2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD: Blending in just got easier! In-Depth Review 

What, exactly, are vehicles supposed to intel? Not everyone needs a 60k dollar Cadillac or a 80k dollar Lexus with heated/cooled seats, all power lumbar with 2 person memory.. The RAV4-Some say they're boring. Some say they're not powerful enough. Some say they don't have pretty interior. Ok-taking that in to consideration, people, such as my wife and I, bought a 2013 AWD RAV4. It has a backup camera and touch screen. It plays RU-vid via bluetooth connection. It's all cool and not as much technology to short out. The list goes on and on..if you want a fancy interior, a lot of push buttons to tear up, leather to ruin and wrinkle, and an expensive car in general you're afraid to park it beside someone else, by all means go for it. If the RAV4 isn't for you, why criticize it anyway? You're not gonna buy one and had no intentions of it, so buy something else. If I were 20 again, I wouldn't buy this car. I'm 34 now and Now that I have a small family and we travel light, the RAV4 works for the 3 of us..goes good in snow, easy on gas, rides good-it just works for OUR needs. I'm not trying to race someone. I'm not off-roading, I'm not mud bogging, rock climbing, or whatever else you people criticize this car because it can't do it all. It works for us.

Great car. Probably why it's every other car on the road lol.

Got my XLE AWD 2 weeks now and no regrets, i dont listen to that mommy van etc kind of talk. Great design, meets my expectations all round

glad I could help! thanks for stopping by. -Greg

Hybrid would be a cool option for the RAV, especially since CUVs like this have fully replaced the sedan/wagon for families and is a high take rate over mini-vans too. The Hybrid would probably sell well. -Greg

Glad you liked it! I should be driving the new Escape soon and I believe its quite good. I've driven the old one in hybrid form, I've also driven the Terrain, I'll likely drive a Journey soon too. You're not going to go wrong with the new RAV, but some of the competition might be a bit more "fun". thanks for watching! -Greg

Awesome SUV ! and excellent commentary !

I agree with Greg here (I've driven a couple Rav4s, don't own), the carbon fiber is obviously just plastic with a texture made to look like carbon fiber, not real carbon fiber, and just doesn't fit. Toyota has been making some nice interior changes recently, but, sometimes too busy, too many things going on...here drop the carbon fiber. It really doesn't fit.

Of course taste is subjective. Personally, I just think carbon fiber doesn't fit with the vibe of this CUV. thanks for watching! -Greg

Better than Ford escape and CRV 👍👍

...Overall: the previous Rav4 was ok, but I thought the Honda CR-V was better...now, to my surprise, Toyota changed everything I didn't like about past version and I prefer the 2013 Rav4 over the CR-V! Greg, the Limited adds "leather" trim, heated front seats, optional blind spot monitor and more, but, no rear A/C or 12V outlet...something they do need to add, but, maybe things are tight underneath and they wanted to maximize interior space?

WHAT AN ASS ! F-IN WITH HIS PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

I am using this car from 2013 to still 2016.... This car problem is only front break brake pad and shoes. Otherwise this car is good . This is my experiences.

The front end looks like an Acura RDX to me (not too shabby looking!)

Jack Johnson makes me want to set myself on fire.

Nice review man! I have a few years before I'll probably get one but how come these models have so many recall issues? Its one thing that's playing a hindrance in my future decision.

Good review of an otherwise boring non-descript vehicle. I'm guessing Toyota will sell a lot of these to people who really couldn't care less about enthusiastic driving and just want to get from A to B.

A really good and an honest review. I wish I had seen this video before I bought mine. Not quite happy with the price I paid and the interior design.

What does the audio system sound like in it?

i want to buy my new toyota rav4 and this video makes me more decided to buy it !! i just have a question how much coast the luxary version of this rav4? Thank you very much for the video.

very very important review for a buying decision...thank you very much

The seats are NOT comfortable. They are hard and have this lean-forward feel. My back always hurt after driving over an hour. The ride is stiff and every bump is felt. I sold mine 6 months after purchasing... Its my fault for not test driving it more.

Very opinionated

Electric power steering? I'm guessing, once the current (CA only) Rav4 EV sells out, we'll see a Rav4 EV off this platform, maybe by 2015 model year. I do expect Hybrid version in 2014 (Camry's hybrid drivetrain), maybe even PHEV? ok, done commenting now ;)

Does the fog light come included in 2013 xle fwd? Mine does not turn on.

Plastic door handles?!? C'mon Toyota. At least try. Anyways, great review. Love the way you structure your videos. Also enjoyed the dual view during the drive.

I would buy a used vehicle for the price of the rav4. My friend has a rav4 xle 2013 which he paid over $25000. Borrowed it for a day. Ya it has the back up camera and stuff but the ride is not smooth. Good review.....but the seats r not comfortable, when compared to competing crossovers such as the gmc terrain and chevy equinox.

