| Income Bracket | Monthly Financing Cost Range | Cash Purchase Price Range | Toyota RAV4 Years | Toyota 4Runner Years | Best Model Year: | Why? |
| < $5k | $42 – $83 | $1,500 – $3,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | There are no used options at this price for either SUV |
| $5k – $10k |
$83 – $125 | $3,000 – $4,500 | 2002 | N/A | 2002 RAV4 | Only “worst of” 4Runners at this price point |
| $10k – $15k | $125 – $187 | $4,500 – $6,750 | N/A | 2003, 2004 | 2004 4Runner | No “best of” RAV4s in this price range |
| $15k – $25k | $187 – $312 | $6,750 – $11,250 | 2009, 2011-2013 | 2007, 2008 | 2013 RAV4 | Same reliability scores but RAV4 is safer |
| $25k – $35k | $312 – $437 | $11,250 – $15,750 | 2014, 2015 | 2012 | 2012 4Runner | Better FIXD Reliability Score |
| $35k – $50k | $437 – $625 | $15,750 – $22,500 | 2017, 2018 | 2013-2015 | 2018 RAV4 | Better fuel economy and higher safety rating |
| $50k – $74k | $625 – $925 | $22,500 – $33,300 | 2019-2021 | 2017, 2018 | 2021 RAV4 | 10/10 on reliability |
| $75k- $99k |
$925-$1,238 | $33,300 – $44,550 | N/A | 2020, 2021 | 2021 4Runner | No used RAV4s at this price point |
See the methodology for the table above.
If you’re looking to buy a used Toyota SUV, it’s hard to go wrong with the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota 4Runner. Both have the number 4 in their names for good reason – they can both get dirty with ease. However, the RAV4 falls squarely into crossover territory, while the 4Runner is a true old-school SUV.
This means that although you can go off-road with the RAV4, its car-based roots make for a more comfortable commute with light trail capability. The 4Runner, on the other hand, has had body-on-frame construction since day one, which has not seen a major update in nearly 15 years and prefers rocky paths to paved surfaces.
All that said, these are both Toyota vehicles with the associated reputation for reliability and resale value. So which one is the better bet if you’re comparing both? That’s what we aim to discover in this used Toyota RAV4 vs. 4Runner comparison that looks at the 2001 through 2021 model years of both SUVs
To get there, we started with the data-heavy analysis performed in our best and worst model year rankings for the RAV4 and 4Runner. These articles center around objective reliability according to FIXD device data as well as owner-reported subjective reliability.
Also factored in are National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety scores, current market values according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), fuel economy figures published on FuelEconomy.gov, and annual maintenance bills according to owners.
But we start with the budgetary table above as purchase price is always top of mind when it comes to buying a car. The rows are broken out by income range, financing costs, and average purchase prices so that you can find a range that fits your needs.
Then, we pull in the model years of the RAV4 and 4Runner that have already been selected as “best of” options. Finally, a winner for each range is chosen so you have a good idea of where to start. And if it’s more detail you seek, simply continue reading below.
You can also take a look at our used car buying checklist for additional education on this process. Lastly, don’t miss our model year rankings of the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford Explorer for insight into the competition.
Price History Comparison | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
Average Market Value – Based on Owners’ Self-Reported Mileages | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
The above chart is a good place to start your used RAV4 vs. 4Runner buying journey. It illustrates what you can expect to pay according to current KBB market values and as you can see, the 4Runner is going to take a bigger bite out of your budget.
It’s more expensive every year from 2001 through 2021 and sometimes by a long shot. That’s not surprising, however, as the 4Runner has always been about $10,000 pricier for a base model than the RAV4 that entire 20-year span.
As well, the 4Runner has a slower rate of depreciation, which we’ll look at shortly and it’s quite a bit more reliable than the RAV4, which we’ll also discuss below. And don’t discount the “cool factor” as the 4Runner enjoys something of a cult following that the RAV4 does not.
When prices are dramatically out of whack, like in 2016 and 2019, you can also look to mileage for an explanation. For both of those model years, the RAV4 averaged 50,000 to 55,000 miles versus just 25,000 for the 4Runner. This insight comes from owners and is covered in our best and worst model year rankings for the RAV4 and 4Runner.
Depreciation vs Maintenance Expenses
Here is the depreciation comparison noted earlier. As you can see, the 4Runner’s depreciation – on the above right chart – follows a shallower drop compared to the depreciation curve of the RAV4 on the above-left chart.
