2013 Toyota RAV4 AWD Off-Road Drive and Review

[@kerrykiwi55]

In Oct / Nov 2010 we toured around Central Australia in my 2009 RAV4 CV 2.4L for six weeks. Car fitted with Bridgestone Light Truck tyres on mags, tougher suspension, under engine alloy gravel guard. Carried full manual recovery kit (hand winch, cables, etc) 100L fuel, 120L water plus 3 people carrying limited personal equipment. Average daytime temp of 36C, with peaks of 45C some days. Car went like a dream. Mud, sand, gravel, creek crossings, around Lake Eyre all taken in stride. Hardest jaunt was Arkaroola in Northern Flinders range. Had to get the passengers to walk up hill on two occasions. Steeper and rockier than in the video. Be daring and try harder next time fellas.

[@chum_bucket98]

Are you stupid?

[@bighands69]

atb102798 The RAV4 can do it if you know how to use it. Does he/she sound like a stupid person with the description given.

[@TFLcar]

The dog belonged to a girl shooting, but it was terrified of the gun shots so it kept following us hoping for a ride home.

[@lisajackson3917]

I've just found this. I'm from Australia and I've taken this exact model RAV across some of our roughest roads we have here in the Kimberley region, eg: The Gibb River Road, and the road to the Keep River National Park, as well as Purnalulu National Park. All 3 roads are open to high clearance 4WDs and we made it. The road you've been travelling is a highway compared to ours. My Rav would have made it over those "big rocks" and more...BTW: take the running board off and it would have been even better...

[@Newyorkgiants6597]

Take another rav4 that body style that doesn't have the ridiculous and unnecessary running boards.

[@badhombre8383]

Exactly

[@yodead369]

I have that one! 2013. I have enough clearance! Get rid of those cheesy ass wheels that aren't meant for off-road you can't test it with those wheels!

[@mercetajs]

was thinking the same thing... why for such a small car anyone would need a stepping board :D

[@TurfSurf]

I drove this car a few month ago, and I got over 40 miles a gallon on eco!!! It's amazing, I thought the gauge was wrong when I was at the gas station. I did some light off road too, it was good.

[@wtrdogg20]

I have watched several Russian video reviews on the Rav4 (There is no Crossover or SUV that doesnt go under a extreme off road test on Russian videos), and it performs very well in most common moderate off road conditions that most drivers will take it into, especially somewhat deep snow roads, dirt or gravel roads and not so even terrains, including creeks and water streams. Actually it perfoms way better than the CR-V in off road conditions. BTW, those runnings boards reduces the ground clearance, the Rav4 is not that tall to need them... Running boards are good for taller SUV like a Land Cruiser.

[@moonsapling]

There are 2 dudes on youtube that have lifted their AWD Rav4s. I love how underestimated this things are!

[@andreypopovich6908]

Those Russian videos convinced me to get my 17 RAV4

[@thetechlibrarian]

Yeah your right man lol they really put them to the test over there.

[@andreypopovich6908]

@The Tech Librarian yeah its a different world over there. I've seen reviewers damage bumpers and whatnot. In the US, they seem afraid to put a scratch on the cars.

[@TFLcar]

Thanks for the nice comments. We love Brazil. Someday perhaps we can test the VW Amarok in your country.

[@hahsimalbeity3162]

The RAV4 AWD 2013 is very capable at off roads it's got enough power and great traction. It just doesn't have enough ground clearance but overall it's an amazing car.

[@pablomoreno1999]

what is affecting the ground clearance arr that stirrups under the doors and they are not standard, just don't buy them for your car and you'll get better ground clearance, because as you can see car hits the ground only with them, so the problem is not the ground clearance

[@hayksamvelyan]

The running boards create a "three wheeler" situation, where you can't avoid a boulder at any position. If you only had the exhaust to worry about, you could possibly position the car in a way where it wouldn't hit it.

[@EricPushman]

I have a 2014 Rav. I do t really take it down rocky roads, but in the hills of the desert it does just fine.

