How Does the 3rd Gen Toyota RAV4 Perform as a Soft Roader? 

First vid I've seen from you and man, you really are a good presenter. No shitty gimmicks, no annoying music, you research your subject, and overall, this is a very, very good vid IMHO. Subscribed.

Best vehicle for camping. The room inside is larger than 4runner because the spare tire is outside hanging on the gate instead of under the SUV or inside taking up trunk height space. I had one and looking to buy it again. My Xterra has half the room. And MPG, 28 on the highway compare to 17 for Xterra or 4runner.

I'm a big camper and fisher, at least once a year I head to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan usually by myself, I have more than enough room in my trunk for my rods, tents and anything else, love this car to death

Nice video- I really like my 2012 V6 4wd- still runs great with 157,000 miles on it. The 3.5 is a real sleeper.

I own a 11 Rav 4WD Limited with a 3.5 V6. It has every option available in 11. I LOVE my Rav. I do pamper it and it doesn’t lack for power. I’ve enjoyed it since the day I bought it. It does everything I need it to do. There’s no other naturally aspirated engine on the market with 269 hp in a small suv. It’s almost 12 years old and I plan on driving it another 10-15 years. In another 15 years it should have only about 130K miles. But by that time the rubber seals and the CV boots will start cracking so I’ll donate it to our church and replace it with either another Rav AWD hybrid or a Lexus hybrid. That will be the last vehicle I’ll ever have to buy.

Nice job with the review of the third-gen RAV4. I purchased a 2012 RAV4 Limited V6 in 2015 (lease return) and I've been using it to take numerous camping trips and backroad adventures. The V6 surprisingly provides a very good amount of torque that I've been able to put to good use in generating momentum to get through rough terrain providing limited traction. Again, nice job with the review - THANKS for sharing.

Great video! I appreciate the technical data and matching visual explanations. Keep the quality content flowing!

First off, love the fact that you mention it's your mom's car😂. Second, I've been searching for a decent explanation/test of this for hours and finally found your video🙌👏👏

Great information! You are more knowledgeable than most vehicle testers

You produce Great Content and love that mom lets you rag out her car for these great videos! But you helped her pick the best one so it's well deserved. I had a sleeper 540 wagon, but this is reliable and so much better in every way being functional and not throwing good money after bad is priceless. Anyone I know who owns these regrets ever getting rid of them.

I have a 2007 RAV4 V6 Sport. Runs well and still reliable even at 200K miles on the same original engine. I like the torque the V6 gives, with a good power to weight ratio. This makes it a pocket rocket on the highway. Being a sport model, it has a stiffer suspension and bigger 18 inch aluminum wheels that gives it an aggressive look and good ground clearance. I also like the head room and shoulder room on this model - so much interior space not obvious when seen from the exterior. Most of all, I like the smooth rounded look on this model with no crisp corner lines on all body panels, thus it looks simple and yet, a timeless design. If you look at the current Mercedes Benz GLE model SUV you’ll know what I mean when I say simple. They have the same smooth overall lines. To me, I think this model is a keeper.

Really good and thorough review! Was surprised to see this video in my recommended. I have the 2008 rav4 with the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine, the main issue with that variant is the pistons and piston rings were not designed correctly which would lead to a horrendous amount of oil burning. Under the Toyota Service bulletin and extended warranty I was able to get the problem parts replaced for free. Has not burned oil an still runs perfect after its service on 2016. Both the 2.4L and 2.5L engines run on a timing chain.

Lots of information. That diagonal test was awesome!

Nice video man! I bought me a 2011 Rav4 with low miles and I love the 3rd generation Rav’s!

Good Video, you don't put generic (lofi,cafe vibes,jazz whatever) music. You give factual information and don't try to hard. Good review overall

Got my 2010 Limited V6 4WD March 2022 at 98k miles! Runs strong!

Brillant review. Thank you for all the information. Very well presented.

Great video I got a 2009 with the 2.5 and I am super impressed with it. It's not as capable as my silverado but it's perfect for everyday driving year round here in canada with the weather we get.

Really solid video, thanks for making this.

Good information andvideoclips to show what youre talking about, bro nice work!

Make some more videos on this car I really support your channel and I like this RAV4 that you have .

