2020 Toyota RAV4 • 75,000 miles later - Must Watch before buying/Long Term ownership Review

This video is based on our 3 and 1/2 year ownership of a 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE.
Super reliable and economical for a small SUV.
There’s been lots of highlights but unfortunately some unfortunate lows.
Please share your stories or your experiences down below.

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As always thank you for watching, I truly appreciate all your support.
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Cheers!

#rav4 #toyotarav4 #5thgenrav4 #carreview #carrepairs #ownershipreview #mustwatch

[EverydayJ]

If you take anything away from this video it's never buy the first year of a redesigned vehicle .... My 2021 RAV4 has been flawless . None of the issues stated in this video .

[pedroaquezada]

95k miles on my wife’s 2020 rav (canadian).

-oil & filter change (0w-16) every 5k miles.
-did the spark plugs and brake pads at 80k.
-did transmission fluid at 50k, doing it at 100k again.
-original battery failed at 30k.
-bypass coolant valve failed at 90k. paid $90 for it on eBay and replaced myself.

other than the bypass valve, no problems so far, is been a great car. always getting between 31-34 MPG.

[jackgonzalez]

I own a Rav4 2021 AWD gas engine., 65k miles. Oil change every 5k miles, still original tires; front brakes just done; 3 years old battery replaced at 63k miles; both differential fluids replaced at 30K miles, about to change transmission oil. it does 27mpg in the city and 35 mpg in Hwy@ 75mph. To be honest, I've driven throughout 35 states with this vehicle and never had any of the issues he says in this video. This is my 4th Toyota; All of then have been trouble free and super reliable and easy to maintain.

[MrsRuiNas]

Hi Viking im from Portugal and i also bought a rav4 2020 but hybrid awd. I´m super happy with mine with 70000+ km. Never gave me any problem for now. keep up the good work

[beeslandscaping]

Never let your fuel level run low. Keep doing it and burn out the fuel pump.

[jonhansen]

Great review, Paul. I stumbled across it while surfing through YT. It makes me even more confident in the purchase of our first ever Toyota, a '23 RAV4 Limited hybrid which has been flawless so far. I changed oil for the second time a couple days ago @ 4, 940 miles & will take the 90 mile trip to our dealer tomorrow for it's 5K mile checkup. So far it's looking to be one of the best vehicles we've owned over the past 55 years. Keep up the great work! I just subscribed & am looking forward to more vids from you.

[SS-ltmh]

We just replaced the rear brakes in our 2011 Corolla at 180, 000 miles. I have been driving Toyotas since 1979z

[secondchance]

I own a 2022 RAV4. This is my second Toyota - I used to own a 2012 highlander, which I had for 8 years, with 0 problems. The RAV4 has low miles at 15k and has been getting oil changes less than 5k miles so far.

- I have already had the roof molding fail and replaced under warranty,

- The coolant keeps spilling out from the overflow reservoir - I have now taken it to the dealership 3 times and every time they inform me that they have not found any issue and top off the coolant. I have noticed that the coolant reaches the low mark every few months.

- The transfer case seal failed recently and I have fluid leaking. I am yet to get that fixed because the dealership did not have the part in stock.

Overall, it has not met the expectations I had from my pervious experience and I hope that I do not encounter any new major problems outside warranty.

[Jerrylumdegaard]

My ‘21 has been flawless. Currently at 65k mikes. Just fluid and filter changes - still running the original brakes.

[jeffphillips]

Steering wheel peel ...possibly a reaction from lotion/sunscreen/hand sanitizer. Had a jeep that had exactly that type peeling and it was from sunscreen .

[reaality]

My 2022 RAV4 hybrid has 10k miles and has been flawless. Not built until November 2022, the mid-term refresh fixed all the problems mentioned. I love my RAV4.

[zanderkeith]

Thank you dude. Please keep posting. Our recent purchase of XLE Premium Hybrid has been flawless so far and drives us like a charm.

[richardepstein]

If the tires are wearing evenly, why pay for alignment?

[dEmil]

I'm in Canada and have Toyota Avalon 95 which is now 29 years old car at over 500K km (310K miles). The steering wheel never ripped or peeled but it got badly stained mostly in the last few years because I started to use a lot of hand disinfectants, sprays and creams which I also applied directly on the steering wheel after service people used my car. Last year I bought RAV4 2022 and my first thought for add-ons was a steering wheel cover but since it's heated I'm still hesitant because it may slow down the warming.
Comparing to the build of 95 Avalon when new, the 2022 RAV4 feels really cheap, everything looks much more fragile. When I shared this with my mechanic he said, now nobody will build cars to last like your 95 Avalon.

[BIGLOVETRUTH]

I have a 2020 Rav 4 hybrid limited with most options. 50, 000 miles. Mostly normal maintenance issues. The man made “leather” wears like iron. Had a couple of warranty issues-mirrors bracing was replaced and the windshield trim-all covered when under warranty. Best vehicle we’ve ever owned.

[jonluis]

The bottom line is that modern cars are pretty complicated beasts. Being such, they WILL have some issues. As a retired master tech myself, I am surprised that they don't have more problems than they do.
We own all hybrids. A 2017 Prius with 146K, a 2020 RAV4 XSE hybrid with 43K, and a 2022 Maverick hybrid with 22K. None of them have had any major issues at all. The Prius has had 1 complete set of brakes done at 73 K miles, and is on the 3rd set of tires. The RAV4 has just had the first set of tires. The only repairs I have made are normal wear and maintenance. We are keeping the Prius for now as a commuter vehicle. It is getting 61.1 MPG. The RAV4 gets 42.2, 5h3 Mav is similar at 44.
In all my years I have never seen a hybrid battery in need of replacement so I have no real concerns. I did, out of curiosity, find a place that does refurbish them. They quoted just under $3K for that with a 50K mile warranty should I ever need it. I can certainly live with that.
Overall I am very pleased with the service I have gotten out of all my hybrids.

[yamilaespinosasantisteban]

Hi!
Great job, excellent video. Very objective analysis from your personal experience. I am about to buy the 2024 RAV 4 XLE and I feel very confident now. Hope it will give me more happy moments than problems! Thanks a lot!

[scotttan]

Great tips and help !
-- DCM firmware - have the latest updates
--- High pressure fuel pump Customer Support Program 23TE01
--- Coolant ByPass valve common failure
--- Roof rail leak into the care on certain models

A lot a positive comments on the RAV4 .

Peeling steering wheel cover could be due to frequent use of the heated steering wheel causing premature wear

[vmgf]

Just a perspective: if you don't do an alignment every year, you will save $100+ dollars per year, so after 3-4 years of not doing alignments, you have close to enough money to buy a set of new tires.
I thank you for the informative and in-depth review. I'm a subscriber now, so just know that I'm not arguing, just pointing out something that might save some people some cash, if they don't have much money to spend.

[kiyomi_]

Thank you for the video. I had a 2020 RAV4 Limited but traded it in this year for a 2023 4Runner Limited. I loved my RAV4...but I absolutely love my 4Runner even more if that's possible! I do miss some of the things on the RAV4 though, like the rain sensing wipers and the power lift gate. However, a person can't go wrong with either one!