• 2.0-litre petrol around 150hp
• 2.2.-litre diesel spans 140-180hp range
• Early models all 4x4, later models more diverse

Toyota RAV4 XA30 petrol engines

Toyota offered UK buyers one petrol option, a 2.0-litre four cylinder. Between 2006 and 2009 the 1AZ series VVT-i engine was used, after 2009 the 3ZR ‘Valvematic’ engine replaced it offering better low-speed torque and a little more power. Early models are paired with a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic, and this is your only option for a pre-2009 automatic RAV4. It should be relatively cheap, though.

2009-on RAV4s with the Valvematic engine can be found without 4x4 as front-wheel drive ‘2WD’ models. The manual gearbox is upgraded to a six-speed which helps refinement, and the automatic model (AWD) switches to a CVT. Later petrol models will generally struggle to deliver 40mpg even on longer runs, while the early engine needs high revs to produce useful power and torque – 30mpg is more realistic.

You may find imports with a 3.5-litre V6 engine. This is unstressed and reliable, but very thirsty – a Lexus RX400h might be a better choice for British used 4x4 buyers.

RAV4 diesel models – T140, T150, T180

Unsurprisingly, it’s the diesel range that the UK buyers flocked to, and they’d remain an excellent buy if it weren’t for the spread of ULEZ and clean-air zones. They’re still a good choice for drivers who don’t need to visit cities often.

The standard T140 is good enough for most purposes. It’s simple and robust. If you want more power the T180 exists, but is harder to find and quite expensive to tax. Both of the early diesel options were paired with six-speed manual gearboxes, with a heavy clutch and as mentioned in the main guide, a tendency for oil leaks when neglected.

From 2009-onwards the T150 D-4D and D-CAT options replaced both earlier versions. The D-CAT offers an automatic for diesel RAV4 buyers – a six-speed auto that’s quite good, particularly when many rivals had rather unreliable setups. You can also find 2WD models of the T150 diesel, which offer the best economy but it’s hard to see why you would buy a RAV4 without 4x4 – there are better used SUVs if you want a front-wheel drive one.

Toyota RAV4 handling

• Hatchback-like handling
• 4x4 system provides confident grip
• Precise steering

From behind the wheel, this RAV4 feels very much like a normal hatchback, especially when compared to the previous generation RAV4. The body is well controlled in bends, impressively so for a 4x4, it corners well and the steering is precise, without being over-sensitive on the motorway.

The four-wheel-drive system, stability control and traction control work – via computer wizardry – as one, which was a first in this sector when the RAV4 was launched in 2006.

The result is that it makes it easier to stop in slippery conditions, or on broken surfaces and can help you keep control in a skid. The ride is very forgiving too which makes it a comfortable motorway cruiser.