[@BerettaM9USAF]

what was the point? to show that you could tear up the running boards?

[@loganbowen7242]

I put a 2.5 inch lift on my 2015 and some bigger tires and it does great. I’ve taken it to Moab many times, it cant do large rocky tails but it’s a smooth car that can handle a bit of dirt.

[@TFLcar]

Nick, just as an FYI for you. The Exhaust system runs at exactly the same height above the ground as the running boards. Even without running boards the RAV4 still only has 6.3 inches of ground clearance which means you'll bash the exhaust just as easily as the running boards.

[@PatTheRiot]

Making a long story short: the 4th gen Rav4 is by no means a 4x4 off roader. But its a very dependable awd system combined with ok ground clearance (the 6" is minimum, meaning you have an exhaust pipe sticking out at that height, you can still plow into snow all day) and a bulletproof engine+transmission. It also has a 50/50 rear diff. Lock that lets you make wheelies on a dime in a snowy parking lot. What else could you want unless you live in the wooded moutains of Alaska? Itll get you anywhere as long as there is a road. Thats all 99% of drivers need. The climbing height is also perfect for a daily driver. Its easier for my granny to enter/exit than her corolla. I actually enjoy taking seat and setting up for my ride in that car. Its solid and smooth. Its a camry 98" jacked up. Lol P.s: I chose this over an old xterra pro4 for gas mileage and average need. If it can move big stuff once in a while im good. Im pretty sure a rav4 on bilsteins and alloy gravel plates becomes a rally car too. Ok maybe with super tuning and super brakes. But trust me Ive seen people abuse these things inside and out. Theres a reason toyotas hold value. Its just very very very well put together. Ive owned everything daily and the only match on assembly and durability was on late 90's era honda/acura base models. The high end luxury editions are just unmatched and probably never will be again. Golden era of Jap cars. Toyota kept a bit of that in the 2013/18 era and the Canadian built rav4's are very on par.

[@wvuchick131]

wow. why would you pick the rav4 with running boards then complain about ground clearance? setting this up for failure. i have this exact car, same year, color, AWD, no stupid running boards because it doesn't need them. its like the honey badger in the snow and rain. if you need to go that far off road why the hell would you buy this car? comes down to common sense. if you need something that goes up a jeep trail then buy a jeep. lol..if you occasionally have to deal with dirt roads that aren't in terrible shape or have to deal with snow then buy something like this. honestly no point to this at all.

[@grg337]

wvuchick131 the running boards might be helpful for loading a kayak, or if your a midget.

[@mikehawk4856]

One of the best winter vehicles out there

[@Vanuatoo]

You can compensate low ground clearance with high side clearance. For instance when you want to overtake a big rock, you don't drive over it, you are driving over it with a tire and in this situation side ground clearance is your friend.

[@Thissandthat]

The awd system seems a lot like the awd system in my sister Lexus rx300, it really doesn't take a lot for the rear end to kick in! Good job Toyota, and kudos to yall for taking it off road! I'd like to see more crossover off road videos, love em!

[@TFLcar]

The RAV4's exhaust system is at the exact same ground clearance as the running boards. We measured it. We fear that removing the running boards does not solve the ground clearance problem.

[@hahsimalbeity3162]

Well you could increase the ground clearance of the car through the suspensions it is possible

[@ballader1]

Yes it is, but it doesn't hurt the departure angle, while the sidesteps hurt the ramp breakover angle. Simply measuring your clearance judges your cars ability to climb sidewalks hehe. I don't know if it's possible but I believe most of us would like to see that retested without the running boards. Thank you.

[@andrewkhod]

Nick, your absolutely right! these people obviously don't know much about off-roading. Comment below states exhaust is the same height, but they need to understand that the side-steps decrease the overall clearance significantly.

