The 2010 RAV4 lasts over 300,000 miles with only some paint and computer issues. At $10,958 to $14,038, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a great small SUV.
Is the 2010 Toyota RAV4 a Good Used SUV?
- Yes, 2010 is a good year. Owner reviews praise the all-wheel drive system, excellent build quality, and storage space.
- Reliability ratings are excellent. Models from 2008–2018 are all great choices, with some more complaints on the 2007.
- Performance is average from the 4-cylinder, but the V6 is very powerful for a small SUV.
- The RAV4 is very safe given its size, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is good, at up to 24 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the RAV4?
- Consumer Reports says the 2010 RAV4 is a great well-rounded package, with above average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the RAV4 a 4.3/5 liking the balanced ride and handling, but disliking the side-opening tailgate.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the RAV4 4.4/5 and enjoy the car-like driving experience, but dislike the poor off-road performance.
What Common Problems Does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 Have?
The most common complaints on the 2010 RAV4 include paint issues, unintended acceleration, and all-wheel-drive system lights.
Paint bubbling and peeling is the most common complaint from owners at around 80,000 miles. When the paint is not cared for, it starts to fail, and costs about $1,000 per panel to repaint.
Unintended acceleration is another issue reported by owners in the first 50,000 miles. There’s a software update available from Toyota which solves the problem and can be installed for free by a dealership.
Warning lights from the all-wheel drive system are mentioned in the first 1,000 miles. The most common source of the problem is a traction control sensor, which costs about $100 to replace.
There are 14 recalls, with the most serious ones being for rear suspension components rusting, which can increase the risk of an accident.
How Long Will the 2010 Toyota RAV4 Last?
A properly cared for 2010 RAV4 should be able to last over 300,000 miles, which is twice as long as competitors like the Chevy Equinox. The average annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs, according to Repair Pal, at $419 per year.
It is very reliable, besides the normal wear and tear and general maintenance. No major mechanical problems, occasional recall fixtures.
It is an incredibly reliable vehicle, as well as most other Toyotas. My car is extremely reliable and I take great care of it to keep it running smoothly.
Extremely reliable! I have driven through snow storms and have had to travel for business with it. Lots of space and very sturdy!
I believe it is a very reliable car. The only problems I have had with mine so far is some wiring to small lights in my dashboard, but it has not affected the way the car functions at all.
I have not encountered any issues so far. I absolutely love my car. I would definitely recommend this car to people with children. It is roomy without being too big and just all around an awesome car.
Not so far. I have just owned it for a week. Everything seems to be in exceptionally good order. It is very reliable.
No, I have never experienced any issues with my vehicle. I would prefer the gas mileage to be a bit better.
The only problem that I currently have with it is that the battery in my key fob stopped working. So now I have to unlock it with the key and to start it I have to put the fob up to the push button start to get the car to start.
How Much Is the 2010 Toyota RAV4 Worth?
Blue book values range from $10,958 to $14,038, making the RAV4 about $3,000 more than a Ford Escape or Jeep Liberty. When new, the price range was $21,675 to $27,985. Depreciation is better than average, only losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the RAV4?
There are three models of the RAV4 available. The technology was just updated in 2009, with a complete redesign coming for the 2013 model year.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Limited Slip Differential
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX
Sport is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Color-Keyed Bumpers
- Sport Suspension
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Limited is the luxury model and has:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Automatic Headlights
- Upgraded 9 Speaker JBL Stereo With Bluetooth
What Engines Come In the RAV4?
- The base engine is an average 5L-4-cylinder which makes 179 horsepower and gets up to 24 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the powerful 3.5L V6, which offers 269 horsepower and gets up to 22 MPG combined. Performance is great, taking only 6.9 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the RAV4 Come In?
How Big Is the RAV4?
The 2010 Toyota RAV4 is an average compact SUV, similar in size to rivals including the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester. Passenger room is very good in the first and second rows. It’s one of the only compact SUVs with an optional third row, but legroom is cramped there.
Cargo space is similar to rivals, with 36.4 cubic feet of room behind the second row, and 73 cubic feet with the backseats folded flat.
How Does the RAV4 Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota Highlander is another rival from Toyota costing about $1,500 more. Passenger room and interior materials are nicer in the Highlander, but the RAV4 is easier to park in a small city. We recommend the Highlander since you get more room for only slightly more money.
The Honda CR-V is another compact SUV which is about $1,000 less. The infotainment system and interior materials are nicer in the CR-V, but the RAV4 has a more powerful engine available. We recommend the RAV4, but you can’t really go wrong with either since they’re great SUVs.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota RAV4?
Yes, my vehicle is very reliable, roomy, dependable, fits my family and it is comfortable. It fits my lifestyle. Enough room for dogs and travel.
Yes, it is an amazing vehicle and the best sides SUV. It is not too large and it is incredibly easy to learn how to drive compared to a smaller vehicle.
Yes, I have had mine for years and have had minimal issues! Routine maintenance is the only thing I had to do.
Yes! It is reliable and the perfect size for many activities including moving, camping, skiing, and group road trips. It also gets pretty good gas mileage.
Yes! I was recently in a wreck in my rav4 and because the tire holder on the back absorbed most of the impact me and my kids were ok.
Yes it is very reliable and safety is key. The gas mileage is substantial. The safety features are helpful.
Yes it is a very reliable vehicle. I have owned it for almost a year, and have gone on several trips with it, having no issues.
Yes it is a reliable small SUV and is good on gas mileage. It has a good amount of cargo room behind the backseat. It has heated seats which is a nice feature.