2012 Toyota RAV4 EV Review
Price Estimate: $5,683 - $8,737





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Above-average driving range for an EV
- large cargo capacity
- quick acceleration
- secure handling.
Cons
- Doesn't come cheap
- available only in California
- lacks regular RAV4's third-row seat option.
What’s new
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV is a new electric version of Toyota's venerable crossover SUV.
Edmunds says
Compared with other electric vehicles, the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV is an impressive all-around package. Compared with conventional gasoline-fueled crossover SUVs, though, its high price and limited cruising range are still tough sells.
For sale nearby
6 listings
- 49,198 miles
- Issue reported, 2 owners, personal use only
- 19 Auto Group (1,136 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
Get ready to cruise in style and comfort with this sleek Silver 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV! This dynamic vehicle offers top-notch performance and safety feat...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 2T3YL4DV3CW001182
Stock: 1182T
Certified Pre-Owned: No- 54,018 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- Cars Direct USA (1,140 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Las Vegas, NV
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 2T3YL4DV3CW001084
Stock: 001084
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Vehicle overview
The first thing we'll tell you about the all-electric 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV is how many units Toyota plans to produce. The official number is 2,600, and that's only for the next three years combined, not just 2012.
The next thing we'll tell you is where the RAV4 EV will be sold. Ready for this one? California. That's it. So for all you EV fans in the other 49 states, well, tough tootin'. The electrified RAV4 won't be coming to your neck of the woods.
But here's the good news: If you're a Californian and your heart's set on buying an electric vehicle, consider the RAV4 EV because it has a lot going for it. Don't believe us? Fine, name another EV that can haul 73 cubic feet of your junk, cover an EPA-estimated 103 miles between charges, and zip from zero to 60 mph in about 7 seconds. The 2012 Tesla Model S has the latter two bases covered and then some, but its cargo capacity tops out at 58.1 cubic feet, and fully loaded Teslas go for more than double the RAV4 EV's retail price. As for other EVs, there's really nothing else that compares.
Of course, the RAV4 EV's $50,000-ish as-new price tag is still pretty hefty, even if government incentives and tax breaks make the real price more like $40,000. But let's face it: EVs in general are an expensive breed, and most models aren't nearly as well-rounded as this one. If you're among the lucky few EV enthusiasts in a position to buy a 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV, you'll be rewarded with one of the best electric vehicles we've driven to date.
Performance & mpg
The RAV4 EV is powered by a 115-kW electric motor that produces the equivalent of 154 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque in Sport mode. Normal mode trims torque down to 218 lb-ft. A single-speed transmission sends all that force to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available.
In Edmunds track testing, the RAV4 EV sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a fleet 7.2 seconds. That was in Sport mode, however; in Normal mode, times are in the neighborhood of 8.6 seconds.
The electric motor gets its energy from a 41.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack located underneath the floor. According to the EPA, a single charge from this pack is good for an estimated 103 miles of driving, longer than any other EV except the Tesla Model S. The RAV4 EV needs about 6 hours for a full charge on the recommended 240-volt current.
There's another metric the EPA uses to grade electric vehicles, and that's kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy consumed per 100 miles. The RAV4 checks in at 44 kWh per 100 miles driven (remember that the lower the number here, the better). Translated, that's 78 mpg city/74 mpg highway and 76 mpg combined in miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe). That's not great by EV standards, as other EVs like the Nissan Leaf are more energy-efficient.
Safety
Standard safety features for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV include dual front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. The RAV4 EV also comes with antilock disc brakes; stability control; a rearview camera; and "Safety Connect," a suite of Toyota safety services comprising emergency and roadside assistance, stolen-vehicle tracking, and automatic collision notification.
In Edmunds brake testing, the RAV4 EV stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet, a respectable distance considering the EV's extra weight and efficiency-biased tires.
Driving
Most electric cars are, well, cars, but the high-riding 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV crossover drives better than almost all of them. Partly, that's due to the low-mounted battery pack, which shifts the RAV4's default center of gravity downward, thus improving handling without compromising the compliant ride. Another piece is the regenerative braking system, which is notably less intrusive than expected, even when set to the stronger of the two driver-selectable modes. But above all, the RAV4 EV is distinguished by its eager power delivery, especially in Sport. It's like punching the throttle in an electric golf cart (instant, seamless torque), except you're accelerating so quickly that even the mighty V6-powered RAV4 would be hard-pressed to keep up. We didn't expect to be moved by the RAV4 EV, but shoot, this thing's pretty fun.
Interior
The RAV4 EV's basic dashboard architecture is straight out of 2006, which is when the RAV4 was last redesigned. However, there's plenty in here to make you feel as if you're driving something special. The shift lever, for example, is a stubby little joystick between the seats, and it sports the distinctive deep blue trim that Toyota reserves for its "green" (go figure) vehicles. The instrument cluster, designed expressly for the RAV4 EV, provides a dizzying array of information displays and electronic driving aids. And then there's the 8-inch touchscreen, another EV-only special that offers iPad-like scrolling functionality and even split-screen viewing for when you need to multitask. Remember, the RAV4 EV was a joint project with Tesla, and there's a good bit of Tesla's trademark cool in this Toyota's cabin.
Seat comfort is adequate in front, and crossover fans will appreciate the elevated riding position. In back, there's enough room for a couple of adults or three in a pinch, but keep in mind that the RAV4 EV lacks the regular RAV4's available third-row seat.
In terms of cargo capacity, since the battery pack is mounted low and out of the way, the RAV4 EV gives you essentially the same versatility as a regular RAV4. That means a healthy 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row, and a downright cavernous 73 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded forward. If you need to haul stuff with your EV, the RAV4 is in a class of one, although its maximum allowable payload (880 pounds) is lower than the gasoline RAV4's (around 1,000 pounds, depending on the drivetrain configuration).
2012 Toyota RAV4 EV models
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV is a five-passenger crossover SUV offered in a single well-equipped trim level.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting accents, a unique grille, aerodynamic mirror housings, an elongated rear spoiler, keyless entry/ignition, exclusive cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks, cruise control, full power accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control and an EV-specific instrument cluster with a 3.5-inch information display.
Also standard is Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera, an 8-inch touchscreen display, a navigation system, Toyota's Entune smartphone app integration and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB interface. EV-specific smartphone functionality, including charge status monitoring and charge schedule setting, is also included.

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Compare 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2012 Toyota RAV4 EV Insights
Trim:
RAV4 EV Base
Estimated Range Based on Age
Not available
Charging
No charging time information available
Hybrid Parts Warranty
8 yrs or 100,000 miles
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
Exceeded original 8 year warranty.
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
$4,500
Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.
- Restrictions:
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer. Not every version of the vehicle models will necessarily qualify. Please check with the dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific vehicle.
For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
- Restrictions:
Otter Tail Power Co offers EV owners a rebate of up to $500 towards the installation and cost of a Level 2 charging station.
To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements:
- Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power Co.
- Have purchased or leased an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
To learn more, visit https://www.otpco.com/ways-to-save/programs/electric-vehicle-rate/
Cost to Drive
$101/mo
RAV4 EV
vs
$180/mo
SUV Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
Am I Ready for an EV?
- EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work
- If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station
- Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more
2012 RAV4 EV Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $49,800 |
---|---|
EV Tax Credits & Rebates | $4,500 |
Engine Type | Electric |
Cost to Drive | $101/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 36.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the RAV4 EV include:
- Back-up camera
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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