Fourth generation Toyota RAV4. Crossover Toyota RAV4 III generation Toyota RAV 3 generation

The power unit has also changed - instead of the old 2- and 2.4-liter engines, a new two-liter engine from Avensis with a progressive Valvematic system appeared, and a 4-speed automatic transmission replaced the CVT. However, the extended version of Long, until the change of generations, was sold with the old exterior design, 2.4 engine and automatic transmission.

Offer on the market

Despite the fact that the third generation of Toyota RAV4 did not live as freely on the Russian market as the first two, and had to compete with other crossovers (including the Nissan Qashqai), there are a lot of cars on the secondary market. Therefore, there is no need to cling to a specific instance when searching for a car - there are plenty of options. Traditionally, there are fewer cars of the first and last year of production than 2007-2011. In 2006, old stocks of the predecessor were sold off, and in 2012, buyers were waiting for the fourth generation. As for the bodies, the extended version with three rows of seats, which debuted in 2009, did not gain much popularity. In the supply structure there are only 7% of them. The remaining 93% are standard wheelbase vehicles. Among engines, the undisputed leader is the old two-liter (152 hp). In combination with a 4-speed automatic transmission, it is installed on 43% of cars, and with a 5-speed manual transmission - on 10%.

In Russia, the RAV4 was offered in several trim levels, including modifications with a 2.0- or 2.4-liter engine, as well as standard and extended versions - with wheelbase sizes of 2560 and 2660 mm, respectively. Quite a rich standard equipment of the simplest version includes front fog lights, heated electric mirrors, heated rear window, headlight washers, fabric upholstery, electric power steering, electric heated front seats, central locking with remote control, electric windows, spare full-size wheel, CD- player. Richer configurations may include cruise control, electric front seats, leather interior, engine start with a button, rain and light sensors, roof rails, and larger wheels. The first modernization of the RAV4 took place in 2008, and in 2010 an updated, restyled model was introduced.

Two engines were offered for the RAV4: a two-liter gasoline 158-horsepower or a 2.4-liter 170-horsepower engine. The first was offered in configurations with a 6-speed manual transmission (front-wheel drive or 4WD) or a CVT (4WD). The second is with an automatic 4-speed adaptive transmission and all-wheel drive system (the most expensive configurations are “Long Comfort Plus” and “Long Prestige Plus”).

Toyota RAV4 is equipped with a fully independent suspension. Structurally, the front suspension, mounted on a subframe, is a MacPherson strut with triangular arms and a stabilizer bar, and the rear is an independent design on double wishbones, also with a stabilizer bar. The suspension setup is quite rigid, low-profile tires add additional “rigor” in motion, perhaps at the expense of comfort, but give the RAV4 excellent handling. The all-wheel drive transmission works in such a way that in most situations the front-wheel drive is used, the rear-wheel drive is automatically engaged in case of slipping.

Guarding the safety of the RAV4 are the VSC exchange rate stability system, TRC traction control, and ABS. The energy-absorbing mechanism is built into the steering column. Reinforcement elements are built into the doors, panels and roof. The maximum configuration includes eight airbags, two of which are two-stage airbags: their deployment changes depending on the force of the impact. Expensive trim levels use the Integrated Active Drive active safety system, which works in conjunction with an all-wheel drive transmission and a stabilization system, making the crossover less susceptible to skidding and drifting. The high level of safety is confirmed by crash tests.

The RAV4 is a car with a balanced set of characteristics. It has a certain charm: the appearance is very harmonious. A relative disadvantage is the high cost, however, the reduction in price as they age occurs quite slowly. Compared to the previous generation, the model has become more comfortable, more convenient, and a variety of “things” have been added that will be appreciated by drivers who are accustomed to carrying everything they need with them: an organizer in the luggage compartment, in which you can place a variety of items without compromising the interior space; Lots of glove compartments and pockets. The third generation RAV4 is rightfully considered one of the best SUVs of the past decade.

Offer on the market

17.11.2016

Toyota RAV4– one of the most popular crossovers for many years, it combines convenience, practicality and utilitarian style. This Japanese car is a trendsetter in its segment, and its third generation has not left even the most skeptical car enthusiasts indifferent. The previous two generations of Toyota Rav 4 have gained a reputation as reliable and unpretentious cars, but now we’ll try to find out how things are with reliability in the third generation, and what to look for when buying a car older than 5 years.

