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The best used Toyota RAV4 SUV years aren’t hard to find if you know what to look for. This Toyota sport utility vehicle has been on the market for almost 30 years and has a solid reliability history. With that said, there is one year that is worth avoiding. Even with a mostly spotless record like Toyota has, everyone has an off year. Check out some of the best RAV4 years to seek out.

What are the best used Toyota RAV4 years?

The best used Toyota RAV4 SUV years
A new Toyota RAV4 SUV | Toyota

Kelley Blue Book thoroughly tests all the new vehicles on the market. 2017 is one of the best used Toyota RAV4 SUV years to look for. With high scores for reliability, this year has proven to be a good buy. The owner satisfaction score for this year was average, but it is higher than the years before and after.

Some of the reliability trouble spots, like the engine, transmission, and drive system, were not a problem for the 2017 Toyota RAV4. Owners reported being satisfied with the driving experience and styling. Experts say this year of the Toyota SUV is among the most reliable small SUVs you can buy.”

The best used Toyota RAV4 SUV years

Going back a few more years, 2012 is one of the best used Toyota RAV4 SUVs. While most years of the RAV4 are recommended, 2012 is a good year to look for. The reliability score is high, and the owner satisfaction score was good enough. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mostly gave four and five-star ratings this year in its crashworthiness tests.

Speaking of the NHTSA, the organization has issued a few recalls for the Toyota SUV this year. Two of these recalls relate to the airbags, so make sure these recalls have been done before signing any paperwork. Other than that, 2012 provided a safe and reliable Toyota RAV4 SUV.

If you can, avoid the 2019 year of this Toyota sport utility vehicle

Even though 2019 wasn’t that long ago, it is a rare miss for the Toyota RAV4. The reliability and owner satisfaction scores are below average, which is a bad combination. For whatever reason, 2019 started a slight dip in the usually stellar reliability history.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2019 Toyota RAV4 high scores in most of its crashworthiness tests. The 2020 version saw a slight improvement, so skip over the 2019 year. While it is still a safe SUV, it might give buyers more headaches than it is worth.

Getting a pre-purchase inspection is always a good idea if you buy a used car. Otherwise, finding a Certified Pre-Owned car, truck, or SUV is an excellent avenue to pursue. These will likely be only a few years old and with lower miles. The Toyota RAV4 SUV has plenty of room for cargo, good fuel economy numbers, and there are enough years to choose from to suit many budgets.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.