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Photo of a Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4

The compact SUV that drew 8,000 first-month orders and made Toyota double production.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 41 sources

Also called

  • Urban 4WDLaunch-era label for the original compact three-door model.1
  • RAV 4.1An owner-given label for some 1998 variants carrying SXA11 rather than XA10 model codes.3

At a glance

0200400
67–324 hpPower
07.515
5.7–12.3 s0–60 mph
0100200
160–185 km/hTop speed
0200400
169.5–333.5 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,130–1,950 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.34781011141516

Layout
Gas/hybrid: front-engine FWD/AWD; 2012 EV: FWD379
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/5/6/8-speed automatics; CVTs, including hybrids3813
Built at
Motomachi/Tahara, Japan; Woodstock, Canada; Tianjin, China (by generation)3

The story

Chief engineer Masakatsu Nonaka faced resistance to a compact SUV. Named Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel-drive, the 1994 RAV4 mixed SUV space and visibility with car-like maneuverability.134

1989: RAV-FOUR previews a new kind of 4WD19891994: 8,000 orders force production to double19942006: V6 brings a 6.3-second sprint20062012: A Tesla-powered RAV4 EV20122016: Hybrid adds an electric rear axle20162019: GA-K body rigidity jumps 57%20192020: 10 million sold; world's top SUV20202021: Prime: 302 hp and plug-in range20212026: Electrified range adds GR SPORT2026 Toyota RAV-FOUR concept: 1989Toyota RAV4, first generation (XA10): 1994–2000XA10Toyota RAV4, second generation (XA20): 2000–2005XA20Toyota RAV4, third generation (XA30): 2005–2016XA30Toyota RAV4, fourth generation (XA40): 2013–2018XA40Toyota RAV4, sixth generation: 2026–present 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones123451118
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1989Toyota RAV-FOUR concept
1994–2000Toyota RAV4, first generation (XA10)
2000–2005Toyota RAV4, second generation (XA20)
2005–2016Toyota RAV4, third generation (XA30)
2013–2018Toyota RAV4, fourth generation (XA40)
2026–presentToyota RAV4, sixth generation
1989RAV-FOUR previews a new kind of 4WD
19948,000 orders force production to double
2006V6 brings a 6.3-second sprint
2012A Tesla-powered RAV4 EV
2016Hybrid adds an electric rear axle
2019GA-K body rigidity jumps 57%
202010 million sold; world's top SUV
2021Prime: 302 hp and plug-in range
2026Electrified range adds GR SPORT
  1. 1989

    RAV-FOUR previews a new kind of 4WD

    The Tokyo concept sketches a compact 4WD; a reworked show car in 1993 brings the idea closer to production.15

  2. 1994

    8,000 orders force production to double

    The monocoque, 2.0-liter three-door launches in Japan in May. First-month orders reach 8,000 against a 4,500 monthly forecast, doubling production.1

  3. 2006

    V6 brings a 6.3-second sprint

    The Limited 4WD V6 pairs 269 hp with a five-speed automatic, hits 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and surprises testers with restrained roll.6

  4. 2012

    A Tesla-powered RAV4 EV

    Jointly developed with Tesla, the RAV4 EV uses a 41.8-kWh lithium-ion pack; Sport mode delivers 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds and a 160 km/h maximum.7

  5. 2016

    Hybrid adds an electric rear axle

    The AWD Hybrid's rear motor needs no driveshaft; claimed 0-60 mph is 8.1 seconds. Testers find a smooth ride, with more roll than they'd like.8

  6. 2019

    GA-K body rigidity jumps 57%

    The fifth generation becomes the first SUV on GA-K, gains 57% body rigidity, and introduces a new 2.5-liter Dynamic Force hybrid system.9

  7. 2020

    10 million sold; world's top SUV

    Cumulative sales pass 10 million in February, across five generations. The RAV4 also finishes 2019 as the world's best-selling SUV.5

