2007 Toyota RAV4 consumer reviews

For this to be called a small SUV is a misconception. I had 2 Subaru Outbacks, which I really liked, very dependable. The problem with the Subaru's was the seats are too low to the floor, even the Forester's. I have bruised my tailbone once and fractured it 2x, not to mention some other medical problems, so I need a vehicle that doesn't put so much pressure on my lower back and is easy to get in and out of. I did test drive the Subaru Tribeca which was my second choice. Problem with that vehicle was it felt more cramped and the gas milage could not compare to the RAV4. I also tested the Honda CRV, small, cramped, no pep. I ended up purchasing the RAV4, 6 cylinder, 4wd on demand, Limited. It is so roomy that you feel as though you are in a large SUV. Even the rear seat has loads of leg room, not to mention the fact that you can adjust the seat up or back and each side reclines seperately (split rear seat with an armrest/cup holder in the middle). There is loads of cargo room, especially when you fold the rear seats flat. Also, you step on the gas and it really takes off, even with a full load, uphill, with the A/C running. I live in Pittsburgh and we have a lot of hills. Anyone who lives in an area like this will understand. The gas mileage for all this roominess and pep is amazing. I believe stability control is standard. I disagree with some who have complained about the brakes. I had an incident that really tested them. I was driving along the highway at about 70mph, light drizzle, a deer jumped out in front of us, I mean right in front of us, less than 20'. I hit the brakes hard (luckily no one was close behind me), my RAV4 just stopped, that quick. It didn't hesitate, skid or slide, even though the pavement was wet, IT JUST STOPPED. There are so many things I like about this vehicle. Now, there are a few things I think Toyota could fix. The seats could be a little softer, they are a bit hard. As a matter of fact, I think they should soften the ride overall. I'm not totally crazy about the way the rear door opens out to the side. I think they could make the interior a little more interesting, however, that's not really important to me. I bought this car because of Toyota's reliability and the fact that you are not compromising gas milage for roominess and so far I am happy with both.

I bought this car with 10500 miles,since then the noise under the dash in the steering had to be fixed,water pump had to be replaced at 35000 miles.to replace the water pump the engine had to be lowered.this took toyota 16 hrs at a cost to toyota $940.Now at 38500 mile the AC compressor is shot and the warranty is gone.Toyota is telling me it will cost $2700 to fix.with my complains they have ageeed to pay half....its all on record with a toyota dealer.

Very reliable car and gets great gas mileage. Acceleration is better than most cars...a rocket. Lots of interior room...like that the back seat slides forward for additional room without folding. Underfloor storage is great. The heated leather seats are nice in the Minnesota winters. Great traction on ice and snow. power sunroof is a nice feature during summer months. The one thing that I don't like is how the automatic transmission shifts. In parking lots at slow speeds the transmission likes to shift into "neutral" can't decide to downshift or upshift. The dealer says this is normal. I have never had this problem on any other vehicle. Also the gas pedal is hard to push at times and this leads to rapid launches from a stop.

Purchased a used 2007 2WD I4 model back in 08 and 25,000 miles later I'm still happy with my purchase. It does exactly what a compact SUV is supposed to do and that's ride like a car. Had only one problem with it so far and that was a rear wheel speed sensor that was causing my VSC and ABS to shut off. Unfortunately getting it replaced was a headache but that was due to the lousy customer service at the Toyota dealer I took it to. What I like: The 2WD with VSC are fine in the rain/snow/ice and you really don't even need 4WD on this vehicle if you know how to handle winter driving. The cargo room is more then spacious enough for it's size and I am still surprised at how much I can fit in the back with the seats down. The six speaker stereo system (4 speakers and 2 tweeters) surprised me, it has some kick and can handle high volumes. Top that off with the AUX jack for your MP3 player and I'm always rockin' out while cruising to work. While the I4 is not "fast" it's got enough pep to get you in and out of traffic. The telescopic steering wheel is a nice feature for me since I'm a little tall. Also, one of the most important factors for compact SUVs in my opinion, it rides like a car. What I don't like: Not really designed for tall people. I'm six feet tall and even with the seat back and the steering wheel pulled towards me, my knee touches the dash. There are some rattles that can get rather annoying. The door for the storage space above the glove box rattles while in reverse. There is also some slight vibration felt though the steering wheel while stopped and in drive. Tranny never slips but there have been a few times where I felt that it should have down shifted when I accelerated and it didn't. Brakes really solid but after a long drive you will experience some brake fade. I took it on a 6,000+ mile road trip this past summer and noticed that once it's fully loaded with people and stuff it can be hard to pass on the highway, but the V6 would solve that problem. Also, the location of the AUX jack is inside the center console for the 06 and 07 models. Besides that, nothing really major that you wouldn't experience on any other vehicle. My only regret is that I didn't wait a bit longer and find a V6 model, I hear they're little pocket rockets.

