Used Car Review - Toyota RAV4 2012 Limited

The third generation RAV4 spanned from 2005-2012 and marked a significant advancement of the previous model. One of the characteristics that was most notable to the AA when we reviewed this all-new generation RAV4 in 2006 was its size.

The 2012 RAV4 sits on a chassis that has a longer wheel base and a wider track over its predecessor. The increase in the size of the third generation RAV4 made for not only a much more comfortable vehicle but also made it a lot more practical.

Our RAV4 Limited model featured roof rails and smart 17-inch alloy wheels. Interestingly the spare tyre is stowed in the side swinging rear tail gate, the way this door opens can be problematic if you park close to a wall, so it is important to be mindful of this.

With the rear swing door opening this way however, it offers superior access to the cargo area. There is also an integrated plastic bumper protector to preserve the paint work when loading and unloading gear.

The front of the RAV4 is quite reserved by today’s standards and the grill is relatively small, there are also compact fog lights finished in a chrome embellisher. Overall, it has a conservative yet sporty look with its cheeky spoiler, which in many ways is reminiscent of its rival the Honda CR-V of the same vintage.

The interior was comfortable with dark fabric two tone seats. For the 2012 RAV4 Limited model when first launched, buyers could also opt for a sunroof and leather seats package for an additional $1900. However, the standard seats were completely fine and have proven to be durable and have stood up well considering mileage the vehicle we reviewed had done over the years.

The rear seats have a fold down arm rest with room for two decent sized drinks, in fact all the doors contain drink bottle holders. There are also netted seatback covers to store your items and still have them visible, which is a nice touch if you have forgetful children in the back.

The factory stereo can also be controlled via the steering wheel making it easy to control whilst driving, the six-disc six-speaker audio system also has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can still connect your more modern devices for streaming.

Compared to the previous generation RAV4, the space in the rear has increased a lot thanks to the new rear suspension, which improves the space between the wheel wells by 230mm to 1.1m. Thus, allowing the total cargo volume with the rear seats up to achieve 540-litres, 35% more than the old RAV4.

Most of the RAV4 models sold in New Zealand received the same 2.4-litre power plant, which delivers 125kW @6000rpm and 224Nm @4000rpm. The transmission is a simple and conventional four-speed automatic, which continues to perform just fine all these years on.

Interestingly there was a 2.2-litre Diesel engine option available and fitted exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, although these are harder to find on the market these days.

We found the drive comfortable, light and nimble for an SUV, this may possibly be due to many modern SUVs becoming progressively bigger over the years as a comparison. At cruising speeds the noise level was also acceptable. The cabin, while simple, was very usable and conventional with all key controls exactly where we would expect them to be.

This RAV4 features an Active Torque Control 4WD system, which means that the vehicle only drives in two-wheel drive unless front wheel slippage is detected. An electronically operated differential mounted clutch system will automatically supply up to 50% of drive torque to the rear wheels depending on road and driving conditions.

In slippery conditions a manually operated 4WD-locking switch mounted on the dash can provide maximum torque distribution (50/50) to the rear wheels if required. However, upon reaching 40kmh the auto lock will disengage automatically and revert the system back to auto mode.

The RAV4 third generation cemented its future and fixed many of the gripes that customers faced with the older and more compact earlier generations. Some may argue it lost some of its cutesy appeal, but we believe this model broadened its desirability to a larger audience, and that is why it is so popular today both on the new and used vehicle market.