  8. 2021

    Prime: 302 hp and plug-in range

    Prime brings 302 hp, an expected 68 km EV range and 94 mpg-e. With the Premium package, XSE needs 2.5 hours on Level 2; Hybrid makes 83 hp less.10

  9. 2026

    Electrified range adds GR SPORT

    The sixth generation goes hybrid-only in Canada. Its first North American GR SPORT adds GR-tuned suspension and a PHEV system announced at up to 324 hp.1112

Every generation

  • Toyota RAV4, first generation
    XA101994–2000
  • Toyota RAV4, second generation
    XA202000–2005
  • Toyota RAV4, third generation
    XA302005–2016
  • Toyota RAV4, fourth generation
    XA402013–2018
  • Toyota RAV4, sixth generation
    Toyota RAV4, sixth generation2026–present

Power over the years

From 127 hp to 324 hp in 32 years.

0100200300400 1995200020052010201520202025 hp 1994 · 127 hp · UK launch 2.0 L AWD1997 · 67 hp · RAV4 EV1998 · 177 hp · RAV4 J Type G 3S-GE (180 PS)2004 · 161 hp · US/Australia 2.4 L2006 · 269 hp · Limited 4WD 3.5 L V62013 · 176 hp · 2.5 L, six-speed automatic2016 · 194 hp · Hybrid AWD2019 · 203 hp · 2.5 L gas, eight-speed automatic2019 · 219 hp · 2.5 L Hybrid AWD2021 · 302 hp · Prime2026 · 236 hp · Canada Hybrid2026 · 324 hp · PHEV (announced maximum) 324 hp PHEV (announced maximum) 127 hp UK launch 2.0 L AWD
236891011121718
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1994127UK launch 2.0 L AWD
199767RAV4 EV
1998177RAV4 J Type G 3S-GE (180 PS)
2004161US/Australia 2.4 L
2006269Limited 4WD 3.5 L V6
20131762.5 L, six-speed automatic
2016194Hybrid AWD
20192032.5 L gas, eight-speed automatic
20192192.5 L Hybrid AWD
2021302Prime
2026236Canada Hybrid
2026324PHEV (announced maximum)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    LE / XLE / Limited

    2024

    203 hp
  • First-generation three-door / five-door / Soft Top

    Standard

    First-generation three-door / five-door / Soft Top

    1994–2000

  • Standard

    Hybrid SE / XSE

    2024

    219 hp
  • Core / Sport / Rugged

    Standard

    Core / Sport / Rugged

    2026

  • Prime

    Performance

    Prime

    2024

    302 hp
  • Reebok

    Special

    Reebok

    2000

    126 hp
  • Altitude

    Limited

    Altitude

  • Hybrid Woodland Edition

    Limited

    Hybrid Woodland Edition

    2024

    219 hp

  • Performance

    RAV4 J Type G

    1998

    177 hp
  • RAV4 EV (first generation)

    Limited

    RAV4 EV (first generation)

    1997–2003

    67 hp
  • RAV4 EV (Tesla)

    Special

    RAV4 EV (Tesla)

    2012–2014

    154 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: a full-size spare rides on the rear door.314
  • Second-generation D-4D diesels have an intercooler scoop on the hood.5
  • Third generation: taillights wrap around the rear corners.6
  • Fourth generation: a large trapezoidal opening dominates the lower front bumper.21
  • Fifth generation: the taillight-and-rear-window line angles downward at both outer edges.9

Year by year

  1. 1998

    First-generation facelift brings crystal-style headlight and rear-light lenses; the Cabrio adds a convertible rear roof.5

  2. 2004

    Australian facelift cars gain a new front bumper, round fog lights and white turn signals replacing orange.3

  3. 2013

    Fourth generation replaces the side-opening rear door with a top-hinged hatch and removes the exterior spare.1821

  4. 2016

    Fourth-generation facelift raises the hood, unifies the grille and adds faux skid plates; the rear bumper has less black cladding.8

  5. 2019

    Fifth generation adopts polygon-inspired bodywork and moves the mirrors lower onto the front doors.9