Depreciation is generally a used car buyer’s friend as it eats up 10 to 15% of the original value after 1 year of ownership and as much as 50% of that value after year 5. It just happens more rapidly with the RAV4 which hits the 50% mark with the 2016 model year, this is 2 years faster than with the 4Runner.
These charts also have a black box highlighting the “sweet spot” of depreciation and average costs per mile to keep your old Toyota on the road. For the RAV4, that spot falls between 2004 and 2009. Within that, the 2009 RAV4 also gets a thumbs up on the model year rankings, so is worth keeping in mind.
The sweet spot for the 4Runner is between 2002 and 2006, during which costs per mile of upkeep are roughly 4 to 12 cents. If you look over the best and worst model year rankings of the 4Runner, you’ll find the 2003 and 2004 trucks fall on the “right” side of that list and in the sweet spot above.
Reliability Comparison | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
When we’re discussing best and worst model year rankings for the Toyota RAV4 and 4Runner, much of the conversation centers around the two above charts. On the left is the comparison of objective FIXD reliability and on the right is how reliable owners think their Toyota is.
Looking over the FIXD Reliability Score comparison reveals the 4Runner to be dramatically more reliable than the RAV4 with a higher score in 11 of the 21 years shown. The RAV4 only bests its corporate cousin 5 times.
That’s not to say the RAV4 doesn’t perform well when it comes to reliability, particularly in 2002 and 2016. But the 4Runner is way out in front of the RAV4 for the 2004, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, AND 2014 model years. Maybe continuing to sell the same vehicle for 15 years with few changes isn’t such a bad idea.
Owners clearly think so as they overwhelmingly agree with the objective reliability results 17 times out of an available 21. Usually, you can’t rely simply on a friend telling you their car is reliable as a reason to buy one for yourself. However, as the results above illustrate, there are a lot of model years of the 4Runner where that is true.
Longevity Comparison | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
The point of the above chart is to give you an idea of how many miles to expect when out shopping the used RAV4 and 4Runner market. These figures come from owner survey responses as covered in our best and worst model year series of the RAV4 and 4Runner.
So, what is considered high mileage for these Toyotas? Well, both are knocking on the door of 100,000 miles as of the 2015 model year. The 4Runner regularly racks up 150,000 miles one year earlier, but the RAV4 doesn’t get into that range until 2009. And 200,000 miles is clearly a more comfortable mark for 4Runners from the early 2000s.
Also, note how the RAV4 (green bars) posts a decline in mileage as it gets older between 2007 and 2003. Normally, the trend goes the other way, but all of these RAV4s get a thumbs down on the model year rankings, so perhaps reliability plays a part here.
The 4Runner also bucks this trend in 2005 and 2006, showing significantly lower odometer readings over that stretch. Like the RAV4, these 4Runners fall on the wrong side of the model year rankings.
Who Should Buy These Cars: The Legacy of The Toyota RAV4 & Toyota 4Runner
| Frequent Use Categories: | Toyota RAV4 | How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars) | Toyota 4Runner How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars) |
| Family Vehicle | ***** | * * * * |
| Lots of Driving (travel/long commute) | **** | * * * |
| Hauling/Towing | * | * |
| Office on Wheels | * | * |
| Sport/Fast Driving | * | * |
| Luxurious Driving | * | * |
| Outdoor/Off-Road | * | * * |
It’d be reasonable to assume that 4Runner owners primarily use their SUV for lots of driving given the higher mileage versus the RAV4 shown earlier. But the table above shows that a higher percentage of RAV4 owners say they use their Toyota for long commutes and the like.
What gives? Perhaps the 18% of 4Runner owners who say off-roading and outdoor activities are their primary purpose has something to do with it. Not everyone lives around the corner from the trailhead, so you could have a high percentage of these owners driving long distances just to get off the road in the first place.
Whatever the case, it brings up another point when it comes to buying any used car. You need to find out just how much off-roading the previous owner did with their Toyota as it naturally causes more wear and tear. The same is true of towing, which twice as many 4Runner owners – 8% vs. 4% – list as a frequent activity with their Toyota.
It’s also worth noting that 54% of RAV4 owners say “family vehicle” is the priority, while only 37% of 4Runner owners say the same. As we’ll get to in a moment, this correlates with the RAV4 posting far better safety scores than the 4Runner since day one, which is important to anyone toting their family around.
Driver Experience | A Summary of The Top 10 Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner Reddit Posts:
All our metrics and survey data are nice, but what if you want to hear unfiltered opinions on whether to buy a used Toyota RAV4 or 4Runner? In that case, head over to the What Car Should I Buy Reddit and prepare to go down the rabbit hole.
