The used car market is vast and seemingly endless. Open any classifieds site, and you’ll find tens of thousands of cars waiting to change hands. They range from near-vintage beaters perfect for project cars to pristine sports cars that have spent most of their lives in clean garages. So, if you’re in the market for a used car in 2025, the classifieds can be a gold mine of awesome cars that are going for a bargain. Perhaps that’s why many car enthusiasts are addicted to Facebook Marketplace today!
An average used car buyer is unlike a car enthusiast. They are not looking for a project car; they are looking for something practical, reliable, efficient, and modern, without breaking the bank. There is one SUV that strikes this perfect balance, and of course, it wears a Toyota badge. It’s a used RAV4, a Toyota SUV that outsells many brand-new cars today. Here’s why this used Toyota SUV is so popular even in the used market.
A Used RAV4 Is Old For Four Brand New RAV4 Models
The Toyota RAV4, in its fifth generation, is an SUV that has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, thanks to its combination of everyday practicality, low ownership costs, and high resale value. It adds to that with a decently powerful engine, spacious interior, and plenty of features, including an available all-wheel-drive system. And according to iSeeCars, it might also be the highest-selling Toyota SUV in the used market!
iSeeCars’ Study On 7.7 Million One-To-Five Year Old Car Sales In 2024
According to a study by iSeeCars of 7.7 million one-to-five-year-old car sales in 2024, the Toyota SUV (excluding the RAV4 Hybrid) ranked ninth among the best-selling used cars of 2024. That also makes it the highest-selling Toyota SUV of that year. The study reports that the RAV4 accounted for 1.6 percent of total used-car sales in the US, more than some other heavy hitters, such as the Toyota Corolla (1.4 percent), Honda CR-V (1.3 percent), and Ford Escape (1.2 percent).
Back-of-a-napkin calculations suggest that the used market moved around 123,200 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 (a large part of the fifth generation) in 2024 alone. For reference, the very same year, Toyota sold 475,193 brand-new MY24 RAV4 models, the year’s highest-selling car. That means for every four new RAV4s sold, the used market sold another one all by itself. That’s a tremendous feat for a used car, when you think about it. Toyota spends millions on advertising every year, while an average used-car seller has only a phone camera and an online listing.
Used RAV4 Sales Compared To Other Cars
The iSeeCars study also suggests that the 2019 to 2023 RAV4 outsold multiple brand-new Toyotas in 2024, including the 4Runner (92,156 units) and Prius (44,711 units). Similarly, the RAV4 outsold all Lexus cars combined (67,587 units, excluding trucks) and its contemporary rivals, such as the Volkswagen Tiguan (94,372 units) and the Mitsubishi Outlander ICE (45,253 units). Remember, the iSeeCars study is based on sales of 1- to five-year-old cars, so the actual number of used RAV4s sold may be significantly higher.
The Toyota SUV That Sold More Than The 4Runner, Tundra, And Tacoma Combined
This awesome Toyota SUV is the king of the market and has outsold not only its competitors but also its other Toyota counterparts.
Appeals To The Wallet Of A Used Car Buyer
A used car buyer is likely keen on saving as much as they can, and that’s the primary reason why the fifth-gen RAV4 is so much in demand in the used market. It’s one of the most reliable SUVs you can buy today, with a high reliability rating across the board. Additionally, it’s also relatively fuel-efficient, with EPA estimates ranging from 28 to 30 miles per gallon in combined conditions for recent model years. Finally, Toyota’s vast service network, solid build quality, and low maintenance costs round out the deal, making the RAV4 a very pocket-friendly compact SUV.
Ranked As The Most Reliable Crossover SUV And Small SUV
Reliability is where the RAV4 comes out on top against its rivals. iSeeCars estimates its average lifespan at 13.7 years or 168,824 miles, with a 28.4 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles. Those real-world numbers help the RAV4 earn an overall reliability rating of 8.2 out of 100, and an even stronger 8.7 out of 10 for the current fifth generation. That’s also the reason why iSeeCars ranks the RAV4 as the most reliable crossover SUV and the most reliable small SUV you can buy.
Holds Value Absurdly Well For A Car That Sells So Well
Some cars hold their value because they are rare and special, but the RAV4 is neither. It’s one of the best-selling SUVs ever, yet it retains its value better than most cars. According to iSeeCars, a new RAV4 loses just 30.3 percent of its value after five years. For context, the average compact SUV loses 44.1 percent, and the average SUV loses 49 percent in the same period. Similarly, its 10-year depreciation is 57.2 percent. This makes the RAV4 even more appealing to used-car buyers, since it helps them minimize the money they’ll lose when it’s time to sell it a few years later.
Here’s How Toyota SUVs Hold Their Value After 5 Years
Thanks to Toyota’s mechanical simplicity and taking into account ease of maintenance, used car buyers are willing to splurge on a used Toyota.
It’s The Perfect All-Rounder SUV In The Used Market
The RAV4 goes beyond monetary benefits, offering buyers a well-rounded SUV package that ticks most boxes. For instance, the fifth-generation RAV4’s 2.5-liter engine delivers 203 horsepower, which is more than enough for most driving conditions. The available all-wheel drive makes it capable of taking on light off-roading and slippery road conditions, too. And finally, adding a cherry to this cake is its maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
Fits Almost Every Lifestyle With Its Versatility
SUVs are popular today for their versatility, and the RAV4 is no exception. The fifth-gen RAV4 can wear multiple hats: grocery getter, commuter, weekend adventurer, family car, and even a light off-roader. The SUV’s two-row seating also gives it plenty of space for up to five people, along with decent cargo space, making it ideal for small families. It doesn’t disappoint in terms of tech, either, featuring all the essentials of a modern car, including an infotainment system, Toyota Safety Sense, and keyless entry.
The Best Used Toyota You Can Buy Today For Under $20,000
There are many different Toyota vehicles in the used market, but there is one that stands out as the best.
Buying A Used RAV4 In 2025: Best Years And Average Used Prices
Should you buy a used RAV4 in 2025? Definitely. There’s a reason why the used market moves so many RAV4s every year: it’s a dependable SUV that can last for years without burning a hole in your wallet. Of course, if your budget allows, you should go for the newest model you can find. If you don’t care about the latest features, a late fourth-gen model can be a good deal. Depending on the model you choose, you can expect to pay around $19,000 to $38,000 in the used market.
Best Years For RAV4
You can’t go wrong with any RAV4 you pick today; most model years have high reliability ratings. Your best bet, however, is the 2022 model year, which has an 87 out of 100 quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power, the highest among fifth-generation RAV4 models. This year also strikes a good balance between being old enough to be cheap and new enough not to be worn down by age. According to KBB, the price ranges from $24,000 to $32,000, depending on the trim, with the TRD Off-Road being the most expensive.
Another good model year to go for is 2018. Since this was the last of the fourth generation, common issues had already been ironed out, earning it a reliability rating of 88 out of 100 by J.D. Power. Used pricing for this model year ranges from $13,000 to $19,000. On the other hand, be cautious if you’re looking at a 2019 RAV4, which is known for some serious transmission issues, earning it an average reliability rating of 76 out of 100. Apart from this, most model years of the RAV4 in recent years have above-average reliability ratings, and you can’t go wrong with them.
Source: iSeeCars, Kelley Blue Book, J.D. Power, The EPA