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2013 Toyota RAV4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Toyota RAV4
Pictured: 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium in Silver Sky with Midnight Black roof, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
Le AWD 4dr SUV, Le FWD 4dr SUV, Xle FWD 4dr SUV, Xle/Limited AWD 4dr SUV
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Horsepower
176 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
EV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 23 city / 30 hwy
EV range
103 mi · 6 h on 240 V
Length
179.5 in
Curb weight
3,406–3,561 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,527 lb (Le AWD 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 30 highway), 13% better than the 2013 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $1,000 a year in fuel.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 103 miles and takes about 6 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2013

  • Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 24 to 26

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 RAV4 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine176 hp2.5L 4-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

HighStandardSports

Built in: Woodstock, Ontario

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2013 RAV4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Le AWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in65.4 in104.7 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,527 lb58/42
Le FWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in65.4 in104.7 in61.4 / 61.4 in3,406 lb58/42
Xle FWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in67.3 in104.7 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,439 lb58/42
Xle/Limited AWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in67.3 in104.7 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,561 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RAV4 EV EV115 kW AC InductionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive103 mi · 44 kWh/100mi–$1,000–
RAV4 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26+13%$2,600338
RAV4 AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 25+17%$2,700357
RAV4 Limited AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25+17%$2,700358
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $7,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23 MPG2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Toyota RAV4.

Similar 2013 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Toyota RAV4 (this car)26 MPGNot rated5
2013 Honda CR-V26 MPGNot rated2
2013 Hyundai Tucson25 MPGNot rated3
2013 Subaru Forester23 MPGNot rated12
2013 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated1
2013 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated3
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan23 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (5)

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery · Nov 1, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V734000 · 1,853,568 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
Risk
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other · Feb 19, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V096000 · 1,123,752 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Risk
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Visibility/Wiper · Sep 18, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V577000 · 423,456 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Risk
Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
Hybrid Propulsion System · Mar 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V143000 · 2,497 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Trailer Hitches · Jan 16, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V011000 · 1,140 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Risk
If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Toyota RAV4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

192Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
14Involved a crash
28Involved a fire
10Injuries reported
45,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System47
Unknown Or Other38
Engine24
Power Train22
Structure › Body18
Service Brakes17
Vehicle Speed Control12
Fuel/Propulsion System9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/01: 324/04: 124/05: 224/06: 224/07: 224/08: 224/09: 524/10: 224/11: 324/12: 125/01: 425/02: 325/03: 225/04: 125/06: 125/07: 125/10: 225/12: 126/01: 226/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 126/08: 124/0124/0624/0924/1225/0325/0726/0126/06max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Toyota RAV4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 47 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 24 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 22 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 45,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 103 miles.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota RAV4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RAV4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 RAV443181.1 inNot rated242
2025 RAV439180.7 in★★★★★4106
2024 RAV439180.7 in★★★★★4177
2023 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★3171
2022 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★2154
2021 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★1411
2020 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★6650
2019 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★8905
2018 RAV432181.1 in★★★★★3348
2017 RAV432181.1 inNot rated3321
2016 RAV432181.1 inNot rated3257
2015 RAV426179.5 inNot rated4304

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →