2013 Toyota RAV4

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Rating7.3

Ranked #8 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$23,300 - $28,410
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Good handling

Lackluster cabin feel

New updated styling

Spacious interiors

The infotainment system could be better

The V-6 engine is discontinued from the entire lineup

A long list of safety features

No third row of seats

Specs & Features

$24,700

price

176 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

172 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl AWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Toyota RAV4 is a known name in the crossover and SUV segment. The RAV4 has been completely redesigned for the year 2013 and looks better than ever. The sculpted sleek exterior and comfy interior with inviting materials are a trademark of the 2013 RAV4. Toyota has also tried to incorporate sufficient interior space, good performance, and the latest technology in the RAV4. 

Buying Advice

We think that the XLE trim is a well-balanced trim with respect to the features it offers and price. Most of the features of the Limited trim are available in the XLE trim barring some creature comforts. So, we would suggest going for the XLE trim and opt for available packages to further muscle up the XLE trim. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is available in three trims, namely the LE, XLE, and Limited. The price for the LE trim starts at $23,300 for the LE trim and goes up to $27,010 for the top-of-the-line Limited trim. The 2013 model marks the fourth generation of the well-built RAV4. It faces stiff competition from the likes of Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Ford Escape.

Features
8.0/10

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is available in three trims, namely the LE, XLE, and Limited. The updated 2013 model is well designed and offers better performance, interior space, tech features and the known reliability factor from the house of Toyota is also present. The three trims are well spaced with regard to available creature comforts and price. 

Trims 

LE

XLE

Limited 

MSRP

$23,300

$24,290

$27,010 

Key Features 

2.5L inline-four engine

Adds to upgrades to the LE trim

Adds to upgrades to the XLE trim

 

17-inch steel wheels 

17-inch alloy wheels

18-inch alloy wheels

 

Projector-beam headlights with auto-off feature

Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade

Adjustable power liftgate with jam protection

 

Automatic Limited-Slip Differential 

Integrated fog lights

Driver and front passenger heated seats

 

ECO and Sport Modes

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Smart Key System6 with Push Button Start

 

Soft-touch interior accents

French-stitching accents

SofTex-trimmed seating

 

Remote keyless entry system

Roof rails

Leather-trimmed steering wheel 

Which trim should you buy?

We think that the XLE trim is a well-balanced trim with respect to the features it offers and price. Most of the features of the Limited trim are available in the XLE trim barring some creature comforts. So, we would suggest going for the XLE trim and opt for available packages to further muscle up the XLE trim. 

Engine and Performance
6.0/10

The 2013 RAV4 is equipped with a smaller 2.5L inline-four engine and it produces about 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. The larger 3.5L V-6 engine has been discontinued by the manufacturer. The new engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and as expected, the performance is good from it. The 2013 RAV4 is available in FWD configuration with AWD being an optional feature. 

However, you’ll have to spend an extra $1400 for the same. The RAV4 offers decent acceleration and a 0-60 mph sprint is done in 8.2 seconds and a quarter-mile drag is done within 16.5 seconds. The figures aren’t exactly overwhelming but suffice well to your needs on a daily basis. The engine is also tuned for better fuel efficiency and it does offer it. 

Models

Toyota RAV4

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Santa Fe 

Ford Escape 

MSRP

$25,690

$28,795

$26,450

$25,070

Engine

2.5L I-4

2.4L I-4

2.4L I-4

1.6L I-4 

Drivetrain

All-wheel-drive

All-wheel-drive

All-wheel-drive

FWD

Transmission

6-speed automatic

5-speed automatic

6-speed automatic

6-speed automatic

Power

176 hp

185 hp

190 hp

173 hp 

Torque

172 lb-ft

163 lb-ft

181 lb-ft

184 lb-ft 

0-60 MPH (seconds)

8.2 seconds

9.9 seconds

9.2 seconds

8.5 seconds

Quarter mile (mph)

16.5 seconds

17.3 seconds

16.8 seconds

16.7 seconds

Top speed (mph)

123 MPH

125 MPH

120 MPH

139 MPH

The newer 2.5L engine is the biggest of the lot and produces a good amount of power. The Santa Fe offers better power output than its competitors. However, the same does not translate in its performance and it does a 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds. The Honda CR-V is the slowest in acceleration tests. The Ford Escape offers a similar performance as the RAV4, despite its smaller engine. 

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The 2013 RAV4 comes with a 2.5L engine and gives good fuel efficiency. It can travel up to 22 mpg, 29mpg, and 25mpg in the city, on the highway, and in mixed driving conditions respectively. It is equipped with a fuel tank of 15.9 gallons. On a full tank of gas, it can travel up to 350 miles, 461 miles, and 398 miles in the city, on the highway, and in mixed driving conditions respectively.

