With the launch of the new, sixth-generation Toyota RAV4, we explore the fifth iteration of Toyota’s popular midsize SUV as a second-hand buy.
With the new Toyota RAV4 having launched in South Africa, an inevitable retrospective spotlight is cast on the well-received previous-generation car as a solid second-hand buy. When this generation reached our market in mid-2019, it was not merely an incremental update; it was a fundamental architectural reset for the world’s best-selling SUV. Toyota recognised that the RAV4 had grown soft, risking its market share to increasingly sophisticated Korean and German rivals. Its response was a pivot towards greater mechanical robustness, more purposeful angular styling and, eventually, a powertrain solution that would go on to redefine the segment’s efficiency metrics.
At the core of the fifth generation’s transformation is Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform. Moving to this modular underpinning gave the RAV4 a 57% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the fourth generation. By lowering the centre of gravity and widening the track, Toyota also achieved a flatter cornering attitude without resorting to overly stiff, compromise-heavy suspension tuning. The front axle utilises a revised MacPherson strut design, while the rear benefits from a trailing-wishbone multilink setup. This configuration allows for up to 220 mm of ground clearance, all while preserving driving characteristics that feel both communicative and planted at motorway speeds.
Despite a marginal reduction in overall vehicle length compared to the fourth generation, the wheelbase was stretched by 30 mm to improve rear-seat access, and total cabin volume also increased. Boot space came in at a generous 408 litres with the rear seats in place. Elsewhere, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression is really good, but the dashboard architecture is unapologetically utilitarian.
While the initial infotainment systems felt slightly outdated, subsequent updates brought vital smartphone mirroring technologies up to modern standards. Crucially, the introduction of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) on higher-tier models introduced a suite of active safety features such as a pre-crash system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alert.
Browse used Toyota RAV4 models right here on CARmag
Initial models were powered by Toyota’s naturally aspirated ‘Dynamic Force’ four-cylinder engines. The entry-level 2.0-litre powerplant delivers 127 kW at 6 600 r/min and 203 N.m of torque at a relatively high 4 400 r/min. Toyota paired the 2.0-litre with a Direct Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT). Unlike traditional belt-driven CVTs that suffer from the dreaded “rubber-band” acceleration effect, this gearbox incorporates a physical first gear for cleaner off-the-line acceleration. For those requiring more punch, the 2.5-litre variant offered 152 kW and 243 N.m and was mated to a conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
The introduction of the RAV4 Hybrid, particularly the E-Four all- wheel-drive (AWD) derivative, altered the RAV4’s value proposition. The hybrid system pairs a specialised 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motor generators. In the E-Four models, an additional independent electric motor is mounted on the rear axle. This dual-motor setup yields a combined system output of 163 kW and a claimed total driving range of 1 146 km.
While the Toyota RAV4 is generally robust, prospective buyers should be aware of the technical vulnerabilities of this fifth-generation model. A high-voltage cable corrosion issue afflicts AWD hybrid models. Here, the wiring harness connector linking the rear electric motor is susceptible to moisture ingress and subsequent galvanic corrosion. If this cable fails, it necessitates the replacement of the entire harness if not caught early or mitigated by later factory shields. Earlier models (specifically 2019 and 2020) can also suffer from compromised roof rail seals, where the washers degrade rapidly, permitting water to bypass the mounting points, saturate the headliner, and channel down the A-pillars. This is a direct threat to the internal electronic control modules. Finally, hesitation or “gear hunting” on the CVT and eight-speed automatic transmissions are indicative of possible transmission control software discrepancies.
On our listings, there are several used RAV4 models available for under R400k. Check them out here.
