A 12 months in the past, we took a have a look at the best Toyota RAV4 model years to buy. In that story, we instructed you that the 2022 Toyota RAV4 simply earns a spot on the listing with fewer-than-average on-line complaints and higher-than-averaege reliability scores, together with J.D. Energy’s highest reliability ranking for any mannequin 12 months of RAV4 on this era but. The 2018 Toyota RAV4 had a powerful reliability rating from J.D. Energy and Associates and few complaints as effectively. Ditto the 2004-2005 fashions, which have been strong bets the place excessive reliability and a low variety of complaints tempted customers with the promise of a assured possession expertise.
2023 Toyota RAV4
- Engine
-
2.5L Inline-4 Fuel
- Horsepower
-
203 hp
- Gasoline Economic system
-
27/35 MPG
However amongst all of those, which Toyota RAV4 mannequin 12 months is prone to be essentially the most dependable general now, in 2025, and which mannequin 12 months is the perfect one for used automobile customers to purchase? Seems, the reply is definitely MY2023. Under, we’ll run by way of a full background examine to indicate you why – and reveal just a few vital issues to think about alongside the best way.
We revisit the RAV4’s most dependable 12 months because it at present stands in 2025. however particularly for the present fifth era, which launched for MY2019. All info was appropriate on the time of publishing.
Up To Pace On The Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 ignited the compact crossover SUV section after an preliminary debut in 1995 for the 1996 mannequin 12 months. On the big-screen, Independence Day was the most important blockbuster, Pearl Jam and Nirvana have been dominating the airwaves, and on any given Friday evening, you’d in all probability spot just a few Dakotas, Tauruses and Oldsmobile Cutlasses parked exterior your native Blockbuster, too.
The first generation of the Honda CR-V would arrive a 12 months later for the 1997 mannequin 12 months, and the Ford Escape wouldn’t be a part of the scene till 4 years after that (2001). Earlier than lengthy, the RAV4 would become the crossover to beat.
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Quick ahead just a few many years and generations, and we’re now within the period of the modern-day Toyota RAV4, whose fourth era launched for 2013, received an replace for 2016, and was in the end changed by the fifth and current-generation RAV4 for 2019. That is the place we’ll focus our seek for the perfect mannequin 12 months to purchase, given the most recent security enhancements of the day, and the safety-minded nature of household SUV customers.
An Necessary Caveat
Neither the RAV4’s status nor its awards, place on web reliability lists, or any rating on an professional level scale is a assure that the particular unit you are shopping for is dependable, reliable or trouble-free. The best way the particular RAV4 you’re contemplating was pushed, maintained and cared for by earlier homeowners will in the end dictate the reliability you’ll expertise in actual life. Nonetheless, reliability rankings may help level you in the precise path. Here is what a few of the consultants are saying.
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Why the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Seems to be The Most Dependable
For the 2022 mannequin 12 months, the Toyota RAV4 was in its fourth 12 months of manufacturing in its present (fifth) era, serving to it earn fewer proprietor complaints and above-average reliability scores from J.D. Energy. From that foundation, Toyota upgraded key elements of the RAV4 for 2023, including a brand new multimedia system to all fashions in addition to an clever assistant, twin Bluetooth cellphone connectivity, greater and higher shows, and built-in Wi-Fi. Notably, 2023 upgrades to the RAV4’s infotainment and security depart the underlying powertrains, construction, platform and structure unchanged. They merely replace two digital methods in a extremely confirmed platform that is powered by a highly-proven engine and transmission household.
In fashionable automobiles, infotainment systems are a key trouble area, and the most recent infotainment tech utilized to the 2023 RAV4 stands to assist mitigate this. Now able to Over The Air (OTA) software updates, upgraded options, fixes and patches might be rolled out mechanically, presumably stopping points earlier than they occur and making the system extra dependable. That’s mirrored in J.D. Energy’s reliability scoring, which noticed the 2022 RAV4 rated at 81/100 factors for High quality and Reliability, in keeping with J.D. Energy. For the 2023 replace, the High quality and Reliability rating drops by 5 factors to 76, although recollects fell from 2 to 1. For 2024, the High quality and Reliability Rating climbs again to 80.
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However High quality and Reliability scores are simply a part of the equation. Between 2022 and 2023, the RAV4’s recollects fell from 2 to 1, and whereas recollects do not essentially have an effect on reliability, many competitor fashions have a dozen or extra recollects, and fewer recalls is usually a signal that extra points have been caught and solved in manufacturing, earlier than automobiles ship to clients. By 2023, the RAV4 can also be within the fifth 12 months of manufacturing on the most recent platform, which means that Toyota’s groups, machines, suppliers, and factories have lots of expertise into the present machine. This will encourage confidence and is usually related to greater reliability scores than first-year fashions as bugs and points are labored out in manufacturing.
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Working example? CarComplaints.com experiences 131 complaints for the 2019 RAV4, its first 12 months on this platform. By 2023, that determine had dropped to simply 5. That is removed from a strong metric of real-world reliability, however low grievance numbers are extremely reassuring.