Models

Toyota RAV4

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Santa Fe 

Ford Escape 

MPG (city)

22

22

20

23

MPG (Highway)

29

30

26

;

33

MPG (Combined)

25

25

22

26

Fuel Capacity

15.9 gallons

15 gallons

17.4 gallons

15.1 gallons

Range (City/highway)

349.8/461.1 mi

336.6/459 mi

331/418

347/498

The Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe are equipped with smaller engines as compared to the RAV4 and yet they offer slightly lower fuel efficiency. However, the Santa Fe offers more firepower as compared to the competition. It is equipped with a larger fuel tank but owing to lower efficiency, it loses the range battle. The Ford Escape is more fuel-efficient, owing to a smaller engine capacity and lower output. It also gets a smaller fuel tank of 15.1 gallons and can travel 392 miles on a full tank of gas in combined conditions. 

Interior
8.0/10

The cabin of the 2013 RAV4 is sorted out well. The dashboard looks modern and works well with the infotainment system that is placed in its center. The vertical A/C vents in the center and rounded vents at the edges of the dashboard blend well and never look out of place. The central console is well within the range of both front passengers and offers a good amount of storage space. You also get better leg space for the second-row passengers as there is no third row to eat up the space.

As you climb up the trim ladder, the features like dual-zone climate control, heated front driver passenger seats, an adjustable power liftgate, SofTex trimmed upholstery, etc become a common sight. The seats are comfortable and provide good support. The rear row seats can recline and provide nearly 37-inches of legroom, making the journey of rear passengers more comfortable. The RAV4 also offers a cargo capacity of 38.4 cu-ft, beating its competition and being a more practical option.

Models

Toyota RAV4

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Santa Fe 

Ford Escape 

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.9/57.3/42.9

38/58.6/41.3

39.6/59.4/41.3

39.9/56.0/43.1

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.9/55.4/37.2

38.6/56.4/38.3

39.1/58.3/39.4

39.0/55.3/36.8

Cargo capacity to 2nd seat (cu.-ft)

38.4

37.2

35.4

34.3

All the cars offer seating for up to five passengers. The RAV4 offers decent headroom across both rows, but the Santa FE and Escape offer better headroom than it. The second-row leg space is also decent yet, falls short when compared with Honda CR-V and Santa Fe. The CR-V comes with the second-best cargo capacity, followed by Santa Fe and Escape. Some of the standout interior features of the 2013 RAV4 are:

  • Soft-touch interior accents
  • Remote keyless entry system
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control (XLE and Limited)
  • French-stitching accents (XLE)
  • SofTex-trimmed seating (Limited)
  • Driver and front passenger heated seats (Limited)

How intuitive is the 2013 RAV4’s infotainment system?

The 2013 RAV4 infotainment system is equipped with Toyota’s own Entune interface. It is equipped with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, rearview camera, and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. As you move above in the trim hierarchy you get an optional navigation system and SiriusXM radio with a 3-month complimentary trial period. For all the trims, you get a six-speaker audio system as standard. However, you can also opt for the JBL music system with 11-speakers for higher output and better musical experience. Some of the standout infotainment features of the 2013 RAV4 are:

  • 6.1-in. Touch-screen
  • Integrated backup camera
  • 6-speaker audio system
  • SiriusXM Radio (optional)
  • Navigation (optional)
  • JBL audio system (optional)

Exterior
7.0/10

The 2013 RAV4 styling has been revamped by Toyota and we are glad to say that it looks good from any angle you look at it. Also, the current RAV4 looks more muscular and is based on Toyota’s new product portfolio strategies. The front fascia imbibes sleek headlamps and a smaller grille with the Toyota logo on it. 

The front bumper makes use of extensive black cladding and dual fog lamps sit well in the front bumper. The side profile is minimalistic and the sloping roofline along with roof rails on it looks rugged. The rear profile is also good and the sharp tail lights just accentuate the whole look. The roof-mounted spoiler grants it a sporty appeal.

Models

Toyota RAV4

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Santa Fe 

Ford Escape 

Curb Weight (lbs)

3585

3480

3706

3190

Length (in.)

179.9

178.3

184.6

178.1

Width (in.)

72.6

71.6

74

72.4

Height (in.)

67.1

65.1

66.5

66.3

Ground Clearance (in.)

6.3

6.7

N/A

7.9

Wheelbase (in.)

