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Toyota
RAV4
XA40·
2013-2018
suv-soft
Value
Price (AUD)
$15k-$32k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (2WD), On-demand AWD (Dynamic Torque Control, electronic locking centre coupling)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
Australia's best-selling medium SUV of its era, sold as GX, GXL and Cruiser. The XA40 dropped the old side-hinged tailgate and full-size rear spare for a conventional top-hinged tailgate and a more car-like, family-friendly soft-roader. The volume seller is the 2.0L 3ZR-FAE petrol with a CVT in front-drive GX guise; AWD petrols paired a 2.5L 2AR-FE with a conventional 6-speed automatic. A 2.2L 2AD-FHV turbo diesel was offered in limited numbers (mostly AWD GXL) and is rare on the used market - a strong long-distance tourer but the one to inspect most carefully, as the 2AD family is known for oil consumption, head-gasket and DPF/5th-injector issues. The 2016 facelift brought new front styling, LED lamps and a colour TFT info display. Across the board these are genuinely reliable, cheap-to-run family SUVs; the petrols are the safe used buy, the diesel is for buyers who do the homework. Note several AU recalls (battery hold-down/fire risk, fuel return hose, fuel injector torque) - confirm they've been completed.
Engines & variants
2.0L 3ZR-FAE petrol
Engine
2.0L Valvematic DOHC VVT-i petrol I4
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
1987cc
Power
111kW @ 6200rpm
Torque
195Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (2WD); on-demand AWD on some grades
Economy
7.0-9.5 L/100km combined (real world)
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
CVT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Cheap, simple, well-supported volume engine
- Chain-driven timing - no belt to change
- Good economy for the class with the CVT
- Front-drive GX is the cheapest and most plentiful used buy
Cons
- Modest power - feels flat fully loaded or up hills
- CVT can feel droney and hesitant off the line
- Valvematic and direct/port fuelling can build intake carbon over time
- Only 1500kg braked tow
Known problems
medium
CVT hesitation / shudder and long-term wear
Owners report off-the-line hesitation, a rubber-band feel and occasional shudder. Toyota's CVT is generally durable if serviced, but neglected fluid, heavy towing or stop-start city use accelerates wear and can lead to expensive failure.
Fix: Change CVT fluid on a sensible interval (around 60,000-80,000km despite 'lifetime' marketing); avoid overloading/towing near the limit; a software update addressed some early shift behaviour.
low
Infotainment / touchscreen faults
Frozen or unresponsive touchscreen, random reboots, Bluetooth dropouts and poor factory sat-nav are common complaints on these head units.
Fix: Software update or head-unit replacement; many owners fit an aftermarket Android/CarPlay unit.
low
Intake/valve carbon and oil-consumption creep
Higher-km Valvematic fours can develop intake carbon and a gradual rise in oil consumption.
Fix: Quality oil and regular changes; intake clean if driveability/economy suffers; monitor oil level between services.
2.5L 2AR-FE petrol
Engine
2.5L DOHC Dual VVT-i petrol I4
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
2494cc
Power
132kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
233Nm @ 4100rpm
Drivetrain
On-demand AWD (Dynamic Torque Control)
Economy
8.5-11 L/100km combined (real world)
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Conventional 6-speed torque-converter auto - smoother and more trusted than the CVT
- Noticeably stronger than the 2.0, better for highway and loaded driving
- Proven, long-lived 2AR engine shared with Camry/Kluger
- AWD adds wet/dirt-road security
Cons
- Thirstier than the 2.0
- Still only 1500kg braked tow
- 2AR family can develop oil consumption at higher km
- AWD coupling and extra driveline add maintenance items
Known problems
medium
Oil consumption at higher km
The 2AR-FE, like its Camry/Kluger siblings, can develop raised oil consumption with age, usually via piston-ring/oil-control wear.
Fix: Check oil regularly; if severe, ring/piston work is the cure. Favour examples with full service history and no smoke on start-up.
low
Water pump / accessory leaks
Water pump weeps and minor coolant/oil ancillary leaks appear with age on these fours.
