What is Toyota's Best RAV4 Year?

The Toyota RAV4 has rave reviews to its name. But what is its best year? Take a look to see which RAV4s consumers love best and ones they would rather avoid.
Written by Hannah DeWitt
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Blue Toyota RAV4 outside a brown house
The
Toyota
RAV4 has been a consumer favorite for a long time now, its many features earning it high ratings in the 4-door SUV market. It’s a versatile vehicle, able to double as a family vehicle while also adapting to any lifestyle. 
The RAV4 has many models that can become overwhelming for anyone looking to buy. But what is the RAV4’s best year?

Experts think the 2017 and 2018 models are RAV4's best years

Toyota has been producing the RAV4 since 1994. That means there are several years and several models to be considered. 
Some experts feel Toyota had a good run with its 2017 and 2018 RAV4 models. According to
Motor Biscuit
, the 2017 model is affordable, selling at around $15,000 and $25,000. 
As with many Toyota models, the 2017 vehicle comes with many standard safety features. Its stand-out features include automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning.
Cars.com
gives the model 4.8 stars for its exterior, reliability, and comfort. 
On the flip side, the 2018 RAV4 had some minor customer complaints due to braking, paint, and minor steering issues, but overall, it is a great vehicle. Like its counterpart, the 2018 model is an affordable vehicle selling between $15,000 and $26,000. 
Cars.com also gave the car 4.8 stars for performance, liability, interior, comfort, and exterior styling.
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Which Toyota years should you stay away from?

MORE: Is Toyota Changing Their Minds on EVs?
Over the years, Toyota has earned a reputation for being one of the most reliable vehicle brands. This means that if you have a vehicle like the Toyota Sequoia or the Toyota Tacoma, you'll probably have it for the rest of your life.
However, Toyota’s RAV4 has fallen short of the brand's good name with some of its models. According to
Car Complaints
, the 2013 total RAV4 seems to have garnered the most complaints, with the most issues centering around interior accessory issues. 
The complaints indicate that the navigation display is reportedly challenging to see and impossible to use, especially during the day. 

What are the main issues people have with their RAV4s?

MORE: 4 Best 2-Door SUVs
The major issue with most of these models seems to be the brakes and transmission. The 2013 RAV4 also had problems with transmission for some drivers on the site. 
The drivers reported shaking and vibrating at low speeds, with the stuttering getting worse over time.
Another recent model, the 2019 Toyota RAV4, also faces the same issues as its 2013 counterpart. Drivers have complained about irregular shifts and transmission slippage with the 2019 model, with the vehicle being prone to lurching and hesitating at slower speeds.

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