[@Mamo878]

Any vehicle with running boards is pretty much telling you, "don't take me off-road, take me to the mall!" Btw, those loud gunshots are typically from a rifle, in this case it's probably some guy with an AR-15 shooting .223/5.56.

[@eja2323]

Although the running boards provide exactly the same ground clearance as the RAV4's exhaust system, because the running boards where positioned on the sides of the vehicle, they would cause a greater problem if the rocks where positioned in the spaces in which the exhaust system was not located. Therefor, greatly decreasing the chances of a successful and longer journey up the rocky hill climb in Boulder, Colorado compared to the old rav4 and the model with the running boards.

[@DwaynePeterson]

Thanks for putting together this review. As you guys said this really does not have the ground clearance for those kinds of road. Personally unless you have money to blow why risk breaking a $30k car when you can purchase a cheap and cheap to fix used SUV for this kind of driving. The RAV4 of this generation is designed to be comfortable and economical while allowing you better all weather handling. We had the "misfortune" of driving home through the Cascade Mountains around Crater Lake during a spring snow storm. While dealing with three or more inches at some points the RAV4 handled beautifully in variations of powder and hard packed ice to heavy slush and areas of standing water as we came down in elevation.

[@Cio7283]

I think if you tried a Rav4 without the running boards, it could have gone farther. Those running boards are OPTIONAL. Here in NJ I haven't even seen a 2013 Rav4 with them.

[@ballader1]

it is a center locking differential, meaning it splits your power to 50% in the rear wheels and 50% in the front.

[@congausa1]

I think this car looks much better in person. The interior is much better then the past generations. I hope Toyota keep it quality up and above. Not everyone buy Rav4 to take it offroad but it's good to know that the car's capabilites. Great video!!!

[@julioakaslayer]

I take my wife's FWD Rav4 off-road to my shooting spot all 4 seasons and it has done great. Sometimes I wish i would have bought her the AWD.

[@ballader1]

hi, what I was trying to say was that while the exhaust system is at 6.3 in., it doesn't affect the departure angle, because it doesn't stick out. So it won't drag unless you are going up rocks that are higher than 6.3 in. , in inclines it doesn't matter. The difference is that, with the sidesteps your breakover angle is compromised along with the clearance, letting the rav down on steep stuff and rocks See it this way,how many times did you hit the boards and how many the exhaust in that trail?

[@AlnairLindalwe]

Well, guys, it was actually Lada Niva who invented the crossover.

[@codybrown2371]

I know off road videos can look deceiving. I tried filming a bit with my old 80 series land cruiser down in Moab. I now own a 2007 Rav4 and we took it off road last weekend and it did way better than this new one. Of course, I don't have running boards. But even with the sport package and wheels it was quite impressive off road. It was mostly trucks up there besides us.

[@kirbyswarp]

They made it into a mall-finder. It used to be a small offroader, but has gone more soccer-mom mobile through the years. How much further can they go? get rid of the 4x4 option?

[@glenwalters68]

why would you use the rav 4 with running boards...this don't even make sense

[@yodead369]

Because they won't test anything that's not the top trim every time they test a car.... Completely meaningless to the average buyer.

[@311thewiser1]

I love the sounds of freedom bellowing in the distance.

[@germanocdiedam]

Another Brazilian fan here! The VW Amarok is a really nice truck we have here, if you end up having more time I would like to see a review of Ford New Fiesta that started to be manufactured in Brazil including two kind of engine and also transmission. Oh and I loved the dog following you guys all the way! Best regards from Brazil!

[@H15A5H1]

Did you guys ever find the owner of that malinois that was following you around?

[@sumitpaul5576]

YOU GUYS ARE SO FREAKING AWESOME, thank you for making this channel

[@ideaynojodas]

I agree with Nathan. Get rid of the side steps and you're good to go off road. =)

[@patog6408]

How about lifting it by 2 " and to equip it with proper tires would it be better off road ?