I’ve done so much research when upgrading mine. I’ve fitted 235-70-R17 (Yokohama Geolanders GO15) on with no rubbing. Gives about a 1” lift

I think I have that same motor in my Avalon. The 3.5 is a beast and workhorse. Thanks for the video I was thinking of getting a RAV4 , we’ll see

Loved this video ! Best video, best insight.

I bought an 03 a couple of months ago,(awd),and I love it.I do uber eats and doordash,and wanted a little beefier suspension,while still getting reasonable mpg-this little suv is so perfect for my purposes,in so many ways,not the least of which,with routine maintenance,300k is very realistic

great vid. i have a 2011 v4 rav and i absolutely love it. its packed so much more value in it i didnt even realize. I just bought DeepSleep rav4 matresses that fit perfectly and am car camping with my fiance later this month. cant wait to raise it a smidge and maybe put spacers like you said. cheers

I loved the video. I actually want this gen RAV4 for over landing and driving the maintained forest roads and easy trails in Ocala National Forest near me. Thanks for the amazing and honest review.

Thanks for the video. I have always been a fan of Toyota and RAV4’s in particular. I am currently on my 3rd RAV4, a V6 Sport quite similar to your (mom’s) V6 limited, only with fewer bells and whistles. My previous ones were a 1997 RAV4 L FWD and a 2012 RAV4 L FWD (RAV2? 😂), both were great around town cars, but lacked power and a less heavier suspension when tackling “soft roading” or when fully loaded with passengers (4 adults) and camping gear for a weekend. They both would bottom out over light to moderate inclines (like my garage in my townhouse complex). Also I plan to tow a small camper or tent trailer and the V6 is rated to 3500-lb while the 4 cylinder is only rated to 1500-lb (the Canadian versions with the V6 also come standard with a transmission cooler where it was optional in the U.S.). I plan on using it as an overlander setup with a RT Tent. Your video was very informative on this vehicles capabilities and you answered a lot of questions I had about “RAVI” and I look forward to many years of adventure with him. One thing I would mention though is. Although this is a decent, reliable and somewhat rugged vehicle, it is not a 4Runner, FJ Cruiser or Land Cruiser. It will do fine on logging roads or gravel roads to the cabin/lake/fishing hole, but is not a full on, hill climbing 4X4. Under light off road conditions it will be fine, but even with its Toyota quality it will break under moderate to heavy off roading.

Thank you this is the proof I needed to justify buying this car, I'm just looking for the right price and milage but this is the model I'm looking for

Great little suvs...thanks for the video!

Very useful video. You just got a new subscriber

Nice video my man!

I love my 2,2 D-CAT. 270000km. Thank You for the video!

Put Falken Wildpeak tires on. You’ll notice a big difference on snow and ice. It’s a quiet all terrain tire. We live in the mountains and get 4-5 feet of snow every winter. We live in the country on a private road that we have to plow and maintain

Very good video.Thanks for your efforts.

I have a 2007 Rav4. Can you send a link to the radio/screen replacement you switched out? Will be great to Apple Car Play.

Well done, thanks for the review.

Good test. Lots of good info here..

Great review!

Really good review of this vehicle. I’m looking into getting one as they are very cheap right now. 🤙🤙

The vsc works best when moving at a normal tempo. Take care not to stop in difficult positions.

Hey! Stellar video, man! I am currently running a '03 camry 4cyl. I have been finding myself needing to traverse out of town more where during the winter roads are untreated, less even, etc. Hills are so steep power will just drop even when forced into L(1st). I definitely think this will be a solid upgrade, right? Especially for seemingly sub ~$10,000. After market stuff is pretty nice, too. I'll probably tinker with the suspension and tires. Add a ram bar for deer, better lights. I have seen people change the exhaust, and that v6 can sound mean!

I got 2007 XT5 which has a 2.0 petrol engine with 4 speed auto. I don't see many with this engine.

Used to have a 2011 Rav4 and traded it in for a '17 Highlander because we needed the space and towing capacity. What great cars though. Would buy another in a second if it suited my needs again.

I threw some blizzaks on mine and its unstoppable in the plowed but ever-present snow going to the snowboard resorts, even with that bush league AWD system. I used to wheel a lifted TJ Wrangler on MTs and its nothing like that rig. Interesting video premise. I wouldn't have considered trying this.

Great video!!

What a great car! Probably hard to get it stuck honestly, would love to try, hahahha! Cheers man.

In your testing, when you turned traction control off, are you including VSC in that statement or was that left on?

Great video. Subscribed.

