Scotty my girlfriend is interested in the newer Toyota RAV4's. We test drove a couple the other day to get a feel for them and found one we really liked. I was looking over the car specs and noticed it has a 4 cylinder 2.5 L engine. Is that a reliable motor for an SUV like that? I know that having too small of an engine can lead to vehicle issues so I wanted a second opinion before we pull the trigger on anything. All others we looked at also have the same 4 cylinder engine so I am also wondering if they even make the same car with a 6 cylinder or not. Thank you!
2018 is the newest Rav4 I would get.
2019 and up have CVTs I believe. (weaker)
2018 (last year of previous Gen) came with 6-speed AT; 2019-present (new generation) all came with the 8-speed AT; The eCVT came only on the hybrid versions.
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2019-rav4.pdf
https://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2021/rav4_ebrochure.pdf
thank you daywalker.
A family member test drove the 2019 and found the engine to be too loud. Didn't like it.
That engine in that application is fine. It also comes with the 8-speed AT (2019 model year and newer). Realize both the engine (2.5L I4 Dynamic Force Engine series) and transmission have only been in Toyota products since 2018 or so and long term reliability is unknown right now. So far they have been holding up with hardly any issues, but it’s still not clear long term what issues (if any) could crop up. Just be sure on these new Dynamic Force engines to change engine oil every 5,000 miles and not the 10,000 miles that Toyota specifies, to give the best chance to last longer.