A little history:
The third generation of Toyota Rav 4 has been produced since 2006, the car is presented in two modifications, a version with a short wheelbase was produced for Europe and Asia, and a long one for North America. The third generation of the crossover has become a little larger than its predecessor; a new transmission has appeared with a multi-plate clutch driving the rear wheels. Also, starting from the third generation, the three-door version of the crossover was discontinued. In some markets, a seven-seat modification was also available, which in Japan was sold as a separate “Toyota Vanguard” model.
In 2008, the first restyling was carried out, as a result of which the car received a slightly changed appearance, and in the American market, instead of the 2.4 engine, they began to offer the 2.5 engine (180 hp). In the same year, the two-liter unit was also modernized, it had a variable valve timing system, and output increased to 158 hp. After restyling, official deliveries of versions with an extended wheelbase were established in most CIS countries. The 2010 restyling was more focused on changing the car's appearance, improving functionality and safety. Instead of a four-speed automatic, they began to install a CVT, and a five-speed manual was replaced by a more modern six-speed transmission. In the same year, official deliveries of cars with a modernized 2.0 engine (158 hp) began. The Toyota Rav 4 premiered at the Los Angeles Motor Show at the end of November 2012

Weaknesses of the third generation Toyota Rav 4 with mileage

Toyota Rav 4 was equipped with the following power units - gasoline 2.0 (152, 158 hp), 2.4 (170 hp) 3.5 (269 hp); diesel 2.2 (136, 150 and 177 hp). In the secondary market, two gasoline engines are most widespread, these are 2.0 and 2.4 liters; diesel cars are very rare for our market. The 2.4 engine is more aimed at the American market and does not tolerate high-octane fuel, so many mechanics recommend filling it only with 92-octane gasoline. The timing drive of both cars is chain, the service life of the chain and tensioner is about 200,000 km. The drive belt of the attachment requires replacement every 100,000 km.

After 150,000 km, gasoline engines begin to eat up oil; this problem can only be solved by replacing the piston rings. If the engine begins to lose power or idles rough, try cleaning the fuel injectors, this will most likely solve the problem. At a mileage of 150,000 km, the pump begins to leak, and if this is not taken care of, there is a high probability of the engine overheating. Also, in order not to overheat the engine, you should flush the radiator at least once a year. Otherwise, the engines are quite reliable and, with proper maintenance, will last 300-350 thousand km without problems.

Transmission

Until 2010, the Toyota Rav 4 was equipped with a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Later, the manufacturer replaced the automatic transmission with a CVT, and instead of a five-speed manual, they began installing a new six-speed manual transmission. Many fans of Rav 4 equipped with an automatic transmission were very disappointed with this replacement, since the automatic transmission did not cause any problems to its owners over the course of 300,000 km. The variator cannot be called unreliable, but still, it is not as long-lived as an automatic; the service life of the variator does not exceed 200,000 km. To extend the service life of an automatic transmission, many owners recommend changing its oil at least once every 60,000 km; failure to change the oil in a timely manner significantly reduces the service life of the box. Therefore, before buying a used car with an automatic transmission, make sure that the former owner changes the oil in a timely manner, otherwise, in the future, you may encounter serious problems. First of all, shocks appear when switching from first to second, then the hydraulic compensators will need to be replaced.

The mechanics are also quite reliable, but sometimes, at runs over 150,000 km, the first and second gears may begin to jam (replacement of synchronizers is required). As for the clutch, with careful operation it will last 100-120 thousand km. A common problem for both automatic and manual transmissions is leaking axle shaft seals.

All-wheel drive in all Toyota Rav 4, as on most SUVs, is connected via an electromagnetic clutch. On hard surfaces, only the front-wheel drive of the car is used, but at the slightest slip, the system automatically engages rear-wheel drive. On all-wheel drive vehicles, the oil in the rear differential needs to be changed (at least once every 40,000 km; neglect of these requirements leads to failure of the rear axle; replacing the clutch will cost 2,000 USD). If the previous owner rarely changed the oil, then when rear-wheel drive is connected, the differential will hum.

Chassis of the third generation Toyota Rav 4 with mileage

Toyota Rav 4 has the best handling among its competitors, and for this you have to pay for comfort; the suspension is quite rigid, because of this, even minor joints and holes can be felt in the car. People who like to ride comfortably may not like this. As for reliability, the car’s suspension is quite durable, but it is not cheap to repair. When buying a used car, in order not to invest a lot in repairs, pay special attention to diagnostics of the chassis. The front has a MacPherson strut suspension and the rear has a multi-link design. At each maintenance, the calipers need to be lubricated; if this is not done, they will begin to sour and jam.