Very happy with my 2007 v6 Sport, Its my first Toyota after having 2 Jeep Cherokees & a Liberty. I pull my 12ft boat and trailer with ease. I wish the 4x4 would stay engaged after 40 km/h for winter driving in Canada although I have adapted. Also I find it easy to work on when needed. I like the full size spare tire for inflation issues in the middle of nowhere when I'm camping or on long drives. Change the tire and worry about flat later. Well done with your video!

Hey make more V6 mocha content please! Especially the wheel refresh video I'd like to see cause I want to do my Own 2010 limited V6 rav4.

Wow, great review. We have stinkbugs here in Oregon too. Think they are from Asia. Cheers

you don't need wheel spacers per se. You just need to get wider wheels. I think stock wheels are 7 inches wide while you can get aftermarket 8 inches wide

Thank you for clarifying this some people said it was four wheel drive

The music is actually fire in this video haha

very well produced!

Purchased my 3.5L Limited in 2011 basically new with 7k miles. Love the car even though it's dated who cares cause 177k miles and still reliable (knock on wood). Only thing other than oil changes is new spark plugs and the heat shield came off but was able to macgyver it with a piece of sheet metal and worked great. I do all the oil changes myself and have only ever put in full syn. Only real repair I can remember is I believe a wheel bearing. Def a lot of rust but keeps on truckin! Only thing to note is if you put down the seats you can't really lie down because the seats don't fold flat; they're at an incline so not comfortable, but I suppose if you reeeeally needed to sleep in it, could adda bunch of padding to kinda even it out somehow. I also have the tow prep package, have towed a small trailer with it a bunch of times during a house move, put my 17' canoe on top of the car every year, have hauled SO much wood in there when I was building a lot of stuff in the new house. Really I think the perfect all around smaller family type suv of the era. Actually when I was looking at cars back then, it was the ONLY small SUV in my price range that had that type of acceleration so was a no brainer. And honestly with the acceleration on the 3.5, can still readily compete with a LOT of newer cars. It's a sleeper for sure.

12:44 - Well, in your opinion the 2.4L 4-cylinder 2AZ-FE is "junk", but on my 2008 RAV4 with 2.4L I have 260,000 miles already and still running. Yes, the only fault on these 2.4L 4-cylinder is the oil-consumption because of a bad design of the piston oil-rings which causes oil-consumption as they get clogged by carbon but the rest of the engine is very good quality built. What I do on my 2.4L 2AZ-FE is to periodically maintain the engine by cleaning the cylinders of the carbon build and by using professional cleaning chemicals in the engine oil(several flushes) to clean the engine inside and as much as possible to unclog the piston oil-rings. By doing that I have already beaten many other later released 2.5L engines that didn't last so long. I'm looking forward to 300,000 miles :-) who knows. The transmission is still running smooth. Will see.

Great review...Does anyone know what the rear upper left and right hole openings in the cargo area are for (these are the holes near the roof above the tonneau cover holes)...I've googled everywhere and cannot find the answer!

Still waiting for your drag race with your friend's Rav4 Prime "Redline Reviews" Curious how they compare ...

THANKS-- I'm looking at buying 2007 to 2012 RAV 4 (V-6) and going to modify it. (lift, exhaust, wheels/tires, and LOCKERS)..

I have a 09 RAv4 2.5L 4wd, and so far I love it! the JBL speakers are pretty nice. Mine didnt come with DAC, but I wonder I can add it. maybe behind the Blank there a plug

I’m considering getting one of these V6 RAV-4’s and was wondering how does it perform in the snow? I’ve seen mixed reviews on how good the 4WD/AWD system is.. is it comparable to a Subaru AWD system?

i have this exact car (2010 tho) and put a roof rack on it and SWEAR im bout to go somewhere hhahah

Great job Tks.

Do you think I could do soft reading or even some off roading with these even if I have the 2.4l version?

you make a good review i wish you had more road to drive on to push it a little further

Great video! What are the best off road mods that won’t hurt reliability, mine has 290k miles.

The first gen 4.3 rav4 2.4l/3.5l had their problems,2.4 with oil burning and the 3.5 with vvti chatter, timing chain cover leaks, and the dreaded vvti oil pressure line, which all those problems were fixed in 09/10 Plus they added the all desirable mpg gauge and traction control button

Do u think the V6 2wd versions will do any good soft roading?

