10 Toyota Rav4 Statistics You Should Know (Facts & Numbers)

One of Toyota’s bestselling SUVs, the Rav4, is considered the pioneer of the crossover [compact] SUV segment.

The Rav4 combines qualities of an SUV and a compact car, offering owners the best of both worlds. Whether you’re daily driving or going for an off-road adventure, you cannot go wrong with the Rav4.

Are you interested in purchasing one of these awesome vehicles?

We’ve curated important statistics about the Rav4 models for you to consider before buying.

Let’s get right into it!

Table of Contents

Check also our full review of the RAV4 here.

How Many Toyota Rav4s Have Been Sold Per Year In The US?

Since its release in 1996, the Toyota Rav4 has become a cult favorite among car buyers in the U.S.

Toyota sold a little under 60,000 Rav4 models in the first year of its release. That number has grown exponentially in recent years. In fact, Toyota has sold, on average, 400,000 models in the last three years.

The incredible sales performance of the Rav4 has seen it become the bestselling crossover SUV in the U.S. It is also the overall market leader in the SUV segment and is America’s fourth highest-selling vehicle.

You can check the SUV owner demographics here.

Only the Big Three pickups [Ford F-Series, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado] sold more than the Rav4 in 2019.

The table below shows the annual U.S sales figures for the Rav4:

Model	No. of Models Sold
2019	448,068
2018	427,168
2017	407,594
2016	352,139
2015	315,412
2014	267,698
2013	218,249
2012	171,875
2011	132,237
2010	170,877
2009	149,088
2008	137,020
2007	172,752
2006	152,047
2005	70,518
2004	70,314
2003	73,204
2002	86,601
2001	86,368
2000	53,777
1999	57,138
1998	64,990
1997	67,487
1996	56,709

What Year Did Toyota Start The Rav4 Models?

Toyota released the Rav4 in 1995, although it didn’t appear on the American market until 1996.

It was the first SUV built on a unibody platform, effectively creating the crossover SUV segment.

A classic favorite, the Rav4 has remained in production till date, a period spanning 23 years. The Rav4 model family has undergone major changes within that time.

Most notably, a hybrid variant was added to the lineup in 2014.

As a result of the different redesigns, Rav4 models are now grouped under four generations:

1996-2000 [First generation]
2001-2005 [Second generation]
2006-2012 [Third generation]
2013-present [Fourth generation]

How Is The Fuel Economy On Toyota Rav4?

In terms of fuel economy, the Rav4 is one of the best vehicles in the compact SUV segment.

You can get up to 40 mpg on the RAV4 models. Check our rundown of how the fuel economy on the RAV4 hybrids.

It boasts superior gas mileage and you won’t have to spend much on buying fuel. Even in All-Wheel Drive mode, the Rav4’s fuel consumption is surprisingly modest.

Within the lineup, the hybrid variants save fuel better than their gasoline-powered siblings.

This doesn’t mean the regular Rav4 models are fuel-thirsty vehicles as they offer good gas mileage too.

How Quickly Do Toyota Rav4 Depreciate?

With the high numbers of Rav4 models sold yearly, one would expect low resale values for used models.

However, the contrary is the case for the Rav4. Even as more people buy Rav4s yearly, demand remains stronger than ever. As such, pre-owned models command good prices on the used-car market.

According to research, the average Rav4 will retain 56.5% of its value after the first five years of use. This makes for an average five-year depreciation rate of 43.5%.

With such figures, it is no surprise that iSeeCars adjudged the Rav4 the lowest-depreciating vehicle in the compact SUV segment.

Did Toyota Recall Any Of The Toyota Rav4 Models?

As we all know, no vehicle is perfect or without flaws.

Although the Rav4 has a track record of quality and reliability, it has had some problems over the years.

Some of Rav4 problems have required Toyota to recall thousands of Rav4 models. The Rav4 has been recalled a total of 38 times in its 23-year history.

Below is a table showing recall numbers for every model year since 1996:

Model Year	No. of times recalled
2019	4
2018	1
2017	1
2016	2
2015	3
2014	3
2013	1
2012	5
2011	11
2010	14
2009	15
2008	14
2007	14
2006	11
2005	4
2004	1
2003	–
2002	–
2001	–
2000	2
1999	4
1998	4
1997	1
1996	1

How Much Do the Rav4 Models Pollute?