  6. 2026

    The redesign gains a hammerhead nose; Woodland switches from bronze alloys to black 18-inch wheels.111219

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Toyota RAV4
    RAV4
    Photo of a Mitsuoka Buddy
    Mitsuoka Buddy

    Mitsuoka Buddy

    Exaggerated K5 Blazer-style bodywork covers a RAV4 underneath.18

  • Photo of a Toyota RAV4
    RAV4
    Photo of a Toyota Vanguard
    Toyota Vanguard

    Toyota Vanguard

    Japan's extended third-generation relative has a revised grille, bumper, hood and headlights.3

Against its rivals

  • RAV4 vs Honda CR-V Touring (2020)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    RAV48.2 s
    Honda CR-V Touring (2020)7.6 s
    22
  • Mazda CX-5 (2020)

    RAV4 vs Mazda CX-5 (2020)

    Noise at 113 km/h lower is better

    RAV466 dB
    Mazda CX-5 (2020)66 dB
    22

Prices

Value today $8.5K–$15.5K1530

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 1995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $8,500–$15,500 1996 · $17,468 · US base, five-door1996 · $21,128 · US as tested, 4WD five-speed2012 · $49,800 · US base, EV2016 · $29,270 · US base, Hybrid XLE2021 · $39,220 · US base, Prime SE2021 · $42,545 · US base, Prime XSE2024 · $24,383 · Canada LE MSRP, CAD x ~0.742024 · $27,070 · Canada LE est.+fees, CAD x ~0.742026 · $27,375 · Canada LE AWD MSRP, CAD x ~0.732026 · $30,045 · Canada LE AWD est.+fees, CAD x ~0.73 1996 · $17,468 · US five-door base price, 1996 model year 2023 · $12,750 · 1998 AWD manual Soft Top, 186k miles, BaT2024 · $11,250 · 1996 AWD, 35k miles, BaT2024 · $12,999 · 2004 L 4WD, 68k miles, BaT2025 · $13,000 · 1999 2-door AWD 5-speed, 117k miles, BaT2025 · $46,000 · 2024 Prime XSE, 410 miles, BaT2026 · $12,000 · 1997 FWD 5-speed, 58k miles, BaT2026 · $15,500 · 2012 V6 AWD, 62k miles, BaT2026 · $8,500 · 2002 4WD 5-speed, 143k miles, BaT2026 · $14,550 · 2008 V6 4WD, 51k miles, BaT2026 · $6,111 · 2014 EV, 47k miles, BaT $46.0K BaT, 2025
5781012141519303135363738394041
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1996Launch price$17,468US five-door base price, 1996 model year
1996Price when new$17,468US base, five-door
1996Price when new$21,128US as tested, 4WD five-speed
2012Price when new$49,800US base, EV
2016Price when new$29,270US base, Hybrid XLE
2021Price when new$39,220US base, Prime SE
2021Price when new$42,545US base, Prime XSE
2024Price when new$24,383Canada LE MSRP, CAD x ~0.74
2024Price when new$27,070Canada LE est.+fees, CAD x ~0.74
2026Price when new$27,375Canada LE AWD MSRP, CAD x ~0.73
2026Price when new$30,045Canada LE AWD est.+fees, CAD x ~0.73
2023Auction sale$12,7501998 AWD manual Soft Top, 186k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$11,2501996 AWD, 35k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$12,9992004 L 4WD, 68k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,0001999 2-door AWD 5-speed, 117k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$46,0002024 Prime XSE, 410 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$12,0001997 FWD 5-speed, 58k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$15,5002012 V6 AWD, 62k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,5002002 4WD 5-speed, 143k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,5502008 V6 4WD, 51k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,1112014 EV, 47k miles, BaT
2026Value today$8,500–$15,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “10 million RAV4s in 26 years”
    • “2WD champion, then a 300-plus-hp AWD RAV4”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 41 sources
  1. Once upon a time, the Toyota RAV4 newsroom.toyota.eu
  2. Celebrating The Original: 20 Years Of The Toyota RAV4 - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  3. Toyota RAV4 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  5. Toyota RAV4 History | Toyota UK mag.toyota.co.uk
  6. 2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD V-6 Road Test caranddriver.com
  7. Toyota Unveils 'RAV4 EV' Jointly Developed with Tesla | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website global.toyota