It's NOT MEANT to be a min-4runner... not designed for that. It CAN offroad very well-- if lifted and put good offroad tires on it..and the v-6 is PLENTY of power for this.. and you can add an e-locker and make it a TRUE 4x4 on demand... and with the lift-- you're good to go.

What’s the middle button on the drivers left? I have a 2011 limited and don’t have that.

I just got a 2012 that looks exactly like this on Tuesday. Except mine's a 4 cylinder.

Cool video! i just put on a Billstein B8 1in lift and larger 245/65r17 AT tires giving the RAV 2in more ground clearance! We use it to explore and camp with the family and the stock suspension was not up to the task. Mini Prado is a better analogy IMO.

I would dare say the Rav4 platform is one of the best soft roaders you can buy. You have toyota reliability, good mpg, great on road handling, cheap to fix and buy parts and a very responsive awd system plus the advantage of a traditional auto trans and not a cvt. I have a 2016 with awd, i added a 2'' lift kit from northwoods and trail terrain tires, i have taken it to some pretty rough trails in baja, with the rear seats down, loaded with gear and it did great. I am not saying its a beast off road but if you have common sense the rav4 can take you places you didn't think it could, its the perfect easy to medium trail/camping rig.

11:26 I’ve never seen this model Rav4 with a 3rd Row seat. Please tell me where do they have those?

They’re great cars. IF you need to buy one Rav4 pick 2009 up none before this year. I love the v6 power but I’d prefer de 4 cylinder- just more fun and cheaper to fix

I have a 2010 RAV4 since new. I've dreamed about putting some AT tires, doing 2" lift and going off-roading someday. Then recently I had an opportunity to buy a used 2000 LandCruiser from a neighbor. I drove it to Colorado (No mods - stock), and went on the Engineer Pass.... My first time doing real off-roading... and DUDE... I was laughing at myself on the way up... the fact that I even had a remote thought... that I could do an off road trail like the Engineer pass with RAV4. No Way. Absolutely NO WAY. On the way down.. I realized that you need a Low range NOT only of the traction, but also for the engine brake... so that you can come down on the trail without riding your brake all way and burn, or have a brake fade and cause a major accident. Please DON'T take these RAV4's on off Roading. It's cute. But You will regret it within 10 minutes into the trail. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT take any of these City SUV's (Subarus BroncoSports CRVs RAV4s whatever) to a major off road trails just because it's got a 4WD and a "center lock" button. You will seriously damage your vehicle, or get stuck and be a major inconvenience or even a safety hazard to everyone else on the trail.

300,000K runs like a top!

I have a 2010 rav4 the only thing i dislike is to me it ride is rough min is not 4 wheel drive. It is very dependable my grand kids love it

You young guys are spoiled. Whilst this ride is not a Denali, or Lexus it’s pure luxury compared to the crap we had to drive in the 70’s -90’s.

The tires also make a huge difference when off-roading

You knocking on the window at the insect calling it a dick head just earned you a subscriber lol thanks for the laugh

What is this color considered?

nice review! Good job

So do u favor this rav4 over an outback with a v6 ?

Agreed! Worst seats I've ever had in the 30+ cars I've owned!

Good video! ..but no 4Runner, if you venture beyond a gravel road. There's just no substitute for a 2 speed transfer case and without a limited slip or a locker.. 👎🏼 If you stay on the road, I'd say the Rav4 is considerably better.. my $.02

i don't know if I would say the 2.4 is junk. I'd rather have the v6 in mine for sure, but my 2.4 is at almost 300,000 miles and literally 0 problems

The FJ is not the FJ40. I love my Rav4 but I have wanted an FJ40 since 1977. The FJ40 was a little monster and there was nothing "luxury" about it. It was created as an alternative to JEEP. On the other hand the Rav4 is a very satisfying smaller SUV.

It’s not proactive awd. It’s reactive.

I had the 4 cylinder it was the worst on snow .slow system Nothing better than a real 4x4

I just realize the base model 3rd gen Rav4 has the face of a Highlander and the Limited or Sport has the face of a Lexus. Of course, I know that Lexus and Toyota are both the same.

What year is that rav4

Wow that's a lot of torque. Even more than the 2.2 diesel which has 229 lb-ft.

Detailed video

Throw some all terrain tires on and it’ll be better

Whaaaat????????!!!!

Excellent presenter…needs a fashion consultant

if it had lsd it would do alot better offroad