Used 2002 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews
The best option....
I purchased my RAV4 in August of '02 and I have had a great experience. I have friends that have large gas guzzler SUV's that think my RAV is too small. That is not the case. It has hauled everything from a 36" TV to all of our gear for a weekend of camping while getting 25 - 30 mpg. It is best balance of economy, cargo hauling capability and comfort.
It's Ravulous!
I love my Rav4. It's got plenty of room and great gas mileage. Since mine has a manual transmission it seems to have that extra pick up and it responds well. I still think it's a cool car to look at. It has some inexplicible dings and a little problem with the tire cover wearing out at the seams, and problems with the computer chips caused me to go back to the dealership a few times, but I still love my car.
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,500756 mi away
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,990976 mi away
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,4941,122 mi away
Best vehicle I've ever owned! BAR NONE!
Never bought anything but American before, but after owning my Rav4, I'm hooked! I've loved my Rav4 for 3.5 yrs, and I'm shopping for another one! It went thru snow, held its traction in heavy rain. It's never failed to get good gas mileage. Never failed to start. In the Toyota maintenence dept ONLY for oil changes and scheduled maint.. And talk about holding it's value... this is the 1st time I have had a vehicle that is worth MORE than what I owe on it!
I Love My RAV4
I have liked my RAV4 since the day I bought it. It is a fun car to drive and is very reliable. I have under 25,000 miles on my RAV4 so I will have it for many years to come. I bought my RAV4 on-line and it was a very easy process. I was able to find the exact RAV4 I wanted, in the exact color I wanted. Buy one you'll like it.
I love my Rav4 not ever getting rid of i
I have 2 cars, but this is the one I use to go on long trips, out of state etc. You can't beat it for bringing kids and a dog, ice chest and suit cases, not to mention I can get from Nashville,TN. to New Orleans, LA. on 1 tank of gas!! Of course I take good care of my Rav, I get all the oil changes and 60 point inspections etc. You can not beat this car for comfort and economy.
My Rav
This is one of the best cars that I have ever had, It is small easy to handle and roomy enough for long legs.
Okay I guess
As far as exterior design, nothing beats it--it's a cute car. But the power just wasn't there. My mom drives a 4-cylinder Ford sedan that seems to have far better power. It was really sluggish up hills. And the fuel economy really wasn't there either, surprisingly. It was reliable in terms of service though. I only recently had an engine light come on, and then a report came out that said it might just be a glitch. I traded it before I found out. For me the worst feature was interior noise. It didn't seem insulated or something-- just wasn't really smooth in that respect. Overall just really a so-so experience for me. I doubt I'll even buy a Toyota again.
Impressed with little SUV
I purchased this RAV 4 used with 12000 miles on it. I was looking for something a little larger but with gas prices at $2.00 a gallon, my wallet was my guide. I have been very impressed with this vehicle. It is very responsive (5 speed manual) and has excellent handling. While it is not suited for rugged 4 wheel drive terrain like my truck, it handles rough roads well and climbs well for not having a low range transfer case. As far as the daily commute, I am averaging 26.5 mpg. Other than an occasional dash rattle, I am very happy with the RAV 4.
Best car I ever drove!
Over the years I had a Toyota Cressida 1982, then Mercury Cougar 1992, then Chevy Caprice 1994, Pontiac Grand Am 1999, then my 2002 Rav4. I never drove a car as reliable as this one! It Never failed me. It is smooth and fun to drive and when we had the 30 inch snow storm up here in Montreal. It was a pro. I dont think that I would ever buy anything but Toyota (maybe Lexus if I could afford it)... nothing less.
so far, so good
Great car. The only complaint I have is that the roof rack is making some noise as I drive. The fold down/take out seats have been great--I can fit a lot into this little car.
Who need a Huge SUV?
This has been a great purchase. There is plenty of room inside. Shortly after purchasing the car, I loaded up my wife, two kids, a cocker spaniel, a llasa apso and a rabbit and set off on a 750 mile trip for Christmas at Grandma's. The RAV4 handled the roof top carrier much better than the Olds Bravada I had had before. I never felt as though the RAV4 was unstable. Even loaded down I managed 27 mpg.