  8. First Drive: All-New 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid caranddriver.com
  9. The new Toyota RAV4 hybrid newsroom.toyota.eu
  10. 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV Drive Review: Better Than the Regular Hybrid? motortrend.com
  11. Three...Two...One… Toyota Debuts Amazing All-New RAV4 media.toyota.ca
  12. The Canadian-built RAV4 is all-new for 2026, and offered at suggested prices that deliver excellent value media.toyota.ca
  13. 2024 Toyota RAV4: Go Wild in Style prnewswire.com
  14. Tested: 1996 Toyota RAV4 Starts Something Big caranddriver.com
  15. No Reserve: 2012 Toyota RAV4 V6 AWD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,500 on September 10, 2026 (Lot #262,525) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  16. New RAV4 In Training With Reebok - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  17. ＲＡＶ４ Ｊ(1998年8月～2000年5月) ＲＡＶ４ Ｊ タイプＧの車両情報 | トヨタ認定中古車 | トヨタ自動車WEBサイト toyota.jp
  18. History of the Toyota RAV4 caranddriver.com
  19. What’s New: 2024 Toyota RAV4 Family media.toyota.ca
  20. TOYOTA RELEASE LIMITED EDITION ALTITUDE RAV4 - JUST 4X4S just4x4s.com.au
  21. The new RAV4 newsroom.toyota.eu
  22. Six-Way 2020 Compact SUV Battle caranddriver.com
  23. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  24. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  25. A Chat with 2019 Toyota RAV4 Chief Engineer Yoshikazu Saeki - Mobility Engineering Technology mobilityengineeringtech.com
  26. Top rally cars ready to compete in the 2019 ARA Championship autoweek.com
  27. 全日本ラリー選手権でクラス２連勝を果たしたトヨタRAV4 PHEVはとにかくターマックが激速だった | 自動車情報・ニュース WEB CARTOP webcartop.jp
  28. The Gran Turismo 7 September Update: Five New Cars and Five Race Events! - NEWS - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  29. Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.63 available today – PlayStation.Blog blog.playstation.com
  30. No Reserve: 2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,500 on September 24, 2026 (Lot #264,877) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 1998 Toyota RAV4 AWD 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,750 on July 10, 2023 (Lot #113,010) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. Toyota Extends Warranty on RAV4 hybrid power cables to 8 years/160,000 km - Automobile Protection Association apa.ca
  33. Used Toyota RAV4 buying guide: 2006-2013 (Mk6) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  34. Used Toyota RAV4 (Mk4, 2013-2018) review and buyer's guide | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  35. No Reserve: 1997 Toyota RAV4 4-Door 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,000 on August 11, 2026 (Lot #257,048) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,111 on March 9, 2026 (Lot #232,712) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $46,000 on June 24, 2025 (Lot #197,649) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 2008 Toyota RAV4 4WD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,550 on May 22, 2026 (Lot #244,015) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 1999 Toyota RAV4 2-Door AWD 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,000 on September 2, 2025 (Lot #208,137) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 35k-Mile 1996 Toyota RAV4 AWD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,250 on August 3, 2024 (Lot #156,998) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. No Reserve: 2004 Toyota RAV4 L 4WD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,999 on July 31, 2024 (Lot #156,635) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • newsroom.toyota.eu
  • media.toyota.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • toyota-global.com
  • mag.toyota.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • global.toyota
  • motortrend.com
  • media.toyota.ca
  • prnewswire.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • toyota.jp
  • just4x4s.com.au
  • mobilityengineeringtech.com

Photo credits

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