As with most modern cars, you will most often have to change the struts and bushings of the anti-roll bar every 30-50 thousand km. Wheel bearings and ball joints last an average of 70-90 thousand km, shock absorbers, support bearings and silent blocks last 90-120 thousand km. The rear suspension arms last about 150,000 km. What causes the most trouble is the steering rack, or rather its bushings; in rare cases, they last more than 60,000 km. Fortunately, this unit is repairable, the manufacturer knows about this problem and therefore has produced a special repair kit (the repair is enough for 15-20 thousand km). But the tie rods and ends are quite durable and can last more than 100,000 km.

Salon

Despite its age, the interior of the third generation Toyota Rav 4 visually looks good and compares favorably with its competitors, but the quality of materials is no better than others, and in some places even worse. Also, car owners are not happy with the sound insulation. The electrical equipment that the Rav 4 is equipped with is very reliable, the only thing that causes criticism is the rear brake light switch, which is located under the brake pedal; quite often it burns out.

Result:

The third generation Toyota Rav 4 does not have any outstanding characteristics, but in terms of reliability, it is a very successful car. If you are a calm driver and you need a car for everyday trips to work, to the dacha, fishing or a picnic, then Rav 4 will be the right choice. But, if you expect some kind of emotion and drive from a car, then this car will greatly disappoint you.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Best regards, editor AutoAvenue

The third generation Toyota RAV4 (designation CA30W) went on sale in its homeland in November 2005, and in December in the USA and Canada. A little later, the RAV4 reached Europe. In 2010, the compact crossover was restyled. As a result, the head and rear optics and radiator grille have changed. The range of power units and gearboxes has been slightly adjusted.

Toyota RAV4 (2006 - 2008)

The three-door version will no longer be seen in this generation. It is worth noting that the American market offered cars with an extended wheelbase - 2.66 m versus 2.56 m.

Thanks to the tailgate, which opens to the right, the RAV 4 still looks like a small SUV. The spare tire hangs on the tailgate, unnecessarily straining the hinges. But there are copies without a spare wheel. They were equipped as standard with expensive run flat tires with a metal insert, allowing them to get to the nearest tire shop after a puncture.

The trunk is noticeably larger than its predecessor. When folding the rear seatback, a small threshold is created.

Engines

Before restyling, the European Toyota RAV4 was equipped with 2.0 liter gasoline engines (1AZ-FE) with a power of 152 hp. and 2.4 l (2AZ-FE) - 170 hp. The American version came with gasoline engines: 2.4 l and V6 3.5 l (2GR-FE) - 269 hp. After restyling, in European versions the 1AZ-FE gave way to the updated 2.0 l (3ZR-FE) with an output of 158 hp, and in the American 2AZ-FE it gave way to the 2AR-FE (2.5 l / 170 hp). RAV4 is also available with diesel engines with a displacement of 2.2 liters (2AD-FHV / 136 hp and 2AD-FTV / 177 hp).

All gasoline engines are generally reliable and do not cause any trouble. In exceptional cases, it becomes necessary to replace leaking oil seals. Owners of restyled Toyota RAV4 with a 2.0 liter gasoline engine note that the engine is noisier: diesel, clattering. This feature is caused by the Valvematic system, designed to smoothly change the valve lift height.

2.4 liter engines often begin to “take oil” with a mileage of more than 70-100 thousand km - about 2-3 liters from replacement to replacement.

The idyll is spoiled by the liquid cooling system pump (pump), which often begins to leak after 40-60 thousand km. In some cases, it reaches 80-100 thousand km. The cost of the pump from an official dealer is about 5,000 rubles. In auto parts stores, an original pump can be found for 3-4 thousand rubles, an analogue - for 1.5-2 thousand rubles. The work of replacing auto mechanics is estimated at 2-3 thousand rubles.

A “squirrel tail” can grow out of the exhaust pipe after 40-60 thousand kilometers. This is a poorly secured internal thermal and sound insulation of the muffler. With a mileage of more than 50-80 thousand km, the tensioner or guide roller of the drive belt of mounted units often begins to make noise.

Diesel engines are slightly less reliable than their gasoline counterparts. Fuel injectors operate reliably up to 200-300 thousand km. But there is one serious flaw. After 150,000 km, microcracks appear around the liners. As a result, the gasket under the head of the block burns out, and the coolant disappears without a trace. Repairs can only be performed once.

