What are the dimensions of the Toyota RAV4?

Short answer: The latest Toyota RAV4 is about 181.5 inches long, 73 inches wide, and around 66 inches tall, with a wheelbase near 105.9 inches. Exact figures vary by model year and trim.

Dimensions influence how the SUV fits in your garage or parking space, as well as how much room you’ll have for passengers and cargo. The figures below reflect the current generation commonly sold in the United States and show typical exterior measurements plus interior and cargo capacity. Where numbers vary, ranges are provided.

Exterior dimensions

These figures describe the outer size and footprint you’ll encounter in typical RAV4 configurations. They affect parking, highway presence, and overall maneuverability.

• Length: about 181.5–181.7 inches (approximately 461 cm).


• Width: about 73.0 inches (approximately 186 cm) excluding mirrors.


• Height: approximately 65.5–66.5 inches (about 166–169 cm), depending on trim and roof equipment.


• Wheelbase: 105.9 inches (approximately 269 cm).


• Ground clearance: around 8.4 inches (about 21 cm) on most trims.

Note: Exterior dimensions can vary by market, year, and optional equipment such as roof racks or spoilers, so check the specific figure for your exact vehicle.

Notes by model year

Where you shop matters: dimensional data can differ slightly between model years, trims, and regional specifications. The numbers above reflect the current U.S. market configuration for the latest generation through the 2024–2025 model years.

Interior space and cargo capacity

The internal space measurements describe how the cabin accommodates passengers and cargo in day-to-day use and during trips with gear on board.

• Cargo volume with rear seats up: 37.6 cubic feet (about 1,064 liters).


• Cargo volume with rear seats folded: 69.8 cubic feet (about 1,977 liters).


• Passenger volume: about 98–100 cubic feet (roughly 2,770–2,830 liters) of total cabin space.

These interior figures help quantify how the RAV4 handles groceries, sports equipment, luggage, and everyday family gear when configured for passengers or for maximum cargo.

Model-year variability

Exact numbers can vary slightly by year, trim level, and regional market. The values provided here reflect the most commonly cited figures for the current generation available in the United States as of 2024–2025.

Summary

The Toyota RAV4 sits in the compact SUV segment with a footprint around 181–182 inches long, 73 inches wide, and roughly 66 inches tall, a wheelbase near 106 inches, and practical interior/cargo space that ranges from about 37.6 cubic feet of cargo with seats up to 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded. For planning purchases or trips, verify the exact specifications for your model year and trim, as figures can shift with updates and market variants.

What is the weakness of the Toyota RAV4?

Common cons of the Toyota RAV4 include a noisy engine, rough ride quality, and a cheap-feeling interior with hard plastics. Other issues reported by consumers and reviewers are sluggish acceleration, vague steering, and poor sound insulation. Certain model years have also been linked to specific problems like power liftgate hinges or oil consumption. 
Performance and handling

• Noisy and underpowered engine: The four-cylinder engine is often described as noisy and underpowered, particularly during acceleration to cruising speed. 
• Hesitant transmission: Some drivers report the transmission can be sluggish or hunt for the right gear, especially in non-hybrid models. 
• Vague steering: The steering can feel imprecise and lacks feedback, which can make the drive feel disconnected. 

Ride and comfort

• Rough ride: The ride quality is often criticized for being harsh and transmitting too much from road imperfections into the cabin. 
• Poor sound insulation: Significant road and wind noise can enter the cabin, making highway driving less pleasant. 
• Uncomfortable seats: Some reviews mention the seats lack comfort, especially for long drives, and the lumbar support is inadequate. 

Interior and features

• Cheap interior materials: The interior is frequently criticized for using hard plastics and feeling outdated for its price point. 
• Ill-placed controls: Some controls, such as those for lights and windows, are not illuminated, making them hard to find in the dark. 
• Outdated infotainment: The infotainment system is sometimes described as small and slow, with dated graphics. 

Other issues

• Potential reliability problems: Some specific years have been associated with issues like excessive oil consumption, fuel system problems, and potential battery drain or degradation. 
• Liftgate issues: A lawsuit has been filed regarding allegedly defective power liftgate hinges in certain model years. 
• Updated model coming: The 2026 model year is expected to be redesigned, which may make the current version feel outdated by comparison. 

What year of RAV4 to stay away from?

