2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 Review: Should You Buy It?

This generation launched in 2013: V6 dropped, more modern platform, six-speed automatic standard. Mid-cycle updates landed in 2016, so later cars in the span pick up interior and tech revisions. Powertrain and core hardware carry over across the span, which is exactly why we cover the whole generation on one page instead of splitting near-identical years apart.

Across 2013–2018, reliability tracks the generation as a whole rather than any one model year. Early-build cars (2013–2014) carry the usual first-run risk, and late-run cars have had years of TSB and running fixes applied. The issues that actually decide whether a car is worth buying: Cooling-system leaks on higher-mileage examples; Entune bugs on early cars.

• ✓Cooling-system leaks on higher-mileage examples
• ✓Entune bugs on early cars

Expect RAV4 maintenance costs typical of the XA40 generation. Engines: 2.5L 2AR-FE I4 / 2.5L hybrid (2016+). Transmissions: 6-speed automatic / eCVT (hybrid). Budget for the usual service intervals (oil, brakes, cooling, transmission fluid) plus preventative work on the known-weak items above. Parts for a 2018 Toyota RAV4 are cheap and widely available.

Within 2013–2018, condition and maintenance history beat model year almost every time. Later cars in the span are typically the most sorted; earlier cars are the cheapest way into the generation. If a 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 passes a pre-purchase inspection with the known weak points checked, it's a defensible used buy. Strengths in this generation: Roomy cargo area, Excellent hybrid MPG, Cheap to insure.

Best for: Buyers cross-shopping the whole XA40 generation of the Toyota RAV4 rather than one specific model year.

The 2006–2012 generation is cheaper and simpler, with an older tech and safety package. The 2019–2025 generation brings newer powertrains and driver assistance at a higher price.