[@belairboy57]

Sorry guys, but this was not a fair test at all with those running boards. We have had a new XLE for about 6 months and it's been great. Some limited off-roading in northern PA and it did fine. It was very impressive earlier this year in the wet, greasy snows we seem to be getting anymore back east. Mileage is great - we easily get 31-32 on trips. I enjoy your reviews; as you say, you give another perspective with your type of testing.

[@haradbl]

Between this and the Forester, which do you think would be better suited (even without the running boards) to taking that trail?

[@Apostolosts]

Hi, is there a difference in specs between EU and US RAV4. In EU the Ground Clearence is 187 mm which I thnk is about 7.3 inches... I can also spot some differences in the front

[@bighands69]

Apostolos Tsirgoulas US models can have bigger engines and more power. In the US as well Toyota has Highlander, 4Runner and Sequoia to choose from and they will all go off road with more clearance than a RAV4. In the US the US the RAV4 is meant more as a road car than the EU models.

[@brucemartin4423]

I,am living Jamaica,Caribbean,W,I,and jus bought ,one ,trust me Rava4 tuff,awesome on Mountain road take z dam 🏃‍♂️board

[@DjdMenis]

Awesome video.

[@kevinhoule6547]

I love the dig at all those guys who always Bitch that isn't an off road trail Nathan.

[@Chrismzeller]

Thanks for the review. It's always great to see your willingness to drive these crossovers on real trails. I used your 2014 Forester reviews plus last year's Rav 4 review to choose my Forester. But, as you noted yourself, this review sucked. Noisy background, distracting dog. re-run the review in a better location before posting. Also, can you do another review of the other features of the car? I'd love to hear how the engine, fuel economy, cargo capacity, interior stacks up against the Forester

[@MrRedskins0021]

There always has to be a kid playing with guns. Good video!!

[@MahmoudZaki88]

would replacing the tyres with bigger ones give it ground clearance? and if replaced, what effects may this have on the rest of the car?

[@MemphisMojo15s]

it will lessen your mpg, kill power, but give you more clearance..

[@egturbovtec]

So the whole problem is the ground clearance? I'm thinking to lift 2 inches my 08 4WD rav4 and put bigger size off-road tires. Will that work?

[@alvilla701]

You can do that but this small cars don't have a lot extra power so is going to get slower and thirty with it happens on all cars but you feel it more on car with small power

[@lifeisgood12341]

those running boards ruined that one

[@NathanDAdlen]

Yes, Roman and I represent nearly 500 lbs, so it made sense to let Andre drive a bit.

[@kevinhoule6547]

We can also tell who's CC was put down on the deposit. Funny how pissed Roman gets when unplanned stuff happens in the video, that is what makes TFLcar videos the best, not only in the bloopers but in the reviews as well.

[@ColunadaMoto]

I love all your videos and I love you guys! Keep doing this fantastic work! Best regard from a Brazilian fan ;-)

[@00000anand]

kudos to you guys for helping out the little pooch :)

[@gavindamron9502]

You didn't get one with the center diff lock?

[@que4t]

good video. I don't see what the point of a crossover with that little ground is, The thing is as low as a regular car. The new rav4 is nothing more than a large hatchback car.

[@cjottosen2198]

Toyota's RAV4 needs to go back to its roots. I have the 2010 RAV4 with 7.5" of clearance and it does pretty damn good with moderate off-roading. Just try to keep all 4 tires down, pick your line and it will go! (Also it doesn't hurt at all to put more aggressive tires on as the stock ones suck) RAV ON!!!

[@rosewood513]

I went off road all weekend and did not damage my Rav 4 at all... it is called respect your car.

[@BenzinioB]

is it really 6.5 inches ground clearance? Because in some specs I fond 197 mm which if calculating it right is about 7.7+ inches...

[@splatch]

With side steps it is always lower.

[@sugarpenny10]

I think Range Rover was the first crossover. I speak as a Rav4 owner. The RR was the first you could comfortably drive on road as well as off. And carried a luxury car price tag. Launched in 1970 it was before the Lada Niva (1974) and the Rav4 (1994).