104.7

103.1

106.3

105.9

The RAV4 gets a more balanced set of exterior dimensions, including curb weight. It’s not on the lighter side of the heavier side as compared to the rivals. It just sits in the middle. The Hyundai Santa Fe is the bulkier SUV of the lot. The RAV4 gets a ground clearance of 6.3-inches which is good and sufficient on most roads. The Ford Escape gets a higher ground clearance of 7.9-inches and makes it a more capable off-roader SUV. Some of the standout exterior features of the 2013 RAV4 are:

  • Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade
  • Integrated fog lights
  • Roof rails
  • Projector-beam headlights with auto on/off feature
  • Roof spoiler
  • Privacy glass
  • Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield

Safety
7.0/10

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is equipped with many active and passive safety features to ensure your safety. The NHTSA has given the RAV4 an overall 4-star safety rating in various crash tests done by it. Irrespective of the trim you select, you get the Star Safety System as standard which includes a suite of different features like vehicle stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, brake assist, and smart start stop technology. As you climb the trim ladder, many driver assistance features get added to the safety list. Some of the standout safety features of the 2013 RAV4 are:

  • Optional Blind spot monitoring
  • Optional Rear-cross traffic alert 
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Brake assist 
  • LATCH system 

Final Verdict

The Toyota RAV4 has always been a very consistent and versatile performer from the house of Toyota. With a revamped styling for the model, the deal even becomes sweeter. The infotainment system functions well for most part and availability of many safety features as standard makes the RAV4 stand out in the crowded crossover market. Also, being a Toyota vehicle, reliability and well-built quality comes without any additional cost. We won’t be shy of recommending the RAV4 to many potential buyers, looking for a crossover vehicle with good styling and practicality. 

Trims

    LE
    $23,300 onwards
    • 17-inch steel Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Parking assist
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    XLE
    $24,290 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated mirrors
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    Limited
    $27,010 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Leatherette Seat trim

Compare to similar cars

Price

$24,225- $32,735

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.86

Horsepower

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

Torque

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$22,295- $34,295

Gasoline

6.98

285 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

Read Review

$22,470- $32,120

Gasoline

7.75

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

170 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,695- $28,595

Gasoline

7.13

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

167 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,700- $35,100

Gasoline

7.73

190 hp @ 6300 rpm

181 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,320- $39,420

Gasoline

7.85

273 hp @ 6200 rpm

251 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,695- $28,295

Gasoline

7.58

155 hp @ 6000 rpm

150 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,155- $29,615

Gasoline

7.82

180 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,795- $30,295

Gasoline

7.31

185 hp @ 7000 rpm

163 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$27,700- $39,150

Gasoline

7.73

285 hp @ 6500 rpm

253 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2013 Toyota RAV4 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.2 sec16.6 sec113 mph
    6.7 sec13.2 sec122 mph
    6.8 sec15.4 sec122 mph
    6.9 sec--
    7.3 sec15.6 sec-
    7.3 sec15.5 sec-

    2013 Toyota RAV4 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      24 mpg31 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.381.6/492.9 mi.
      26 mpg35 mpg29 mpg14.8 gal.384.8/518 mi.
      25 mpg33 mpg28 mpg14 gal.350/462 mi.
      23 mpg30 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.365.7/477 mi.
      22 mpg30 mpg26 mpg13.6 gal.312.8/408 mi.Jeep USA
      22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg18 gal.396/576 mi.

      2013 Toyota RAV4 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        179.9 in.72.6 in.65.4 in.6.3 in.104.7 in.
        189.9 in.74.1 in.67 in.7.4 in.111.2 in.
        189.8 in.76.5 in.69.3 in.8.6 in.114.8 in.Jeep USA
        189 in.71.7 in.66.1 in.8.7 in.107.9 in.
        187.8 in.72.5 in.66.3 in.6.9 in.112.5 in.
        187.8 in.74.2 in.67.7 in.7.3 in.107.9 in.

        2013 Toyota RAV4 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          38.4 cu.ft.101.9 cu.ft.73.4 cu.ft.
          31.6 cu.ft.108.6 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.
          34.3 cu.ft.98.1 cu.ft.68.1 cu.ft.
          32.2 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.68.9 cu.ft.
          40 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.
          37 cu.ft.142.5 cu.ft.72.5 cu.ft.

          2013 Toyota RAV4 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            73.4 cu.ft.38.4 cu.ft.73.4 cu.ft.-
            4 cu.ft.37.2 cu.ft.70.9 cu.ft.-
            70.8 cu.ft.28.4 cu.ft.70.8 cu.ft.-
            10.6 cu.ft.34.1 cu.ft.64.8 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.32.2 cu.ft.68.9 cu.ft.98 ft.
            71.3 cu.ft.34.3 cu.ft.71.3 cu.ft.-

            2013 Toyota RAV4 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.900 lbs.3435 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1058 lbs.4148 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1065 lbs.3190 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1324 lbs.4056 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1165 lbs.3889 lbs.
              3500 lbs.2030 lbs.4533 lbs.Jeep USA

              2013 Toyota RAV4 SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              251

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2013 Toyota RAV4 User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              KS

              Kaitlyn Souza

              2013 Toyota RAV4

              LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 3, 2024

              Good car for work and everyday stuff not good for far travel

              Pros - ["Compact suv", "Great milage", "Holds its value"]

              Cons - ["Weak exterior", "Alignment goes out quick", "High maintenance"]

              Its a good car it has some faults but I bought it brand new and its still running and the oil does need changed often but other than that it is a good starter car and good for short travel but not good for offroad or state to state

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review