Gone! Only 4 cylinder power now. Most people will be fine with the 4, although I hear the V6 made the RAV a little sleeper! -Greg

Yes there is vents,look underneath the front seats.

good points. Not sure why no rear vents, DC outlet...really puzzled on that one. thanks for info and checking out the review. -Greg

I had the same reaction on the rav4 2015 about the carbon fiber accents. But soon realised they are great at hiding scuffs and even cigarette burn marks 😂 I think this suv is the apogee golden era of the rav4. Just like the late 90's hondas and acuras. Its a car that can survive any type of crazy.

thanks for watching. And yes, I wasn't real hip on the styling either. Everything else makes it a pretty great buy though. -Greg

Glad he agrees the new face looks awful compared to the old front end and those angled pillars suck. I like a big open back and side windows so you can see your blind spots.

I tend to agree with you, made for a deeper cargo area and a 3rd row. thanks for checking it out and chiming in. -Greg

How much money for this car

Not sure. I'll look into it. Might be a nice comparison. thanks for checking it out. -Greg

parents just bought me one so excited to be able to drive it :D

You're on top of trends & tackiness. Odd, flared trapezoidal shapes (excess in the '13 Santa Fe), pillars ("Pontiac-styled", lol), pointy bump-outs (Volvo? Honda CRV?!) only out-dates all the sooner. RAV4's before: too dull, boxy, conservative. Now they could pass for any decent SUV. Meh.

that V6 felt too big for that little Rav4...but, yeah, fast, but, suspension was too soft in previous Rav4s, didn't really work. ...I imagine Toyota dropped it to make production simpler, less expensive, by only having to tool it for one engine, they have some little extras inside the vehicle that are nice for the price range. This 4 banger is same as Camry. The 6-speed tranny makes it fine for normal driving, most will like it, but, not a performer.

Great, glad you caught this before you went! thanks for watching. -Greg

That's a valid issue. thanks for checking it out! -Greg

thanks for the comments! (and for watching!) -Greg

It's the soccer mom of yuppy cars....Generic?? lol...All Toyota are generic and reserved styling. Toyota don't wanna piss of their Old Farts that's been buying their cars year after year.

more than reasonable, thanks for watching nonetheless! -Greg

I like the wheel on the trunk, i personally think if they put the wheel on the trunk, then they can deepen the space of the trunk.

yes i love this vehicle i have one in magnatic gray colour and its really comfortable car

great review. styling is wierd looking. especially with those tail lights sticking out like 7 inches from the back. same with the crv hockey stick tail lights. too much plastic.

I just bought one of these in Red.. Before I left the lot I got several compliments on the color and style. Today a guy stopped me commenting on the style and the color. Sorry I didn't like your review.

appreciate you checking it out. -Greg

glad it helped, thanks for watching! -Greg

What are you talking about! I think the carbon fiber looks really good with the latte color leather that I got with my 2013

thanks for chiming in! (and watching) -Greg

i thought you are not suppose to be on your phone while driving

i leased a 2013 equinox and cannot wait until i can turn it back in. i'll be either getting this, a forrester, or cr-v. hate to say it but the japanese are making far better automobiles these days.

thanks for checking it out! -Greg

Lol u cant even buy a mercedes wagon these days. Mercedes only make it when you pre-order.

GREAT intro. Love how you set up the rest of the video with that opening. Do you have any experiences with other compact SUVs such as some of the American variety (or any non-Japanese ones)? I know the Rav4 is good.. and I know Toyota makes reliable cars. But really if I have a choice, which I do, I want to buy an American. But only if there is one that can match the Toyota in reliability. What do you think?

We have a 2008 rav4 and the second row actually slides, but that was there because it would give more leg room to the third row of seats. Since they eliminated the third row for this generation, they eliminated that feature.

Very direct and comprehensive review.Yea carbon fiber come on.Toyota did a pretty good job with the restyle.

thanks so much! -Greg

nice review looking to buying one

thanks! -Greg

As always, great review.! Keep up the good work.

How's it ironic that you got behind a fiesta?

Good review. Will def help me in making my buying decision.

hi greg.i want to make you a question.the hac system works with a button or is automatic used. thenks greg :D

Would love a RAV4 black, spruce mica green, or blue crush metallic.

Could u do a 2010 rav 4

Where's the V6?

Frankly

Nise

thanks so much! -Greg

I purchased a New 2013 RAV4 Limited. I bought the car blindly having already owned 9 Toyotas. It was a mistake. Do not buy this car! In one month the dashboard developed a LOUD tapping noise. Other interior rattles started as well as the front driver's seat squeaking. After two trips to the dealer, the main tapping sound is fixed. However... I took the dash apart myself and padded every possible area of friction with foam tape. There's still other annoying rattles I've never been able to track down. Also, at 40k miles the ride is incredibly harsh and jarring. Also, even in Sport mode, the vehicle has no torque and with guests or other weight in the car, it really bogs down and struggles to climb hills. To sum it up: If you don't care about comfort, engine power, interior quality and cheap exterior paint this car is for you. This is a strictly utitilitarian car that is not fun or comfortable to drive. It will get you from point A to point B. On the plus side, the Toyota motor and non CVT transmission should run for a long time with standard maintainance.