The growth of the crossover segment in recent years has raised some concerns about the fate of the other classes. Consumers are increasingly opting for a higher seating position, increased ground clearance and some off-road capability. The successful model of Toyota - RAV4 - has played not the least role in it. We'll look into the nuances of buying a Japanese crossover on the aftermarket.
Owner reviews are full of rave epithets. That's why, for many who aren't intimidated by the prospect of owning a used car, the RAV4 under seven years old looks like a very interesting buy. Unlike its predecessor, Toyota RAV4 body XA30 (2005-2012) was positioned by Toyota is no longer as mini-SUV, and as a compact-SUV and delivered to our country not only officially, but also through the channel "gray" imports, which imported cars from the U.S., Canada and the UAE. Officially in Russia were sold only versions with two engine options - 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder Valvematic engines with variable valve timing system Dual VVT-i. Transmission range includes 5-speed and 6-speed manual, Multidrive S variable speed drive (2010-2012) and 4-speed automatic (2005-2009). Optionally, the 2.0-litre models were available with a single-wheel drive combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
In the third generation, the crossover has lost permanent all-wheel drive, which has somewhat lowered its "quotations" among fans of the model. Nevertheless, as regards electronic assists, RAV4 of those years is very good even to the modern measures. The integrated active control system (IADS) coordinates distribution of torque between axles, the directional stability is provided with Toyota's firm system VSC. The third generation RAV4 was equipped with electric power steering, ABS and emergency brake booster, as well as anti-skid system TRC.
In some markets RAV4 was equipped with diesel engines - 2.0-liter D-4D (2005-2006 model years) with output of 114 hp and 250 Nm between 1800-3000 rpm, and 2.2-liter (2007-2008 model years) with output of 134 hp and 310 Nm between 2000-2800 rpm. In the U.S. versions with 2AR-FE engine (2009-2012) were also available. With a displacement of 2.5 liters, this unit produced 181 hp and 233 Nm at 4000 RPM. From 2005 to 2012, the RAV4 was also sold on the North American market with a truly sporty 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine. Exactly this unit, developing 270 hp and 333 Nm at 4,700 rpm, can be found under a bonnet of Lotus Evora or Toyota Corolla (E140/E150), modified for participation in Super GT races. But it is almost impossible to find such car at the secondary market.
Officially the car was delivered to Russia in two variants - with standard and lengthened by 100 mm wheelbase. After the first restyling in 2009 the cars were produced both on standard and long wheelbase. In 2010, the car underwent another restyling. The appearance of the crossover was significantly changed: the design of the front end of the car was completely redesigned to give more dynamics in the image. At the same time, the LWB version in our country until the end of the life of this body was sold with the appearance of 2009.
In Russia, there were five options: Standard, Comfort, Elegance, Prestige and Prestige+. Starting with the Comfort model, the car was equipped with a multifunction sports leather steering wheel, separate climate control with a cooled glove compartment, light and rain sensors, and a wireless mobile phone connection via bluetooth. In the Prestige+ configuration, the car is equipped with a Russified navigation system. The long-wheelbase version of the car was sold only in the configurations "Comfort+" and "Prestige Plus". All versions of the RAV4 with the Multidrive S continuously variable transmission were fitted with variator manual mode paddle shifters. The variants with manual gearbox were only available in Standard and Comfort.
Engine
Like many brands with a long history, Toyota has managed to establish traditions. One of them is that to prolong life of the model in the market it is subjected to numerous upgrades, and not only outwardly noticeable, but also internally, on aggregates level. The RAV4 of the third generation has not become an exception: the number of modifications within only this generation is expressed in double digits and demands separate consideration, extremely useful for a potential buyer!
At the beginning of its life on the assembly line in December 2005, the RAV4 received a set of power units from the previous body produced since 2000 - 1AZ-FE (2.0L) and 2AZ-FE (2.4L). Already at that time they did not shine with outstanding performance, but still had the main feature - reliability. They have been slightly modernized - 152 hp and 170 hp accordingly (here and further the power will be given according to European methods of measurement). So, these 152 hp. - It is a big stone to the company's marketers. They have lost sight of nuances of the Russian taxation and in comparison with 150 hp in previous generation, insignificant gain of two "horses" has increased the tax almost twice! The Japanese repeated their mistake four years later, but still found the strength to correct it.
The main outcome of the engine upgrade is a simplification of the emission control system, while meeting the requirements of Euro 4 and its US equivalent. Previously, too complicated for 4-cylinder in-line engine system with two sections of catalysts (each for its pair of cylinders - 1,4 + 2,3), with four oxygen sensors, two of which - expensive broadband (otherwise the required environmental standards could not be kept). For third generation of RAV4, Toyota has passed to "usual" scheme - one general catalyst for all cylinders and two oxygen sensors.
In fairness it should be said that the resource of all these parts with adequate operation is not less than 250 thousand km, but the next owner of used car will still have to deal with their replacement. Cost of oxygen sensors - from 1.9-6 thousand rubles for problem-free and high-quality products of famous brands (Bosch, Delphy, NGK, Denso).
The defects of the initial period of operation were detected in mass water pump gasket leak on run 40-60 thousand km, but almost all cars of that period were repaired under warranty, and there is nothing to worry about - if the pump is not leaked then it steadily serves its typical life for Toyota in 250-300 thousand km. And there are no more specific problems with this generation of power units.
With regular oil changes the chain and VVT-i system of variable valve timing shouldn't cause any problems. But you have to be prepared for pump replacement. The cost of this assembly - from 1.2 thousand rubles for Dolz, Jacoparts, Magneti Marelli products up to 3 thousand for SKF or Valeo analogue. If you need to replace radiator, it is also not the most expensive part - from 2 thousand for little-known Asian brand up to 5-5.8 thousand rubles for Nissens, AVA or Sakura.
The only way to kill an engine before the deadline was due to the complete carelessness of the owners. The 1AZ-FE engine is designed to operate with gasoline with octane number 95 (according to European method RON), but allows 92 with some loss of power, and 2AZ-FE is initially designed for 92. Such reliability and unpretentiousness can play a cruel joke on a hapless buyer of a used car, especially from North American market or (yes, don't wonder!) from Japan. The reason is simple - there RAV4 is considered a car of budget segment, so the attitude to it in most cases is Spartan: oil in engine and units aren't changed at all, only personnel pour cheap mineral water into engine...
Toyota withstands 100 km under guarantee, and then it is simply given to a trade-in and left with a new one. Further, it is redeemed cheaply at auction, on ferry - and here is already a shining beauty at market of Lyubertsy, and nobody from dealers cares that the engine hardly holds pressure, and there is no smoke yet - the catalyst is still fresh enough. Therefore, we recommend paying attention first of all to those cars, originally produced for Russia and sold here through a network of official dealers, for which it is possible to check the service history at least during the warranty period (and that means replacement of only synthetic oil in the engine strictly after 10 thousand km). Such cars on the average cost more, but in the future the cost of their operation will be lower. Think about it - good cars even abroad cost expensively, it is simply unprofitable to import them here.
Speaking about cars from the American market, we must make a reservation that everything depends on the owners. American sites like Edmunds.com, have a lot of enthusiastic reviews of RAV4 owners of all generations that report problem-free crossover operation with mileage of 150-200 thousand miles.
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