2008 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews

Happy owner

Written by: Tim Toews on 11/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought our Rav 4 after having a 06 Tacoma and very impressed with it. My wife loves it. The ride is good, the power is exceptional, and the fuel economy is right where we need it. We got the Sport model so we got the 18 in alloys along with the leather and moonroof options, the heated seats are nice in the winter.

Favorite Features

Heated leather seats, fuel economy, power, looks, comfort, pretty much impressed with the whole lot.

Suggested Improvements

Better sound system. Better placement of heated seat controls, cup holders to close to controls. Aux plug needs to be on console not inside the cd holder, I guess the 09 have changed that.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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LOVE my new RAV4 Limited

Written by: jude on 11/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've had it less than a week and couldn't be happier (so far). I had test driven six other vehicles from Subaru to Honda to Jeep, etc. It is such a comfortable drive, esp. with the power driver's seat that includes lumbar support. I find the ride to be quiet and it accelerates quickly. I absolutely love the design of the dashboard and the displays. The leather wrapped steering wheel is wonderful and it can be adjusted easily. This vehicle has far exceeded my expectations, esp. after having driven six others.

Favorite Features

Power seat, adjustable steering wheel, dashboard, plenty of room and lots of storage from front to back, quiet ride, gas mileage, great acceleration, rear door entry, push-button back row seats lay-down, lumbar support... too many to mention.

Suggested Improvements

Again, I have to say, "so far". I would have liked at least 3 months of Sirius radio and of course I wish the gas mileage was in the 30s.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Happy owner

Written by: Frank on 10/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

It was 10 years since I bought a new car and I chose the Rav4 over the CRV after careful consideration and driving the V6 version. I needed a new car for a newly emerging family so I needed something more useful than a 2 seater truck and Miata. I required fuel efficiency and a healthy reliability rating so Toyota and Honda were top of the list. I chose to get an SUV over a car because of the utility factor (I also have 2 big dogs). I can't comment on reliability yet but I am in love with this vehicle.

Favorite Features

The V6 engine! And plush interior (fully loaded Limited version)

Suggested Improvements

I would have liked the fold down arm rests, panoramic rear view mirror built into the sunglass holder and a more featured informational computer like the CRV has.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Best ever

Written by: jueregn on 10/26/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This vehicle is by far better than the Honda crv I had before. Gas mileage even with a 6 cyl is by far better than the Honda. Interior in the Honda was a little better. The main point against the Honda for me it has not the same power and the gas mileage is not as good. The seating and all the little bells and whistles are great. Handling and driving comfort are exceptional. Off road driving, attributed to great ground clearance and power, is great !

Favorite Features

The whole car

Suggested Improvements

Better interior

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Automobile

Written by: Lynn Hollenbach on 10/26/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Previously purchased an '07 Subaru Outback and disappointed with the interior space, although a great driving machine. Have had the Rav4 for 3 weeks and my wife and I absolutely love this car. Excellent driving position and front seat comfort and visibility while the 4 cylinder engine provides more than adequate power. If we lived up north I would recommend the all wheel drive, but in Maryland and/or further south the FWD is excellent since EST and traction control are standard. The 6 cylinder only truly necessary if one lives in a hilly area. Averaging 25 MPG. Our favorite car in 40 years of driving.

Favorite Features

Interior space. Driving position. Visibility. Comfort. Exterior appearance.

Suggested Improvements

Interior door panel for driver cuts in a little too much. Lighting on dash middle console hard to read in daylight. (Only minor complaints)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Leg cramps from uncomfortable seats

Written by: Steve on 10/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I really can't wait to get rid of this car. It's nothing like my old 4runner. Driver's seating position is so uncomfortable I have constant leg cramps. I tried spacers under seat legs, extra spring on gas pedal, lumbar pillow, seat cushion, none worked. I have to drive for now but this is the last toyota for me. That is saying a lot from a guy that had 4 so far but this one is not my favorite. Really don't like silly side-swinging rear door. Dash rattles. It struggles to get the rated MPGs. Transfer case whines a bit a certain speeds. I am just plain unsatisfied.

Favorite Features

Good size if you like suv but need MPG. 3.5L engine is great.

Suggested Improvements

Front seat replacement. Too hard, wrong angle, just plain painful to drive long distances. Standard lift rear door instead of left opening. more MPG. Transmission is not always smooth.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great concept but weak execution.

Written by: PGS031 on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

Seats: 2nd row forward/back adjustability; 3rd row split seats are great. V6 option. Fuel economy and fuel grade requirement. Responsive handling. OK turning radius. Good visibility all around. Functionality for size.

Suggested Improvements

Length of seating surface. Allow 4x4 to 60 mph. Control ergonomics and functions. Arm rest heights. Sound system quality. Re-program throttle and eliminate lag. Could gain leg room by "thinning" seatbacks. Add front/back adjustability to headrest. Stiffen doors (shake when closed).

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Reconsidering It

Written by: Ray on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My first complaint is the interior. Really cheap looking. Other comparable models like the CR-V have much nicer interior. Toyota really lacks technology in their interiors. Cargo area lighting is so terrible! Why put the light on the door which is going to be open? Furthermore, door opens to curbside! Why? I'm only 5'7 and I sit with the seat all the way back, and that is already tight for me. if you're tall, definitely don't get a Toyota. They for some reason only have enough room for people my height. Radio antenna is cheap also. Unscrews easily which causes radio static. MPG not as good as advertised.

Favorite Features

Daytime running lights. All wheel drive.

Suggested Improvements

They should make a compartment on driver side for holding quarters! There is no small compartment like on other vehicles. I have no place to stow away loose change. Car seems to make whistling/howling sound when cruising around 20-25 mph.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Not Just For The Younger Set

Written by: KarenB on 10/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I am an older lady who loves my RAV4. So often you drive down the road and all you can see of the driver in front is an inch of blue hair sticking above the steering wheel. In the RAV4 I can sit up high and have better control of the highway and my surroundings. It's easy to get in and out of and I can do it in style. A big thumbs up for my RAV!!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Best SUV ever!!!

Written by: Shahbaz Sakhi on 10/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

We just bought our 1st SUV, and we are loving it! We bought it in white, Sport, 4X4. The RAV4 rides smooths on 18" alloys, and despite having great power, it is still a gas sipper. Our kids are loving it, too. With a high wheel base, and 4X4, I am looking forward to the snow. Love my snow white RAV4!

Favorite Features

Everything!! Moonroof, 18" alloys, interior, exterior, everything!

Suggested Improvements

Better sound system, slightly bigger rear view mirror.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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