Episode 70

full
Published on:

21st Sep 2023

Third Generation Toyota RAV4 Offers Fast, Affordable Fun With The V6

00:00 - A Compact SUV That Is Versatile, Affordable and Surprisingly Fast With Its V6 Engine

Sold in the US from model years 2006-2012, the third generation Toyota RAV4 was a compact SUV that offered buyers a wide range of features, drive modes and engine options to suit almost any buyer

01:00 - INTRO - The Third Generation Toyota RAV4 - What It Is

It’s the go-to recommended compact SUV option from me when someone says, I have about $10,000 to $12,000 to spend and I need a single vehicle to do a little bit of everything from people hauling, to commuting, to taking road trips and going on weekend adventures. 

02:00 - Why Might You Want One

  • Handsome Exterior Styling
  • Attractive Interior Styling

06:45 - Available In Three Different Models With A Wide Range Of Features, Drive Trains and Engine Choices

The third Gen RAV4 was available in Base, Sport and Limited Trim, with 2WD or 4WD and a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines

08:10 - Fuel Economy

The 2WD 4-cylinder models got the highest fuel economy and the 4WD 6-cylinder models got the lowest, but the combined US fuel economy rating difference between the highest and lowest models was only 2-mpg, so I recommend buying a V6 model with 4WD for quick acceleration, increased towing capacity and more fun behind the wheel.

11:15 - Exceptional Power And Performance With The V6 Engine

The 4-clylinder Third Gen RAV4s offered adequate power combined with a somewhat antiquated 4-speed automatic, however the 6-cylinder models were a different story. When first launched, the Third Gen RAV4 V6 models offered over 100-hp more than the 4-cylinder models, and came with a 5-speed automatic transmission that made better use of that power under all driving conditions.

12:45 - Braking And Handling

The 3rd Gen Toyota RAV4 drives more like a car than a truck or an SUV.  It’s taller, of course, and feels a little top-heavy on a winding road compared to a car, but it’s overall driving experience can best be described as “sporty”, and while there were different suspension and tire diameter combinations between models, all RAV4s handle well and offer confidence-inspiring braking.

14:35 - What Do Owners Think Of The Third Gen RAV4s?

Overall owners of the third generation RAV4 really like these sporty compact SUVs. For example, 94% of 2010 RAV4 owners who posted comments about their ownership experience would recommend the third generation RAV4 to others.

20:10 - Common Issues, Problems and Caveats

No used car is perfect, including the RAV4. We review some common issues and a couple of major problems that you should be aware of when considering the purchase of third generation RAV4.

29:00 - What To Look For When Buying A Third Gen RAV4

I would avoid the 2006-2008 2.4-liter 4-cylinder RAV4s unless the ring tension issue has been fixed, but the later 2009-2012 RAV4s with the 2.5-liter 4-clyinder should be fine. However, my top recommendation is a full-featured Sport or Limited 6-cylinder model with 4WD from 2009-2012 - preferably one from the final year or two of the production run. With nearly 270-hp and 4WD, along with decent fuel economy, this RAV4 configuration is a no-brainer choice for me.

31:30 - Third Gen RAV4 Price Range

  • $5,000-$8,000 - Maybe something okay, but probably not
  • $8,000-$10,000 - Solid choices, but still some potential issues
  • $10,000-$12,500 - You should find great RAV4s In this range
  • $12,500-$15,000 - The best low-mile private party RAV4s
  • $15,000 and above - Why? There are great RAV4s available for less - Try harder!

34:45 - WRAP UP

This versatile, efficient compact SUV came in many flavors from base, to sport, to limited models and was available with various engines, transmissions and drive modes, but I recommend that you set you sights possibly on a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder model, or definitely the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder model from 2009 to 2012 with 4WD. 

Configured in that manner, you will have one of the most sporty and fun-to-drive 3rd Gen RAV4’s available, as long as you find one that has been well maintained. 

Relevant Content Links:

2AZ-FE 4-cyl - Low Tension Piston Ring Issue – The Car Care Nut - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F994QmOD6W8

3.5-liter 6-cylinder oil leak from timing cover - The Car Care Nut - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMvjhUVjyc0&t=798s

2012 RAV4 Brochure/Options list: https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2012-rav4.pdf

NOTE: For different years of RAV4 brochures, copy and paste the ink into a browser window, then change to year to the one you want (e.g. 2006, 2007, etc.)

DIY RAV4 Personal Camper Conversion - http://sleepinginacar.com/my-diy-rav4-camper-conversion/

I stumbled on this RAV4 camper build and thought potential buyers might find it interesting

AWD Lock feature - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDQoe9f6JY&t=54s

A lot of people wonder how the 4WD "lock" button works with the RAV4s 4WD system, so when I found a video on the subject, I added this link

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Better Than New

About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

Profile picture for Gary Crenshaw

Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!