Great Fun and Works for my Business
Bought the RAV4 as a work vehicle and it has performed outstanding. Gets the attention I like and the work done. Everyone in the office loves it. The roof rack rattles a bit and the brakes squeal sometimes when stopping ( they are not worn either). Other than that no problems and the ones listed are minor and intermittent.
fun
nice cheap cool
Great around-town car!
I've had my all wheel drive RAV4 for one year now. Only problem I had was a check engine light came on once, took it in to the dealership and it was corrected (nothing serious). It is a great car for errands, city driving and shorter trips. I've taken it on one long trip and wished it had an 8-way power adjustable seat with more support, and more insulation against road noise. No complaints about interior rattles except for the lock on the glove box, sometimes buzzes.
Gas Hog
For a 4 cylinder AWD and as light as this vehicle is it stinks on gas mileage. We get 17 miles/gal around town. Ugh. The CRV we had got 24 around town and it was a 6 cylinder AWD It doesn't hold it's value. We leased it, we have 5,500 mile son it and to buy out the lease is still $23,000...more than a brand new one. Don't buy one.
Unsurpassed Quality
Well optioned 4x4, L package, power door locks/windows/moonroof. Looks very sporty, recieved several compliments. I bought it for the wife, I wasn't fond of cute-utes. Fell in love with it after first 100 miles. Unbelievably stable, even in 35 mile cross winds.
YOu Love it Or you hate it.
I have nothing to say about this car ...power is adequate and handling is great....But options are very expensive. Good SUV
Forever Baby
I planned on keeping it forever but I got rear ended. The computer was annoying as it caused the check engine light to be on. The car ran well and was serviced regularly to the time of 245,000 miles. I was shooting for 400,000.
Reliability at it's BEST
Bought my 2002 Rav4 used with 160,000 km. 5 speed with on-demand AWD. First winter, every car in front of me, spinning off the start and through the intersection at a 4 way stop. My little guy, just accelerated smoothly and up the hill, with no wheel spin discernable. So far have added another 140,000 km to it, now sitting at 300,000 km. Spent a whopping $2800 in repairs over the last 9 years (new rotors and an ignition module). Driver side electric doorlock has failed.....oh well grew up with only keys to lock doors no biggies. Use it mainly on paved roads, but in summers, with my kayaks loaded on top, I hit lakes with gravel road access only. Don't need 4X4 but the roads are full of potholes and washboard. 22 years old and NOW I start using it on rough roads....my poor baby. A few rattles and clunks but that's to be expected at its age. It has never left me down, is still peppy and on the highways drives like a dream. Slight bit of oil burning, (1 L every 2000km) and a small drip at the differential (not worth taking apart to fix) Averaging 11L/100 km with mostly city driving....and 9L/100km when I do mostly highway. My Rav4 has served me faithfully on a shoestring budge, Best purchase I have ever made. Expecting to put on another 100k at least.....should make it to 400,000km, worry free.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I love my Rav 4!!
I just bought this car and I love it. It is so much fun to drive. I got the all black one and it's so sleek to look at. It looks like a smaller BMW suv. I love all the options I have on mine and I love the reliability of everything.
A Year in Review ...
RAV4 is fun to drive. Like it alot but am disappointed with persistent rattle in sunroof (has been replaced but is still there) and other rattles in rear. Gas mileage is a huge disappointment , as well. But overall, it looks great and has a nice ride and adequate power for my purposes. No car/SUV is perfect. Just look at consumer discussions of luxury cars/SUV's. This one has many positives that allow me to accept the few negatives.
Happy Ravin
very fun car to drive.
New Buyer
The 2002 Toyota RAV4's exterior on the L-series model is the best around. It truly looks similar to a BMW from the side and is inexpensive to boot. I have found nothing but good reviews on the vehicle and it is fun to drive! It's spacious and fuel efficient and I can't think of a better small SUV to make it through winter and cruise through summer in!!!
Shocks & Struts need replacing
It is a value-priced auto.