A 2015 Toyota RAV4 LE costs roughly $24,500 at base price with the $885 destination fee. The Limited model, which starts with AWD and is at the top of the pricing range, can include option packages that cost more than $31,000.
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What is the maximum mileage for a 2015 Toyota RAV4?
A properly maintained Toyota RAV4 may go up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, according to most experts. Once you pass that point, it’s feasible and perhaps probable that more frequent maintenance or care will be required to keep things in working order. This may entail placing new part orders and requesting more fluid flushes. Even so, the RAV4 is a worthwhile purchase given that the average individual uses their vehicle for upwards of 25 years or more and drives about 10,000 miles every year.
How can you make your Toyota RAV4 last longer?
The actual mileage will always depend on numerous factors. The secret to getting the RAV4or any vehicle, for that matterto attain those high figures is proper maintenance. Keep all of your regular maintenance appointments, including oil changes, tire rotations, wheel alignments, and transmission flushes. Additionally, be sure to clean it often, maintain the interior and exterior in excellent condition, and be careful to prevent rust as the vehicle ages. Any car can suffer a lot of damage from rust. For all cleaning, maintenance, and other care, meticulously adhere to the instructions and timetables in your owner’s manual.
What year used Toyota RAV4 is the best to purchase?
For every kind of buyer, Toyota offers a variety of RAV4 trims. There are many options, whether you want something affordable, luxurious, or simply fun in the great outdoors. The 2021 RAV4 is available in 11 distinct trim levels, according to the Toyota website, ranging from the entry-level LE to the opulent Limited model and everything in between to take you from luxury to adventure. Need some off-roading excitement? There is even a TRD Off Road option, so no worries. Therefore, even though the RAV4 is the manufacturer’s smallest SUV, the possibilities are by no means limited.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen are just a few of the many technologies that come as standard on the RAV4. Lane keep assist, lane departure, and tracing assist are among the standard safety systems that keep the car centered in its lane even on curving roadways. Forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, and pedestrian recognition are also incorporated. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard on the RAV4. All-wheel drive is optional on the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited variants but standard on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models. Front-wheel drive is the default. The RAV4 front-end design is tough and fashionable, drawing inspiration from other legendary Toyota models like the Tacoma and 4Runner. Although it is a crossover, it has the appearance of a smaller SUV and has a smoother ride than either the Tacoma or 4Runner. It is a well-rounded crossover with a spacious cabin that is constructed of premium materials. Although it uses little fuel, it may nevertheless provide power. The starting MSRPs for the various RAV4 trims are listed below.
- LE $26,050 LE Hybrid: $28,000
- XLE $27,345 $29,795 XLE Hybrid
- $30,050 for XLE Premium $32,500 XLE Premium Hybrid
- Limited Hybrid $37,030 Limited $34,580
- escapade $33, 155
- $35,780 TRD Off-Road
- $34,450 for an XSE Hybrid
Raving Reliability
The RAV4 has received glowing dependability reviews, which is to be expected given Toyota’s reputation for making dependable cars and SUVs. The Toyota RAV4 is ranked third best out of 26 compact SUVs by RepairPal, receiving a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The RAV4 is one of the most dependable cars on the road and has excellent ownership costs when compared to other small SUVs and cars in general since repairs are less severe and less frequent.
The RAV4’s reliability ratings are comparable to those of RepairPal on other reliability indices. The reliability rating for the RAV4 during the past ten years, according to Consumer Reports statistics, was an amazing 4.5 out of 5, and a 4.1 when we summed its ratings across the previous 20 years! Therefore, the RAV4 maintains the renowned Toyota reliability.
Compared to other compact SUVs, which have an average yearly repair cost of $521, this model’s is $429. The likelihood of visiting a repair shop is also modest and comparable to its peers. Owners of Toyota RAV4s need to take their cars in for unplanned repairs an average of.3 times year, as opposed to an average of.4 for owners of all other vehicle types. You’ll be relieved to learn that the likelihood of a severe repair is only 10%, so it’s not a matter of immediate concern. Typical for SUVs in its class is 11%.
Maintenance Costs
If you buy a brand-new RAV4, general maintenance ought to be free for the first two years or 25,000 miles. The ToyotaCar plan, which covers all regularly scheduled maintenance and includes fluid level checks and adjustments, tire rotation, engine oil and filter replacements, and multi-point inspections, is included with every new Toyota. After the first two years, the majority of maintenance will cost between $100 and $200 on average, but for larger mileage-specific service checks, you should budget between $300 and $400.
Top 5 RAV4 Problems
Although the RAV4 is a fantastic small SUV and has a solid reputation for dependability, some model years have caused problems for owners. The most typical issues reported to RepairPal are listed below, along with an estimate of the typical repair cost.
EVAP Vapor Canister with a defect
The main fault code for this failure and an electrical failure is P0441, P0442, or P0446, and it has been noted that the vapor canister can leak charcoal pellets that block or clog the vent valve. A proper repair entails replacing the entire canister along with each valve individually. Unfortunately, due to its location on top of the fuel tank, this repair can be quite costly. 1996 to 2016 model years are affected, and an owner-reported cost of $1,000 to $1,500. 106,403 miles on average.
Catalytic Converter Failure in Error
The Check Engine Light would illuminate, according to owners, indicating a damaged catalytic converter. It turned out that the problem was a software one, and Toyota fixed it by updating the software to remove the bogus “poor catalytic converter notice.” Second- and third-generation model years 1996 and 20012007 were impacted by this. 149,044 miles on average. The cost to troubleshoot the Check Engine Light typically ranges from $88 to $111.