To help keep you from fully disappearing down that hole, we’ve done some digging ourselves to find out if there is a general consensus on this topic. Turns out, there is. No matter if someone is comparing the 2022 RAV4 and 4Runner or early aught model years, Redditors generally agree on several points.
- If you’re off-roading regularly, buy a 4Runner as it can go just about anywhere.
- If you need a car for commuting, the RAV4 has a nicer ride and better fuel economy.
- If it’s reliability you’re after, you can’t beat a 4Runner thanks to well over a decade of under-investment by Toyota. Sometimes, old-school simplicity is just better.
On the whole, the Reddit community seems to agree that both of these Toyota options are reliable, but if you’re buying a 4Runner, plan to use it in its natural habitat of rough roads and rocky trails.
Year-by-Year Comparison | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
Best & Worst Years | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner | 2001-2024
Want to know what years are the best and which ones are the worst without reading through the best and worst model year rankings of the Toyota RAV4 and 4Runner? Take a gander at the colorful graphic above in that case.
Any model years in the red get a thumbs down and any shown in the green have received the go-ahead. Model years sitting over yellow sections do not yet have enough data to make a clear call and blue-circled years mark the start of a new generation.
That latter aspect is worth noting because it is an occasion often accompanied by poor reliability as the automaker works through production issues. This trend plays out with the 2001 and 2006 RAV4 and 2010 4Runner. It also lays out in stark detail how old the current 4Runner generation really is.
As for making a purchase decision, note that the 2009 RAV4 is both in the green above and within the depreciation sweet spot from earlier. For the 4Runner, the 2003 and 2004 model years meet this criteria.
Important Features Timeline | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
When it comes to buying a used Toyota RAV4 or 4Runner, you may be interested in factors outside of the data analysis our best and worst model year rankings consist of. Perhaps you just want to know when heated seats were first offered in these SUVs. That’s where the above graphic comes in.
It illustrates when popular amenities first arrived in these Toyotas. Heated seats, for example, have been on hand for the past 20 years in both cases. Ventilated seats are a more recent addition to the RAV4 in 2019 but go back to the 2014 4Runner.
Toyota Safety Sense, the automaker’s robust bundle of driver aids, is laden with systems on new Toyotas, but blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning have been an RAV4 option since 2014. Reflecting a lack of safety emphasis, the 4Runner only started offering those systems in 2020.
Four- or all-wheel-drive have been on hand since day one for both vehicles – hence the use of the number 4 in their name plates – but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are modern features that Toyota has only included for the past few years.
Want a manual transmission? You’ll have to go back to 2000 to find one in the 4Runner and 2005 in the RAV4. But, The RAV4 has offered a hybrid powertrain since 2016, which has never been an option with the 4Runner.
Maintenance Costs (Year-by-Year Average) | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
So, what can you expect to pay in average annual maintenance bills to keep a used RAV4 or 4Runner on the road? About the same as it turns out. According to owner survey responses pulled from the best and worst model year series for the RAV4 and 4Runner, that figure is $581 for the former and $598 for the latter.
There are some outliers like the 2004 RAV4 and 2008 4Runner, but high bills don’t automatically mean low reliability. An owner religious about upkeep is naturally going to incur higher service costs than one who runs their Toyota into the ground. So make sure to do your homework on this front by reviewing prior service history.
Safety Rating Comparison | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
The chart above confirms our earlier comments about why you might prefer the RAV4 over the 4Runner if you’ll be using it primarily as a family vehicle. It compares the average NHTSA safety scores of these Toyotas over the past 20 or so years.
The RAV4 (green bars) is the safer bet as it bests the 4Runner nearly every time. That being said, the 4Runner does generally achieve a 4-star rating, which is by no means a poor result, but it’s low relative to the RAV4.
In 2011, the NHTSA instituted a new testing protocol with stricter requirements. It caused an industry-wide decline in safety scores and these Toyotas were not immune. But the 4Runner really fell off a cliff, earning an all-time low 3 stars. It’s one reason we don’t recommend the 2011 4Runner.
On the other hand, the 2011 RAV4 does earn a thumbs up on the model year rankings because not only was the safety decline relatively smaller, but it also has a good objective reliability score and decent fuel efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison | Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner
One other important consideration when shopping for a used Toyota RAV4 versus a 4Runner is fuel economy. By which we mean, if it’s important, don’t even bother looking at the 4Runner. As you can see on the above-left chart, the 4Runner (gray bars) never gets past an average of 19 mpg, while the RAV4 (green bars) never goes below 22 mpg.