In comparison with earlier RAV4s, the most recent era usually has a fraction of the recollects, complaints, and producer communications in comparison with earlier models. The previous few years of RAV4 manufacturing usually have 1 recall, if any.
2023 Toyota RAV4
- J.D. Energy High quality And Reliability Ranking: 76/100
- Kelley Blue Guide Ranking: 4.6/5 stars
- RepairPal Annual Upkeep Price: NA
- NHTSA Remembers: 1
- NHTSA Complaints: 62
The Different Nice Purpose To Go With A 2023
The RAV4’s 2023 replace additionally brings the most recent Toyota Security Sense 2.5 system (TSS 2.5) to the usual tools listing, upgrading from earlier fashions with the ‘2.0’ model of the system. Translation? All RAV4 fashions from 2023 and on get a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection together with emergency steering help to help in evasive maneuvers. Full-speed-range adaptive cruise management and lane-departure alert are additionally normal, with lane tracing obtainable when the cruise management is energetic. Computerized excessive beams and road-sign help are included too.
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Optionally available driver-assistance features added to the RAV4 in 2023 included a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, entrance and rear parking sensors with computerized braking, and a surround-view digicam. Not solely may these options save your life and enhance the long run resale worth of your used RAV4, however they may scale back your insurance coverage premiums versus an earlier 2022 mannequin with previous-generation security tech, so remember to examine together with your dealer.
The Particulars Of The 2023 Toyota RAV4
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is the fifth manufacturing 12 months of the fifth-generation RAV4, dubbed ‘XA50’. It’s inbuilt Ontario, Canada, and competes primarily with the Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue. Pricing began at $27,575 for a base-model unit with the XLE, XLE Premium, and Restricted coming in at $29,085, $31,975, and $35,880, respectively. Search for 203 horsepower from the usual 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, teamed up with a standard 8-speed computerized.
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Customers after a extra primary unit can take a look at the RAV4 LE, whereas the XLE and Premium add must-have options value-bundled into inexpensive packages to make up the mid-range of the RAV4 lineup. Extra adventurous and rugged variations included the Journey mannequin, and TRD Off-Highway, the latter fitted with specialised styling, wheels, suspension and skid plate provisions. There was additionally the RAV4 Restricted, which flaunts the entire RAV4’s high-end options.
|
Engine |
2.5L NA I4 |
|
Horsepower |
203 hp |
|
Torque |
184 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed computerized |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD or AWD |
|
Cargo Quantity (behind 2nd row) |
37.6 cubic toes |
|
Trim Ranges |
LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Journey, TRD Off-Highway, Restricted |
|
Beginning MSRP (2023) |
$27,575 (LE) – $37,195 (TRD Off-Highway) |
What It Prices To Keep
In line with Repairpal.com, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 has no issues reported and earns a superb rating for reliability, rating third out of 26 small SUVs. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 you’re contemplating is probably going coveted as a result of some portion of remaining manufacturing unit guarantee is left too – which means it will not seemingly want an costly restore for a while. Although Repairpal doesn’t have sufficient knowledge to counsel an annual maintenance price for the 2023 Toyota RAV4 but, it does present the next figures for widespread jobs when and if the time comes.
- Oil pump substitute $1,960 – $2,369
- Transmission fluid change $183 – $215
- Windshield washer pump substitute $159 – $218
- Headlamp alignment adjustment $35 – $44
- Energy steering leak inspection $44 – $56
- Axle shaft seal substitute $202 – $249
- Wheel lug stud substitute $38 – $47
- Mass airflow sensor substitute $237 – $355
- Transmission mount substitute $264 – $287
- Trailing arm substitute $326 – $358
In line with CarEdge.com, automobile insurance coverage for a Toyota RAV4 will run about $1,912 per 12 months primarily based on a 40-year-old driver with report, good credit score, full protection, and who does 13,000 miles a 12 months. That is $983 lower than the nationwide common for common SUV fashions.
What It Prices To Purchase A 2023 RAV4 In 2025
2023 mannequin 12 months pricing for the Toyota RAV4 noticed the majority of the mannequin vary concentrated across the low-to-mid $30,000 vary, with the TRD Off-Highway taking the highest place within the value vary at $37,195.
2023 Toyota RAV4 US MSRP:
- LE: $27,575
- XLE: $29,085
- XLE Premium: $31,975
- Journey: $33,770
- TRD Off-Highway: $37,195
- Restricted: $35,880
In line with KBB.com, a 2023 Toyota RAV4 has depreciated $5,137 (16%) up to now two years, for a resale worth round $25,873 (or a trade-in worth of $22,624). After all, these are estimates solely, and your outcomes will fluctuate. Nonetheless, it exhibits the sturdy residual worth that pulls many patrons to Toyota. For comparability, KBB.com says {that a} Honda CR-V in the identical interval has depreciated by 20%, with the Hyundai Tuscon, Tesla Mannequin Y and Ford Escape depreciating by 31%, 36% and 39%, respectively.
Sources: Toyota, KBB, CarComplaints, J.D. Power.
