The 2018 Toyota RAV4 lasts around 300,000 miles with minor paint chipping and brake wear issues. At $20,225 to $28,150, it’s more expensive than other small SUVs, yet worth the money since it offers outstanding reliability.
Is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Toyota RAV4, excellent reliability paired with a decent interior gives it a high overall score. Owner reviews praise the efficient engine, advanced safety features, as well as the low ownership costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for an SUV in its price range, the seats are comfortable on long trips, cargo space is also good for its size.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no major problems found on the 2018 RAV4. In general models from 2010 through 2022 are all dependable choices.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the 4-cylinder engine, however the RAV4 is not a very sporty SUV.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2018 RAV4 is a very safe SUV earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety tech includes a rearview camera, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, along with lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include blind spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, as well as parking sensors.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 26 MPG giving 384 miles of range from the 14.8 gallon tank. Gas costs are $47 cheaper than average at $195 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Toyota RAV4 holds its value very well while having low ownership costs, giving it a high value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota RAV4?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is consistently one of the best compact SUVs on the market, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the RAV4 at 4.4/5, praising the spacious cabin, but doesn’t like the relatively slow engine.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the RAV4 a 4.4/5, enjoying the standard advanced safety technology, but owners don’t like the poor off-road performance.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Toyota RAV4 include paint chipping, brake noise, as well as some rare stalling engines. Overall, these problems are similar to other compact SUVs, leading to average repair bills as it ages as well.
Paint chipping is the most widespread complaint from owners at around 25,000 miles. The paint on the front bumper and hood is thinner than in some other SUVs, leading to it chipping easily when hit with rocks. The only way to fix the problem is by repainting the affected areas, which costs around $1,000 per panel.
Brake noise has also been reported by 2018 RAV4 owners at around 35,000 miles. Hard braking causes the pads and rotors to wear down quickly. Replacing the brake pads costs around $350, while a new set of rotors is over $500 if there are wear issues with them as well.
Stalling engines have also been reported by some owners at roughly 30,000 miles. The main source of the problem is the charcoal canister for the EVAP system getting clogged. Replacing the canister costs around $600, depending on local labor rates.
There are 2 minor recalls on the 2018 Toyota RAV4, which is better than most other compact SUVs. Both of the recalls cover incorrect load carrying labels, which are not mechanically serious. Toyota will install new labels on affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Toyota RAV4 can last around 300,000 miles, which is about 50,000 more than the popular Honda CR-V. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs, according to data from Repair Pal, at $424 per year.
As a used 2018 Toyota RAV4 reaches 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace the oil pan for $480, windshield wiper motor costing $150, as well as the power seta motor which costs $575.
The only problem we noticed is there are no air conditioning vents in the back seat area. Anyone sitting back there gets very little air so the front vents need to be adjusted.
Very reliable vehicle. Great gas mileage and great on highway. Does great in all weather conditions especially snow.
The rav 4 is very reliable. I have had my vehicle for 2 years and I have had no issues. I love Toyotas but I prefer something more roomy. I may buy the 4 runner when my lease is up.
Yes it is very reliable. I have had no problems with it since I have bought it and I have driven a significant amount of miles so far.
Its reliable for the most part; I have only noticed a few small kinks. For instance, sometimes when moving from park to drive the vehicle rolls backwards.
No problems, and I love that my Toyota dealership is on top of recalls to check for. Toyota's are known for reliability.
It is been very reliable so far. We haven't encountered any problems or 'glitches'. This is our second rav4 so we are definitely satisfied with this line.
Very reliable, I haven't had many issues with it. I will say the brakes are a little iffy but that could just be mine.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good in the 2018 Toyota RAV4. There’s a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen while a larger 7-inch touchscreen is available as an upgrade with Toyota’s entune infotainment system. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still not offered on the RAV4
Safety technology is excellent for an SUV in its price range. Every Toyota RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense. Standard safety tech includes a rearview camera, forward collision warning with brake assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, as well as lane keep assist.
Is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is a great value since it’s an extremely reliable compact SUV. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $20,175 to $28,400, making it more expensive than a Mazda CX-5 or Hyundai Tucson. When new, the price range was $24,660 to $36,440. Depreciation is better than other small SUVs, losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota RAV4?