The RAV4 also follows the typical trend of improving fuel efficiency with each new generation as you can see in 2013 and 2019.
However, the 4Runner actually goes the other way, getting thirstier since its last generation arrived way back in 2010. Some of this can be attributed to an update in MPG testing protocols, but it doesn’t change the fact that the 4Runner is a gas guzzler.
Need even more fuel efficiency? Check out the RAV4 hybrid chart above on the right. Since 2016, it has offered this powertrain, something the 4Runner never has. As of 2019, these fuel misers have averaged an impressive 40 mpg.
All things considered, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is a good option for those in the market as it gets a “best of” nod on the model year rankings, is within the depreciation sweet spot, and averages 23 mpg.
For the 4Runner, look to the 2003 and 2004 SUVs. Both get a thumbs up on the model year rankings and are inside the depreciation sweet spot. Fuel economy stinks, but that’s par for the 4Runner course.
Methodology
- Clearly state the purpose of the comparison, which is to compare two vehicles Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner, and provide a comprehensive analysis.
- Gather relevant information and data on both vehicles from reliable sources, such as manufacturer specifications, expert reviews, customer feedback, industry reports, and data sources like manufacturer websites, FIXD App, Kelley Blue Book, FuelEconomy.gov, and NHTSA.
- Collect data on various aspects, including performance, safety features, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, reliability, owner satisfaction, and market value.
- Identify the key criteria that will be used to evaluate and compare the two vehicles.
- Ensure the criteria cover both objective factors (such as performance metrics, safety ratings, and fuel efficiency) and subjective factors (such as owner satisfaction, comfort, and features).
- Examine the safety features and ratings of both vehicles.
- Evaluate crash test ratings, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), active and passive safety features, and any notable recalls or known issues related to safety.
- Consider both NHTSA safety ratings and IIHS awards for a comprehensive safety assessment.
- Analyze the fuel economy of both vehicles based on EPA mileage estimates.
- Compare their MPG ratings, average full-tank range, and any significant differences in fuel efficiency.
- Assess the average annual maintenance and repair costs for both vehicles.
- Consider data from surveyed owners and other reliable sources, such as FIXD App owner surveys, to determine the overall cost of ownership over time.
- Evaluate the reliability of both vehicles based on owner reports, FIXD App data, and any known issues or recalls.
- Consider factors such as engine reliability, common problems by model year, long-term durability, and owner reliability scores gathered from surveys.
- Consider owner satisfaction by gathering information from forums, online communities (Reddit: r/whatcarshouldIbuy), customer reviews, and owner reliability scores.
- Summarize key factors that owners appreciate and any common complaints or drawbacks mentioned by owners.
- Compare the features and technologies offered by both vehicles.
- Highlight any notable differences in terms of infotainment systems, connectivity options, driver assistance features, interior quality, and available upgrades.
- Assess the market value and depreciation of both vehicles.
- Compare average prices, resale value, and how the vehicles hold their value over time.
- Consider average private-seller valuations from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) for a comprehensive assessment.
- Summarize the findings of the comparison, highlighting the positives and negatives of each vehicle.
- Provide a fair and balanced recommendation based on the comparison, considering factors such as budget, personal preferences, specific needs of the buyer, and the comprehensive analysis conducted.
Sources:
- KBB Values: Average private-seller valuations as supplied by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), based on a Toyota RAV4 and Toyota 4Runner with typical mileage for that respective model year.
- Fuel Economy: Mileage-per-gallon estimates according to the EPA MPG on Fueleconomy.gov.
- Annual Maintenance/Repairs: Upkeep expenses as reported by surveyed Toyota RAV4 and Toyota 4Runner owners.
- Safety Ratings: Crash test data collected and reported by NHTSA. We average all ratings for each year to come up with a simplified, average safety score. This makes it easier to look at on a graph. We also collected IIHS Awards for this article.
- Vehicle Features: Most or all information gathered on vehicle features were from the manufacturer websites, in this case Toyota.com
Niel Stender grew up doing replacement work on his old Cherokee and sweet Mitsubishi Starion, which led to a degree in mechanical engineering and a job at Ford as a vehicle dynamics engineer. His writing infuses that automotive background with sales and marketing experience. Writing about cars for close to a decade now, he enjoys digging into some of the more technical mechanical systems under the hood and throughout a vehicle.