I have the V6 Limited which has great power and just the right options that I want. I like the fold down seats and hidden floor storage. I wish it had a warning system for when you leave the lights on. So far in two years have not had any problems.

I purchased a 4 cylinder front wheel drive Rav4 in spring of 07. I liked the way it looked, and it seemed practical and fuel efficient. However, I am greatly disappointed for several reasons. First of all, it does not get the fuel economy that it is supposed to. I average 17 miles per gallon. That is unacceptable. The second is that it just keeps breaking down. In the 33,000 miles I have owned this car, the fan belt has broke, the rear brakes malfunctioned, the stereo system completely stopped working, and the car remote doesn't work. Apart from that, the interior fit and finish is just miserable. I was optimistic about this vehicle, but it is just useless. I am trading it in sooner than I expected, and have narrowed my choices down to a Honda CR-V or a Saturn Vue Hybrid.

I have had my 6 cylinder RAV4 a year now and it has performed flawlessly. Averages 25mpg. Very minor complaint: the dashboard clock is in an out of the way location and you have to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to locate it.

This is my 4th Toyota after a Corona, Carolla Liftback, Camry DX, all driven for at least 100,000 miles. Then I bought the Rav4 basic model 4 cylinder. After 30 years of outstanding comfort and quality from Toyota I took it for granted. This purchase let me down. I can't afford the financial hit to trade it in or I would. Its as reliable as the other Toys I owned, so far, and I expect that will continue. I'm happy with the length in the interior too. Love the size, good milage, cute appearance. So why am I disappointed? Small things first; a rattle in the passenger door developed at 4000 miles and the radio is a bit crackly. It lurches forward precariously when I barely touch the gas peddle and the mechanic at Toyota said "everyone complains about that, but it goes away after the computerized gas control adjusts." Its still there at 8500 miles. Honestly, it feels like the brakes are sticking. Rav4 has a VERY bumpy ride. My head bounces off the headrest in normal road conditions and I feel EVERY little flaw in the road. The headrest leans so far forward that I get a crick in my neck. Steering wheel / armrest / seat adjustment ergonomics are terrible. I've tried six ways to Sunday to get a comfortable combination but no dice. There's no way to adjust the seat and steering wheel so my elbows comfortably rest on the armrests because the steering wheel doesn't adjust down or out as far as my other Toyotas. The steering wheel is also smaller and my elbows don't reach the armrest. My hands grip the wheel at an awkward angle so my arms are uncomfortable and tense while driving which causes back pain - lots of it. In addition to the cricked neck! I have to drive with hands at the bottom of the wheel facing downward, thumbs together under the steering wheel and my elbows resting at my sides to avoid pain. This is not the safest place to handle the steering wheel for defensive driving. What was Toyota thinking??? I was one of those people who spread the word about Toyota reliability in the 70's when most Americans called them "sewing machines", so for me to dislike a Toyota this much makes me wonder about their dedication to customer satisfaction now that they're #1 in the world.

I purchased my 2007 Rav 4 Sport (Special Edition) in August of '06. My previous car was a '93 Mercury Cougar, which was very low to the ground, so needless to say it was a pleasure getting behind the wheel of my Rav. I had a grin from ear to ear the first week or so, while driving it. Someone had special ordered it and changed their mind, so I benefited. It has heated leather seats, 6 disc cd changer, and a tilt and slide sunroof. The seats are very comfortable and it handles like a dream. I love my Rav! However, I don't know if it's just me or if anyone else is having the same problems. I had my Rav for about a year when the radio wouldn't work and had to be replaced, then the glove box wouldn't close because the cover for the cabin filter fell off behind it. As if that wasn't enough, the other day I got in my car to go to the store and I had a huge puddle on the passenger floor, as I drove I saw it was leaking from under the dash. I took it to my dealer and they told me that they knew exactly what to do because another Rav was there with the same problem. They said it could have been caused by the heavy rain, but this isn't the first time it's rained heavy since I got the Rav. The water ruined my mat and it soaked thru the carpet, now my car has an odor. I contacted Toyota and told them about my problems, and they had my dealership order new mats and carpeting to install. I did get a great warranty 2 yrs, bumper to bumper, that finishes this Nov. But my biggest concern is what's going to happen next! I would recommend this car because it really is reliable and handles great. The problems I'm having don't change how I feel about my car.

A practical SUV. Once inside it is surprisingly roomy, personal, and comfortable. It drives solid and agile -- belies its bulky look. It makes driving FUN. Got this SUV 1.5 years ago and still love it like it's brand new. The only ISSUE is gas mileage averages 24 mpg -- its just the nature of the SUV beast city driving. As for exterior styling -- it looks bulky and clunky from the back. However thanks to the rear mounted spare tire with the flexible hard shell cover avoided major damage to my rear bumper.-- someone reversed into my parked RAV -- hit the spare. Big dent to her Accord, minor scratch to tire cover -- did not want the insurance company pulling the rear door apart looking for damage, so let it go. Viva the RAV!