Years to avoid for the Toyota RAV4 include 2001-2003 (transmission and ECM issues), 2006-2008 (excessive oil consumption), 2013-2015 (transmission hesitation and rough shifting), and 2019 (fuel pump failures, engine cooling problems, and engine issues). Additionally, hybrid models from the 5th generation may have issues with high-voltage cable corrosion and battery life, and some models can have paint peeling problems, especially around 2013. 
By model year 
This video explains the issues with the 2006-2008 model years: 1mCar ComfyYouTube · Jun 11, 2025

• 2001-2003: Potential for transmission and Electronic Control Module (ECM) failures. 
• 2006-2008: Excessive oil consumption, particularly with the 2.4L engine, and potential steering lockups. 
• 2013: Reports of transmission hesitation, electrical fires, and paint peeling. 
• 2014-2015: Transmission hesitation and rough shifting were common issues. 
• 2019: Engine problems like oil leaks, cooling issues, and fuel pump failures were reported. Hybrid models also experienced issues with corroded high-voltage wiring. 

By type of problem

• Transmission issues: 2001-2003, 2006-2008, 2009-2012, 2013-2015, and 2018 models have been associated with transmission problems. 
• Engine/oil consumption: 2006-2008 models are known for excessive oil consumption, and 2019 models reported engine cooling and oil loss problems. 
• Electrical issues: 2013 models have been linked to electrical fires, and 2019 models had infotainment glitches (which were often resolved by software updates). 
• Hybrid-specific issues: Some 5th generation hybrid models have had issues with high-voltage cable corrosion and battery longevity. 
• Other issues:
  • Paint peeling: Some owners of the 2013 model reported paint issues. 
  • Roof rack leaks: 2019-2021 models have been linked to leaky roof racks. 

What is the lawsuit against the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota Liftgate Hinge lawsuit centers on allegations of defective power liftgate hinges in 2014–2021 Toyota RAV4 models. Plaintiffs claim the hinges lack the strength needed to handle the liftgate's weight and force during operation, leading to premature failure.

What's the most common problem with a Toyota RAV4?

Common problems with the Toyota RAV4 include issues with the automatic transmission in older models, engine oil consumption in some four-cylinder engines, and various electrical faults like infotainment screen freezes or 12-volt battery drains. Additionally, recent models have seen reports of hybrid floor wire corrosion, and some specific model years have experienced issues like front suspension arm cracks, faulty fuel pumps, or liftgate hinge failures. 
This video discusses common problems with the Toyota RAV4, including transmission, engine, and electrical issues: 52sFuel ForceYouTube · Nov 16, 2024
Common problems by category 
This video explains how to avoid common mistakes when driving a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which can affect its performance and efficiency: 56sToyota WorldYouTube · Jul 3, 2025
Transmission

• Older models: Rough or jerky shifting due to a computer-transmission communication issue. 
• Higher mileage: Rough shifting, delayed engagement, and grinding noises in 8-speed automatic transmissions. 
• Other issues: Faulty solenoids that prevent the transmission from engaging certain gears. 

Engine 

• Oil consumption: Some four-cylinder engines are known to burn excessive oil, requiring more frequent top-offs. 
• Stalling: Intermittent stalling or rough running, sometimes linked to fuel system problems. 
• Fuel pump failure: Diagnostic codes like P0171 (System Too Lean) often point to a failing fuel pump, which can cause stalling and disengage the all-wheel drive. 
• Coolant bypass valve defect: Some models may experience overheating and stalling due to a faulty bypass valve. 

Electrical

• Infotainment system: Frozen screens and other malfunctions are reported. 
• Battery drain: Unexpected draining of the 12-volt battery, sometimes requiring firmware or hardware updates. 
• Sensor faults: Sporadic sensor issues have been noted. 
• Lane-assist malfunction: Some vehicles experience unexpected swerving or jerking due to faulty lane-assist systems. 

Other issues

• Brake squeal: Light-to-moderate brake squeal has been reported on some recent model years. 
• Suspension: Older models have had rear suspension hardware issues that can affect alignment. 
• Hybrid floor wire corrosion: Some hybrid models have a problem with the wiring harness under the floor corroding, which can cause radio issues and requires replacement. 
• Fuel tank: Certain models have a defect where the fuel pump clicks off early, preventing the tank from filling completely. 
• Liftgate hinge: Lawsuits have been filed regarding premature failure of power liftgate hinges on some 2014–2021 models. 

You can watch this video to see what goes wrong with used Toyota RAV4s: 56sEveryman DriverYouTube · Jun 9, 2025