[@cooperbarnes7808]

Jeep XJ cherokee (1984) was the first crossover. RR is body on frame.

[@firasalwakeel5365]

exactly .. This is what I am taking about. Thx for your video

[@MickzoDeepAuthentic]

The Most honest review by Far.

[@zig-y1v]

Are you able to do sand driving tests with the cross overs?

[@manuelsalas6465]

Well why you have that extension on bottom side? Make it lower

[@AlnairLindalwe]

I was all like "WTF??? O_____O" when your camera man suddenly spoke at 4:26 :))

[@95thRiflesOCI]

So if your interested in a Camry but need the AWD traction, but don't want to step up to the Highlander which rides well and has 8 inches of clearance and good approach / departure angles, U pretty much gotta settle with the Rav4.

[@Japplesnap]

When are you guys going to test a new 4Runner on those snowy or muddy Colorado trails? I've been patiently waiting....

[@el_blaxicano2]

does any one know of a similar trail to what's shown in this video around the North Georgia area? I own a 2018 Rav4 Adventure and been wanting to take it on a dirt road or small trail. I'll check out anything! Thanks

[@MagnumLapua338]

Great car, excellent Toyota quality and reliability. Off road worth? very mild off road stuff. Great car for slick roads, very comfortable, and the reliable Camry engine.

[@Flaheat]

Will there be a follow-up video about the dog?

[@patgenier1965]

Thanks for the vid. Thinking of getting a used one as a daily driver. Nathan, Great Shirt! Love our Rush up here In The Great white North. Cheers.

[@tallen35875]

Did you guys ever take a previous gen CR-V up the trail?

[@SH1974]

Guys, when You drive slowly offroad, why don't You use the button to lock the center diff?

[@giovanni233]

this car doesn't have locking differentals

[@SH1974]

@ TechJunkie: Bullshit! I own one RAV4 like this and IT HAS a center-diff-lock! (diff-lock switches off when driving faster as 40km/h - but these guys don't...)

[@giovanni233]

I drove a 2015 model didn't have on

[@lpslashgt]

The AWD non hybrid RAV4 has a button to lock 50/50 front to rear which disengages at 40KMPH. Were you driving a front wheel drive version or a AWD hybrid version? Because if you were then it wouldn't have it as it is only on the AWD non hybrid version. The hybrid version uses electric motors for the rear wheels so it can't lock the differentials as there isn't one to lock.

[@adamkathedwards3040]

Hi there, And now, several years later, I am considering a either / both a particular used diesel 2013 model for sale near me, and a new 2020 hybrid cruiser AWD model. Out of interest, how many km / miles have any of you got on your 2013 or similar RAV4, and what has your experience been? Especially diesel ones? The 2013 one I’m considering is a 6 speed manual 2.2L 4 cylinder diesel AWD, with 116,000 km (72,500 miles) ... for about a third of the price of the new 2020 model hybrid AWD cruiser model. I need a car now and wouldn’t struggle to several wait months for the new 2020 model (my current car is dying fast), and I also have two teenage boys who want to get their manual licence ... so I’m considering buying the 2013 one now to teach them in over the next 1-2 years, then maybe selling that to one of them and/or upgrading to a (then used) 2020 model (auto / CVT) hybrid then when they’re hopefully a bit more affordable. Would appreciate hearing more of your own experience with RAV 4’s around the 2013 era, and especially those with the same Diesel engine ... and thoughts on the above? Thanks Adam

[@95thRiflesOCI]

Agree, I'm afraid the days of 8 inches of ground clearance are over, all thats left for 2013 is the Venza and Highlander. Unless you wanna step up to the trucks toyota offers :D

[@Stuka87]

JWhat is the ground clearance under those rockers? 4-5" maybe?

[@CarWhiz22]

that's very true and I was about to say the same thing. I'm pretty sure the side-step things are optional, and, without them I think this crossover would be very good off road. Not sure why Roman is being so negative!

