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Used 2002 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
123 reviews
...9

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4.75 out of 5 stars

1st Time Toyota Buyer

Gushguire, 08/19/2002
2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I got rid of my '96 GMC Jimmy and bought the RAV4. The 4-cyl. has good acceleration and nimble handling. I'm dissapointed in the gas mileage--21 mpg in the city. I've tried switching to an 89 octane with no better results, so I'm sticking to 87. The rear headrests can block your view, so if you routinely drive alone, I'd suggest removing them for the clearest view. I'm tall--5'10" and there is plenty of leg room on the driver's side. Annoying rattle behind the glove compartment at speeds in excess of 30. Rear seats remove and reinstall with ease. Nice feature to haul around the dogs.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

GOOD CAR FOR SHORT PEOPLE

MARK SCHOLZ, 07/03/2004
2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

IS MY WIFE'S CAR, SHE LOVES IT AND I DON'T MIND IT. ACCELERATION IS SLUGGISH UNLESS YOU FLOOR IT THEN IT TAKES OFF. WE HAVE DRIVEN IT TO FLORIDA 3 TIMES (3000MILES) AND I WAS VERY COMFORTABLE (6'3") MY ONLY COMPLAINTS ARE; PASSENGER POWER MIRROR HAS LIMITED ADJUSTABILITY CAN'T PUT IT HIGH ENOUGH TO SEE WELL. WIND NOISE FROM WINDSHIELD AT 65 MPH AND ABOVE. i PUT A K+N FILTER ON IT WHICH HELPED MILEAGE AND PERFORMANCE. WE AVERAGE 24 MPG CITY AND HIGHWAY. 28MPG IS THE BEST WE'VE SEEN (4X4 AUTO) WHEN I DRIVE I GET ABOUT 23 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY DOING WELL OVER 65. DON'T BOTHER WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, YOU DON'T NEED THEM. NOTHING HAS BROKE. HAPPY WITH QUALITY

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Pretty Good Car

Leslie R, 01/29/2009
2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I've loved this car, mostly because it's just the right size for me. I can pack up half of my belongings and drive across the country (which I have to do occasionally because of my job), but I don't feel like I'm driving a tank around the city. I also feel confident that I'm not going to be stuck on the side of the road in the desert. The lack of power is a problem. Accelerating onto the freeway can be a little scary. Driving through the Rocky Mountains, I've felt like I might start rolling backward. Turning radius is amazing, though. My husband, who is very tall, thinks it's horribly uncomfortable to either ride or drive, especially over long distances.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Great Car but horrible seats

Kristin S , 02/20/2009
2002 Toyota RAV4 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love my Rav4 with the exception of the seats. Toyota really skimped on the comfort factor. The seats are not supportive and feel like they are made out of foam. Other than that I have never had ANY problems with my RAV4. It is the most reliable car I have ever had. Great storage, especially with the large pack "trunk". Handles great, has a great turn radius. Easy to drive but it could definitely use more torque going on hill and passing cars on the freeway. In the next couple of months I am looking to sell my RAV4 and I am looking at Lexus and Acura. The number one feature I am looking for are ergonomic seats and dash board placement which the RAV4 certainly does not have.

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5 out of 5 stars

The Safety Factor

gnikgnik, 06/17/2002
2002 Toyota RAV4 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have a 2001 RAV4. Last Wednesday night, my brother had an accident on the freeway - he ran headfirst into the center divider doing 70 MPH and walked away without a scratch. If you are looking for a reliable, safe car that gets good gas mileage then the RAV4 is a great vehicle.

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4 out of 5 stars

Watch out for minor annoyances

T_Sport, 08/20/2002
2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Problems: The 3-spoke steering wheel doesn't move down nearly enough to get a comfortable grip. If you like to drive, holding one hand or both on the bottom spokes, you will NOT like the Rav4 steering wheel. The other major flaw with the car is the pathetically weak factory stereo. My car had the 'upgraded' stereo which results in two more useless paper tweeter speakers. Unfortunately, at this time, Crutchfield doesn't support the 2002/2001 Rav4, so speaker upgrades are tough. I replaced the factory head unit with a Sony unit which resulted in more power but ZERO bass, and distortion above 30% power. If you love good music, buy a Nissan.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

U got to love the RAV

ozeross, 09/10/2002
2002 Toyota RAV4 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The performance of the vehicle is excellent and it give a decent fuel economy in its class. Its roomy, has good looks both interior and exterior (with L Pack)and leather interiors and one can surely say that this vehicle could have easily carried a LEXUS badge. Talking about power and torque, in its class its really good. Yes, one can of course argue that the others in the segment have more HP than RAV4, but let be practical, this is a recreational vehicle and not a truck. And of course, the HP was will neve end..., I would say it you can make a deal on this buddy, PEACE OF MIND is guranteed.

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3.25 out of 5 stars

*BEWARE*

Lee, 07/23/2008
2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Loved this car at first, started getting a lot of wind noise, and noise from rear, had it looked at, but found nothing. Now, with only 120,000 miles on it, it started slipping. Had it checked and transmission is gone, of course it's past warranty, plus the ECM (engine control module) would also need to be replaced, costing me $4,800.00.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

2002 RAV4 5spd

RB, 03/06/2009
2002 Toyota RAV4 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought new in 2002. 5spd Stick, original clutch still going strong at 100000+... oil changed regularly, front brakes once, tires once, wiper blades, a couple of light bulbs... THAT's IT! Terrific little wagon!!! Best vehicle I've ever owned. Check Engine Light came on after about a year, reprogramming of the module was done at no cost and has never come on since! I'd definitely buy another!!!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Carlos's Toy

BuddyBoy, 09/17/2002
2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have owed my 2002 Rav4 for 5 months now and driven it 9,000 miles. On back roads it does great, takes the curves like a little sports car. I get 24 miles per gallon. Good ride. Does great on the highway except when you go up prolonged uphill grades, the car wants to kick in and out of passing gear. The major complaint that I have about this vehicle is the passing gear. Do not try to pass someone on a 2 lane road except when you have a lot of time to do it. When you punch the accelerator down into passing gear, you think the car is going to take off like a rocket, but when you pull out into the passing lane the vehicle doesn't go anywhere.

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