Oxygen Sensor Failure When one or more oxygen sensors malfunction, the Check Engine light illuminates, which can lead to decreased fuel efficiency, rough idling, or a hesitant engine that may skip or misfire. A “rotten egg” smell or black smoke emanating from the exhaust are other indications. Affected model years include 1998, 2001, 2003, 20062012, and 2014, with a 247,047mile average. The RAV4 oxygen sensor replacement typically costs between $275 and $297.
Issues with Transmission Shifting
If the throttle position sensor is misaligned or a shift solenoid has to be replaced, the automatic transmission may not shift correctly at increasing mileage. Ten model years, with an average mileage of 133,569 miles, were specifically impacted by this shifting problem: 1996, 1997, 2000-2008.
An excessive reliance on oil
Between oil changes, drivers noted an excessive amount of oil usage. Many times, there was a significant loss of oil, which activated the engine oil warning light. This issue has been persistently reported for a few model years, particularly those in the third generation, however it typically arises when the vehicles’ oil is not changed frequently. Owners of RAV4s reported that the engine would burn up a lot of oil, requiring them to replenish additional oil more frequently than once per month. Oil sludge should be removed from the engine, but if the high oil use persists, new piston rings might be needed. Five model years, with an average mileage of 121,285, were impacted: 20042008.
What is the Best Year for the Toyota RAV4?
Since the RAV4 has proven to be a dependable small SUV, as we have previously stated, choosing the “best” was difficult given the near-perfect reliability of the fourth generation model years. The 2016 model year Toyota RAV4 is the “greatest Toyota RAV4 and deserving of your hard-earned money, according to our analysis of the facts. This is why:
Consumer Reports gave the 2016 Toyota RAV4 a flawless reliability rating, and J. D. Power put it to the test, literally, and it won, narrowly outperforming the 2017 and 2018 models. Therefore, even though we believe the 2016 is the best RAV4, you really can’t go wrong with the newer models from 2017 or 2018.
According to the J.D. Power 100-Point Score, which is based on thousands of honest reviews from verified owners, the 2016 received an overall score of 86. In the J.D. Power Top 10 Rated SUV list, which compared comparable compact SUVs, it came in first place overall, outperforming well-known brands like Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Chevy and Ford.
It received an 86 for quality and dependability, with a “excellent” rating for the driving experience and a “best score” of 91 for its resale value. The J.D. Power Performance Award went to the 2016 Toyota RAV4 for its performance and design after the first 90 days of ownership. The 2016 model year had more complaints than the 2018 model year, but it is also two years older, and the cruise control feature was the subject of the majority of those complaints.
Toyota RAV4 Years to Avoid?
Even though the Toyota RAV4 is often highly dependable, there are a few years you might want to avoid or have extensively examined before buying if you look at the model’s history. In fact, we advise you to get any previously owned vehicle inspected before purchasing it. This material is intended to arm you with the knowledge you need to make an informed purchase, not to deter you from purchasing a Toyota RAV4. If you can ensure that the problem is resolved or use it as a negotiating point, you may be able to buy with confidence and save some money over another model year. Sometimes you may get a great price on a specific year of the RAV4 because they may be a little more difficult to sell.
While older RAV4s are still available, it is more probable that buyers seeking for a secondhand one will be looking for one less than 10 years old, so we will start with the most recent model and work our way back.
5th Generation (as of 2019 and beyond)
Even though Toyota is famed for its dependability, you wouldn’t expect a relatively new model to be on our “avoid list,” but the 2019 has several faults you should be aware of and take care of. The 2019 model has not only received the lowest reliability rating from Consumer Reports over the past 20 years (2 out of 5), but it has also had quite a few complaints. Additionally, the stated issues are not merely cosmetic; they also have an impact on the engine and gearbox parts. Owners of the 2019 RAV4 have complained about loud acceleration, gear slippage, hesitating or lurching forward at slower speeds, and a malfunctioning gas gauge that, according to some owners, incorrectly reads the amount of gas in the tank. As a result, you’re never sure how much gas is actually in the tank. The tank never seems to read more than three quarters full, according to one owner. We recommend the 2018 RAV4 if you want a more recent model.
Generation Four (20132018)
Although the 4th generation of the RAV4 delivered some excellent models overall, we advise staying away from the 2013 model year for the sake of this exercise. Even though it received a reliability rating of 5, that year saw the highest complaints, with the worst complaint being a serious safety concern. Owners reported that when they applied the brakes, their RAV4 would rapidly accelerate. Owners reported collisions that led to the air bags deploying and, in some cases, total loss of the car. 2013 is not a good bet just for this reason.
Consider other model years from the fourth generation, such as model years 2017, 2016, or even 2012, if you have your heart set on an older RAV4.
Every year, there were many complaints about the model years 2006 through 2008, and the difficulties they mentioned included severe steering and exhaust issues, as well as engine and transmission problems. Although there were less complaints for the 2008 than for the 2007 model year, the 2008 model year was plagued by transmission and engine problems. These repairs usually cost more money and happened at lesser mileage. The top three grievances owners with the 2008, listed below
#1 Excessive oil consumption, which costs on average $3,300 to correct, #2 No air bags deployed, which costs on average $3,000 to fix, and #3 Transmission Jerking, which costs on average $900 to fix
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