[@AetiusPraetorian]

Best RAV4's I have seen off road were the 4.1's and 4.2's (1994-2006) these were permanent 4wd. Not slip activated like the 4.3 and 4.4's. In several international tests from those days the 4.2 rated as the best crossover or 4wd version for light offroad. The drawback, higher fuel usage due to the full time 4wd. Also the 4.2 was lower than the 4.1. The 4.4 looks like a big ass station wagon/van. And why would you put side boards on a van and take it off road?

[@idontreadurreplies_umadbro7601]

+AetiusPraetorian if its permanent 4wd then its called awd.

[@AetiusPraetorian]

Does it really matter?

[@ThePrezObozo]

Thanks so much for rescuing the dog 👍

[@sonnyblu6299]

Can I use this video as a similar comparison of my 2009 Lexus RX350 AWD off road? In no way do I wish to abuse my beautiful pristine newly found, very low milage "New Old Stock" "Only Driven to Church" Lexus... But, I did buy it for the exact purpose of getting me to that campsite in the mountains... and not gouging my gas tank in the Picacho Peak parking lot!

[@rktrumble]

Living in Colorado and going on these off road passes, I can testify that if you think you can take a normal car on these roads, you are higher than Linsy Lohan. Why do you think the only vehicles you see pass them on these roads are extreme off-roaders?

[@TheK24Kyle]

You guys should try to do this with a CR-V. Those little buggers are actually kind of impressive off road...

[@megamike317]

The new rav4's with AWD also have a lockable differential that gives power to the front and back wheels 50/50 up to 25mph. Idk if you guys used that tho :)

[@NedwardJamesAlmost]

Can we get a repeat with the 2019 Adventure? So we can see if it really is more capable or just better looking.

[@91lilfabo]

where can you buy the bottom step??

[@autumnclockwork]

I take my Nissan Versa up these roads, and pay an arm and a leg to my mechanic in repairs. I bring spare tires, and climb rocks to make up for no ground clearance. I'm watching these videos for some ideas for an off roader. Might have to look into a Jeep, haha.

[@Offshore1977]

Excellent video. This car has done more off road than 99.9% of the Rav4's would ever do in their lifetime. Too bad toyota doesn't keep them as off road worthy as the original ones.

[@JTLDN]

Why is the rear suspension so low? the stock one isn't this low?!

[@pim1234]

You took care of the dog +1 !

[@MV-df8jl]

Love the gun shots😂

[@MF11283]

1:27 "you can go off the beaten track, this is off the beaten track" that "trail" looks well traveled to me

[@TimJoseph08031990]

Nissan CVTs are unreliable, because they're mass produced. True the Subaru Justy CVT back in the late 80s-early 90s was a failure, but Subaru engineers did careful research and development to make sure that the CVT made for 2010+ vehicles with Boxer 4 engines will last. Subaru CVT is a sealed system, unlike Nissan, and Subaru's CVT is longitudinally located, since it's paired with the Boxer-4 engine, rather than a transversely mounted CVT in a transverse engine.

[@moonsapling]

Sealed system doesnt mean no fluid changes :) Nissan uses Jatco transmission and so do Subaru. Subaru partnered with Jatco and together they build the TR series transmissions. The only japanese car brand that makes their CVTs themselves is Toyota.

[@dmarin756]

Can you guys do a Review of the Mercedes Benz S-Class and talk about the Brake Assist that has pedestrian recognition

[@001aq9]

Nice videos and I hope that you try the new car MG RX5 2018 off-roading.....!

[@Royalorgans]

how does it compare to the Ford Escape Titanium

[@bartmatton]

you shouldn't be so quick to judge people. think of the running boards as rock sliders like on a land cruiser. They prevent more expensive bits from being damaged.

[@cmcc0408]

Love that dog

[@jamesr8103]

Can you test the 2013 Dodge Journey Crew on that trail?

[@deval_8roblox26]

I love the sound