Used 2008 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A) Consumer Reviews
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Toyota is Slipping
voicedude, Milton, WA, 05/17/2011
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
63 of 65 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for the engine, and it remains the best feature of the car. But I have had ongoing problems with the transmission, and many others have, too. This is only true with the 5-speed transmission on the V6 (not the 4-cyl.) The now infamous "whining transmission" noise that has been well documented on the owner's forums (search transmission noise on RAV4 World and others) is something you will want to consider when you're buying this vehicle used. Also the poor response from Toyota in fixing the problem under warranty has completely soured me on the ownership experience, so I wouldn't be able to recommend this car to anyone. Go with Honda.
Good family hauler
tireguy, 04/20/2009
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
No surprises with the RAV4. I dove into this purchase with extensive research, and optioned it precisely to suit my family's needs (well, mostly my needs): Limited, V6, 4wd, leather, JBL, 3rd row, tow package. On paper, it's exactly what a family of 5 needs to motor about the local area (with three kids in car seats) in a bit of style. What this vehicle lacks (unbeknownst to the spec-sheet analyst) is any serious personality. It's fast, but handles like a van. It's a suitable light-medium duty tow vehicle; I frequently tow a 2,000 lb enclosed trailer and barely know it's there. The interior is laid out fine. Exteriorwise, the front is nice, but the back bumper is just plain ugly.
2008 Toyota RAV4 for sale near you
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- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,90020 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,50020 mi away
- Sport 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,99017 mi away
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A VERY solid SUV to purchase
mkjyoung22, 07/07/2008
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
A very good value for your money. This SUV has a ton of power (269 horsepower), and handles exceptionally. The fun factor CANNOT be matched by any vehicle in its class, and probably not by many out of its class. The mileage is very good too, as mine gets 24mpg over all. The interior is comfortable for five people (I am 6ft 3in) and the third row people can sit reasonably comfortable, depending on how you adjust the second row of seats... but is fantastic if you have a few kids. The quality is very solid, the doors seem heavy when you shut them, and the items that are plastic do not have that 'cheap' feel to them. The controls are well placed and very helpful. I am very satisfied overall.
Great concept but weak execution.
PGS031, 10/22/2008
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Failed on some basics: seats: too short, feels like stadium bench; angle of headrest horrible. Dash controls: paid designer too much; should hire an ergonomics engineer. Dash lighting and visibility - poorly lit & can't see some displays when wearing polarized sunglasses. Center and door arm rests too low. Throttle: peppy after lag, way too touchy, use more of the travel. 4x4 lock: this is an SUV, I want to control when it is 4x4 not have it automatically switch out at 25 mph. Rear bumper: add textures top for "stepping surface". "Premium" radio: whine w/ MP3; sound quality not very impressive. Window lock: driver can't open windows when lock is engaged. Strange clunk in back end.
Best smaller SUV ever owned!!!
Nick, 03/08/2009
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
My wife and I love this SUV... she calls it a rocket! With the 269 HP, it gets you going no matter what speed you are at. I tried the 4WD/AWD system and VSC this past snow storm and it didn't even flinch in 15" of snow, if you started going sideways, purposely or not, the VSC had you straight in 1 second. The interior is comfortable, roomy, and full of great extras. The sound system rocks with the JBL subwoofer. I tow a jet ski down on the beach with it and you can't even feel the ski back there. It could get a little better fuel mileage, but hey we are heavy on the pedal. 9500 miles into it and not one problem at all! Great SUV, highly recommend. Wish you could get 3rd row with leather.