2008 RAV4 are relatively minor including excessive oil consumption, rusted mufflers, and weak brakes.
Excessive oil consumption is the most common complaint from owners at roughly 140,000 miles. Toyota engines are known to consume more oil than other vehicles as part of their design, and many owners simply top off the oil regularly.
Rustled mufflers are another frequent issue showing up at around 80,000 miles. Replacing the muffler is the only solution, costing about $600.
Weak brakes are something also mentioned by owners in the first 50,000 miles. Usually weak brake force is usually caused by worn pads, rotors, or low brake fluid. Replacing pads is about $200, rotors are $400, and a brake fluid flush is around $150.
There are 14 recalls, with the most serious one being for the rear tie rods in the suspension, which increase the risk of an accident if they fail.
How Long Will the 2008 Toyota RAV4 Last?
A properly maintained 2008 RAV4 will last around 250,000 miles, similar to other compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V. Regular annual maintenance costs are average for the SUV’s age and size at $409 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most 2008 RAV4s will have over 100,000 miles so prospective buyers should be prepared to replace oxygen sensors for $350, control arms costing $450, and the camshaft position sensor, which is $200.
It is very reliable. It is a safe car with very few internal problems and rarely needs work done on it. The upkeep on the car is not challenging, and keeping it up to date keeps it reliable.
The Toyota rav4 is very reliable. I have had no problems with it. We've taken it on many trips and it has always performed beautifully.
The vehicle is reliable, however, it does have a fairly small gas tank for an SUV so travelling far you need to fill it up quite often.
Yes it is very reliable, but it is more expensive to fix and replace parts than many other Toyota models.
Yes it is reliable. The main problems have just been wear and tear on the aging vehicle. Hubcaps need to be retired on wheels though. Alignment issues have caused tires to wear down too fast.
The Toyota rav4 is very reliable it takes me to school and work without wasting a lot of gas. It has not given me any problems whatsoever. I have traveled more than 300 miles and it never gave me a problem getting to my destination.
This particular year does tend to use a bit more oil than other cars. Oil changes need to be made 50-100 miles before the sticker tells you to. It is also helpful to keep a container of oil in the trunk just in case. Otherwise the car is extremely reliable.
It is very reliable! Although, I have gone through about 4-5 batteries since owning it in 2012 but I think that is normal maintenance.
How Much Is the 2008 Toyota RAV4 Worth?
Blue book values range from $7,306 – 11,605, making the RAV4 about $3,000 more expensive than a Ford Escape or Jeep Liberty. When new, the price range was $21,500 to $27,070. Depreciation is better than average, only losing about 6% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the RAV4?
There are three models of the RAV4 available. Technology was last updated in 2006 with a new infotainment system added for the 2009 model year.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
Sport is a step up adding features such as:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Sport Suspension
- Fog Lights
- Black Exterior Trim
Limited is the luxury model and features:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Premium 9-Speaker Stereo System With Bluetooth
What Engines Come In the RAV4?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 2.4L 4-cylinder with only 166 horsepower, which gets up to 24 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the very powerful 3.5L V6 making 269 horsepower and getting up to 22 MPG combined.
What Colors Does the RAV4 Come In?
How Big Is the RAV4?
The 2008 RAV4 is an average sized compact SUV similar to the Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson. It’s one of the only compact SUVs to offer an optional third row. Passenger room is good in the first two rows, but the third row only fits small children.
Cargo space is very good compared to other small SUVs offering 36.4 cubic feet of room behind the second row, and up to 73 with the seats folded flat.
How Does the RAV4 Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota 4Runner is a popular rival costing about $3,000 more. Passenger room and off road performance are both better in the 4Runner, but the RAV4 is more efficient. We recommend the RAV4 since it’s cheaper, but if you need the extra space the 4Runner is a very reliable choice.
The Honda CR-V is another competitor that costs about $1,000 less. Technology is more up-to-date in the CR-V, but the RAV4 is more powerful with the V6 engine. We recommend the RAV4 since they last a little longer, but both are great compact SUVs.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota RAV4?
Yes. It is a reliable vehicle with very few problems. It has been reliable for my family and I for many years. It gets great gas mileage and is not expensive to maintain.
Yes, the Toyota rav4 is a great car. It is small enough to fit anywhere I need to go, but the trunk still has plenty of room. It is fun to drive and very reliable.
Yes, it is efficient for hauling larger loads or for transporting children. There is room to put the seats down to make a larger trunk as well with handles from the trunk so you do not have to walk to each side of the car to put the seat down.
Yes, it is a great vehicle, although there are a few features that could use some improvement such as the literal bells and ding noises.
Yes, it has its issues but a reliable 4wd vehicle. I would change the wheels to rims instead of having hubcaps though. Airing up tires can be complicated and painful. It has had minimal upkeep within 200,000 miles. Maintenance is relatively inexpensive.
Yes, I have had this car for about 3-4 years and I have had no problems with it. I use this car everyday to go to school and work.
Yes! It is very durable and comfortable. It has a lot of high end features and it is a very attractive car. I like that I have plenty of space in the trunk as well as in the seats. This car is an excellent road-trip car for small families or teenagers.
Yes! It has a ton of cargo space. The back seats slide forward and back for additional room. It is also very easy to handle on the road.