Fix: Replace water pump and seals as part of routine maintenance.
low
Brake wear (front pads/rotors)
Some owners report front pads wearing quickly; a moderately heavy AWD wagon in city use chews front brakes.
Fix: Quality pads/rotors; not a fault, just a consumable.
2.2L 2AD-FHV turbo diesel
Engine
2.2L D-4D common-rail turbo diesel I4 (with DPF)
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2231cc
Power
110kW @ 3600rpm
Torque
340Nm @ 2000-2800rpm
Drivetrain
On-demand AWD (Dynamic Torque Control)
Economy
6.0-7.5 L/100km combined (real world)
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Excellent torque and economy for long-distance touring
- Relaxed, frugal highway cruiser
- Rare and distinctive in the AU used market
- AWD as standard
Cons
- 2AD diesel family has a documented head-gasket / oil-consumption reputation
- DPF and post-injection (5th injector) maintenance can be costly
- Dislikes short urban-only trips (incomplete DPF regen)
- Withdrawn early in Australia - scarce, with limited specialist familiarity
- Only 1500kg braked tow despite diesel torque
Known problems
high
Head gasket failure / carbon-related overheating
The 2AD diesel is well known for head-gasket failure, often linked to carbon build-up on the pistons/head and cooling stress, leading to overheating, coolant loss and white smoke.
Fix: Head gasket (and head skim/inspection) by a diesel specialist; keep the cooling system fresh and address oil consumption early. Inspect compression and coolant condition pre-purchase.
high
Excessive oil consumption
Worn piston rings and valve-stem seals cause high oil consumption on the 2AD - a frequently reported issue on Australian owner forums, sometimes precursor to head-gasket trouble.
Fix: Monitor and top up; if heavy, ring/seal/engine work is needed. Strongly favour an example with documented low oil use and full history.
medium
DPF clogging and 5th-injector faults
The post-injection 5th injector that triggers DPF regen can foul or its seal washers burn out, causing soot build-up, failed regens, a clogged DPF and limp mode - especially with short urban-only running.
Fix: Regular highway runs to complete regens; clean/replace the 5th injector and seals; DPF clean or replacement if blocked. Confirm DPF health pre-purchase.
medium
EGR and intake soot build-up
Soot accumulation in the EGR and intake restricts and unevenly distributes airflow, hurting performance and economy.
Fix: EGR and intake clean as part of preventive diesel maintenance.
Common problems (all variants)
high
Battery hold-down / electrical fire-risk recall
A recall covered 2013-2018 RAV4s where the battery could shift out of its tray and contact the hold-down clamp, risking a short circuit and fire.
Fix: Confirm the recall (battery hold-down/clamp rectification) has been completed via VIN check before purchase.
medium
Fuel low-pressure return hose leak (2015-2017 build)
Certain units built between Oct 2015 and Apr 2017 could suffer a fuel leak from the low-pressure return hose.
Fix: Dealer inspection and hose replacement under recall; verify completion by VIN.
medium
Fuel injector torque (2015-2017 build)
Some examples built Oct 2015 to Dec 2017 may have had fuel injectors that were not tightened correctly, a potential fuel-leak/fire risk.
Fix: Dealer inspection/retorque under recall; confirm completion by VIN.
low
Suspension harshness / ride complaints
Owners commonly describe the ride as firm and bumpy on rougher surfaces; not a fault but a frequent dissatisfaction.
Fix: Correct tyre pressures and quality tyres help; some fit more compliant aftermarket dampers.
low
Headlight performance
Halogen-equipped grades draw consistent criticism for weak night-time/regional lighting.
Fix: Quality bulbs or LED upgrade where legal; later facelift LED grades are better.
low
Coastal / surface rust and paint chips
Thin paint is prone to stone chips, and coastal cars can show surface rust over time.
Fix: Inspect tailgate, wheel arches and underbody; touch up chips; favour dry-climate examples.