On the RAV4, there was a once widely known problem with Toyota cars - the gas pedal sticking in the pressed position. Real cases are rare. Toyota officially announced that the cause was the floor mats getting under the pedal. But few people know that CTS pedals were required to install an additional metal plate to ensure that the pedal returns to its original position. DENSO pedals do not have such modifications.

Transmission

An electromagnetic clutch is responsible for the distribution of torque between the axles. The coupling seals may leak after 50-100 thousand km. With a mileage of more than 100-150 thousand km, the clutch may hum. The reason is the loss of properties of the lubricant embedded in the bearing during assembly. A new bearing costs about 700-900 rubles, replacing it will cost 1.5-2 thousand rubles. The price of a new electric coupling assembly is about 20-25 thousand rubles.

The axle seals of the front and rear gearboxes may leak after 50-100 thousand km. A little later, with a mileage of more than 100-150 thousand km, the shank of the front or rear gearbox begins to “snot”.

It is worth noting that not all versions had an all-wheel drive system. Therefore, when inspecting, you should look under the car and check for the presence of a rear differential. If the car is all-wheel drive, then there must be a transmission lock button in the cabin.

The engines are paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. After restyling, the 5-speed manual transmission was replaced by a six-speed gearbox, and a CVT was installed with the 2.0 liter engine. All boxes are generally reliable and have no serious complaints, with a few exceptions. Thus, owners of RAV 4 with a 5-speed manual transmission note that the lever “bites” in first gear. It is possible to turn off the speed only after squeezing the clutch twice. Owners also note a slight howl when driving in 1st and 2nd gears. The clutch lasts more than 150-200 thousand km.

Toyota RAV4 (2008 - 2010)

The automatic machine may “cover itself” after replacing the working fluid, and not immediately, but after several tens of kilometers. Such cases are not uncommon. Official dealers confirm the presence of a similar problem and recommend changing the oil after a mileage of about 60 thousand km. If the mileage has already far exceeded these figures, then it is better to ride until the last minute. Dealers do not talk about the reasons for the failure of the box.

Chassis

One of Toyota's service campaigns is checking and replacing the lower rear suspension arms. When assembling the RAV4, due to insufficient tightening of the nuts during operation, they become loosened, which leads to a shift in the alignment of the rear axle wheels and a decrease in stability at high speeds. In addition, breakdowns appear on uneven surfaces.

The front stabilizer bar bushings last more than 30-50 thousand km. The struts “live” longer – up to 80-100 thousand km. The cost of a new bushing from dealers is about 1.5 thousand rubles, in spare parts stores - about 400-500 rubles, analogues are even cheaper - 200-300 rubles. The work of replacing bushings is estimated by dealers at 1.5 thousand rubles. The rear stabilizer struts and bushings have been used for more than 100 thousand km.

With a mileage of 60-100 thousand km, the front shock absorbers begin to “sweat”. The cost of the original shock absorber in “auto parts” is not much different from the dealer price - about 5-7 thousand rubles. The analogue is 2 times cheaper (about 3 thousand rubles). The rear shock absorbers are more durable, their service life is more than 150-200 thousand km. The silent blocks of the levers last the same amount of time.

Wheel bearings run more than 100-150 thousand km. They are replaced together with the hub. The cost of a new hub is about 5-6 thousand rubles, and replacement work is about 1-1.5 thousand rubles.

As a rule, there are no complaints about the braking system. In rare cases, it is necessary to replace a failed ABS sensor.

Knocks in the steering are not uncommon after 40-80 thousand km. As a rule, the culprit is either the steering cardan (4-5 thousand rubles), or the steering shaft (from 5 to 11 thousand rubles), or the steering rack (20-25 thousand rubles). Steering rods last more than 100 thousand km, but the manufacturer does not provide for their replacement. Steering rods only come with a new rack. But you can pick up an analogue for 700-800 rubles and replace it.

Conclusion

The third generation Toyota RAV4 is a completely reliable and practical car. You should only be wary of diesel versions. Gasoline engines practically do not break down.

Technical characteristics of Toyota RAV4 (2006-2013)

Engine	2.0 VVT-i		2.2 D-4D	2.2 D-4D	2.2 D-CAT
Working volume
Type/timing drive	gasoline/chain	gasoline/chain	turbodiesel/chain	turbodiesel/chain	turbodiesel/chain
Power
Torque

Speed
Fuel consumption	9.0 l/100 km	12.4 l / 100 km	6.6 l/100 km	6.2 l/100 km	7.0 l/100 km