There are six models of the Toyota RAV4 offered in 2018, from the base LE all the way up to the luxurious Platinum. The 2018 RAV4 also comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
LE is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seats
- 1-Inch Touchscreen
- USB Port
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Six-Speaker Sound System
XLE is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Fog Lights
- Heated Mirrors
- Sunroof
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Adventure has more features including:
- 18-Inch Black Alloy Wheels
- Raised Suspension
- Fender Flares
- All-Weather Floor Mats
- 120-Volt Household Outlet
SE offers upgrades such as:
- 18-Inch silver Alloy Wheels
- SofTex Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Paddle Shifters
- Power Driver Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Sport Suspension
- Upgraded Rearview Camera
Limited is next in the lineup with:
- Unique 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- Power Liftgate
- Keyless Ignition and Entry
- Navigation System
- 7-Inch High Resolution Touchscreen
Platinum is the flagship model which adds:
- Hand-Free Liftgate
- Premium Leather Seating
- Heated Steering Wheel
- 360-Degree Parking Camera
- 11-Speaker JBL Sound System
What Engines Come In the Toyota RAV4?
The engine found in the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is an average 2.5L 4-cylinder which makes 176 horsepower while getting up to 26 MPG. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Performance is similar to other small SUVs, taking 8.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Toyota RAV4 Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota RAV4?
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is a comfortable compact SUV with seating for up to five passengers. Seating is nice, offering cushions which hold up well over time while still giving great support for longer drives.
The RAV4 also has a roomy interior for a small SUV, there’s plenty of legroom for taller adults in the back seats.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota RAV4 Have?
Cargo space is excellent, offering one of the largest cargo areas of any compact SUV. There’s enough space for 7-8 suitcases behind the rear seats, and over 13 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Toyota RAV4 came out in 2013, and was replaced by the fifth generation in 2019.
2015: No major changes aside from some new exterior color options.
2016: Minor exterior styling changes, LED headlights added.
2017: More driver assistance features included on all models, new Platinum model added.
2018: New Adventure model added, ride height increased on SE model.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fifth generation with new interior, exterior, and technology.
2020: New TRD Off-Road Model, Android Auto added across the lineup.
2021: No major changes.
How Does the Toyota RAV4 Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota RAV4 is a fantastic compact SUV since it has excellent reliability ratings paired with some of the latest safety technology on the market.
The Honda CR-V is another compact SUV which is about $1,000 less. Where the Honda CR-V stands out is with a sportier driving experience, while the Toyota RAV4 offers more standard safety technology. We recommend the Toyota RAV4 since it has slightly higher reliability ratings, yet both are very good SUVs worth a test drive.
The Subaru Forester is a competitor which costs around $2,000 less. The standard all-wheel drive system found in the Subaru Forester is great, while there’s more passenger room in the Toyota RAV4. We recommend the Toyota RAV4 since it’s cheaper to own long-term, although both are great choices for a compact SUV.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota RAV4?
Yes. It gets very good gas mileage and is easy to handle. It also gives a very nice ride. The inside is very roomy and the trunk area has a great capacity for large items.
Yes. All wheel drive and compact perfect family car. Came with XM satellite radio which we love as well as able to haul our pop up camper.
Yes, it is a great vehicle. It is AWD so it is good in the snow. It is very roomy and it fits 3 kids comfortably in the backseat. The hatch back is very roomy and it fits a lot of groceries. It is very reliable and dependable. The only con is the gas mileage. It is a 6 cylinder so it uses up a lot of gas in the city. Highway driving has better mileage.
Yes, I love the size, how it rides, the interior, and the price, I feel it is the perfect car for me.
Yes, but the backseat is a tad bit small to comfortably fit multiple car seats. The only other thing I dislike is the how the middle seat belt extends from the room.
Yes! The safety features are top of the line and my gas mileage is great. It has more space than my Mazda cx 5 and feels much more open. I love how easy it is to drive-turning is not difficult and it handles well for a High profile Style car.
Yes! No complaints. It is good on gas but big enough to handle whatever we need., and it is a nice looking vehicle too.
Yes it is. It is very dependable and gets me from point a to point b, with great gas mileage and everything.