With its impressive fuel efficiency, the Rav4’s position as one of the greenest cars in Toyota’s lineup isn’t surprising.

The gas-powered models, while having higher emissions, don’t do badly in terms of environmental impact. However, the hybrid Rav4 model performs exceptionally well in that regard.

Many experts consider the Rav4 one of the most environment-friendly Toyota vehicles on the market.

GreenCars.org, in its ranking of the greenest vehicles, ranks the Rav4 the third-best compact SUV with the lowest gas emissions. Only Subaru’s Crosstek Hybrid and Hyundai’s Kona Electric Vehicle are more environmentally friendly.

You can get an idea of the pollution of the Rav4 models by looking through the table below:

Model	CO2 Emissions	Emissions Score
Rav4 Hybrid AWD 2.5 L (V-4)	223 grams per mile	9/10
Rav4 2.5 L (V-4)	290 grams per mile	7/10
Rav4 AWD LE 2.5 L (V-4)	296 grams per mile	7/10
Rav4 AWD 2.5 L (V-4)	301 grams per mile	7/10
Rav4 AWD TRD OFFROAD 2.5 L (V4)	321 grams per mile	6/10
Rav4 2.5 L (V-4)	301 grams per mile	7/10
Rav4 AWD 2.5 L (V-4)	315 grams per mile	6/10

How Much Can the Rav4 Models Tow?

For a compact SUV, the Rav4’s towing ability is commendable.

Maximum towing capacities vary on the models, though.

Base models haul up to 1, 500 lbs., while upgrading to the AWD-equipped trims nets a 2,000 lbs. increase in maximum towing capacity.

Hybrid models don’t do badly either, towing up to 1,750 pounds of load.

Read more here about the towing capacity of RAV4 SUVs.

How Reliable Are Toyota Rav4s?

Practical, great on gas, and suitable for off-road adventures, you have many reasons to choose a Rav4.

But maybe those factors aren’t top of your checklist for buying a vehicle.

You’re more concerned with buying a vehicle that won’t leave you on the roadside every time.

Are Rav4s Reliable?

According to industry data, the Rav4 scores high in terms of reliability.

While the model has faced recalls, it remains one of the most dependable compact SUVs on the market.

The Rav4 is the third most reliable compact SUV, according to RepairPal. This ranking was based on RepairPal’s reliability test, where the Rav4 received 4/5 rating.

J.D. Power also ranked the Rav4 highly in terms of long-term reliability. The Rav4 placed third in the compact SUV category in the 2020 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.

How Safe Are Toyota Rav4s?

If safety is a big consideration, the Rav4 is the perfect vehicle for you.

The 2020 model is designated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also earned a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2020 model comes equipped with safety technologies to satisfy even the most safety-minded drivers.

Features include Lane Departure Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System (with Pedestrian Detection), anti-lock braking (ABS), and many others.

What Is the Typical Buyer Demographic for This Model?

From our findings, women seem to buy the Rav4 more than men.

We also discovered that the average Rav4 buyer is usually around 57 years old. Rav4 owners earn less than the average compact SUV buyer, though, with a median annual income of $86,818.

For Rav4 buyers, build quality, dependability, and cost are major factors considered when buying cars. They are also willing to pay a premium for vehicles with high safety and good fuel economy.

Many Rav4 buyers are also environmentally conscious, and will pay top dollars for a vehicle with a low carbon footprint.

Toyota Rav4s Theft Numbers

Although the Rav4 is one of the most-sold vehicles in America, it doesn’t get stolen as much as other vehicles.

Compared to other bestselling vehicles such as the Ford F-Series or the Ram 1500 truck, the Rav4 has lower annual theft rates.

However, this doesn’t mean your Rav4 cannot be stolen, especially if you don’t secure it properly. Popular vehicles like the Rav4 are often attractive targets for thieves.

Spare parts for these models tend to be in high demand and thieves can chop a stolen Rav4 and sell parts to unsuspecting buyers.

We’ve compiled a list of annual theft rates for the Rav4 model extending from 1996 through 2014.

These numbers are based on statistics from the NHTSA Vehicle Theft Database:

Year	Total No. Of Thefts
1996	81
1997	154
1998	93
1999	109
2000	103
2001	172
2002	212
2003	100
2004	62
2005	75
2006	94
2007	145
2008	150
2009	79
2010	89
2011	100
2012	62
2013	71
2014	71