2010 Toyota RAV4 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2010 Toyota RAV4 is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 25–29 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Toyota RAV4 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.5L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 4-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 230 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2010 Toyota RAV4 across 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 21 to 24 mpg (US), or 25 to 29 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/27) | 230 | $2,800 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (22/28) | 230 | $2,800 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/26) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/27) | 251 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2010 Toyota RAV4
Running Costs: 2010 Toyota RAV4
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2010 Toyota RAV4 at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2010 Toyota RAV4 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Toyota RAV4 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (3), Equipment (3), Seats (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Suspension — campaign 16V596000, reported 12 August 2016. Risk: Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Seats — campaign 16V396000, reported 2 June 2016. Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Seat belts — campaign 16V096000, reported 19 February 2016. Risk: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
- Visibility — campaign 15V689000, reported 22 October 2015. Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a…
Showing the 4 most recent of 14 campaigns.
Owners have filed 400 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Toyota RAV4. The most-reported areas are Suspension (101), Vehicle speed control (83), Power train (38). Complaints include 57 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 27 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 266 complaints across the 17 Toyota RAV4 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2010 Toyota RAV4
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Suspension (3 recall campaigns · 101 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Throttle & cruise control (2 recall campaigns · 83 owner complaints) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
- Transmission & drivetrain (38 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Seats (2 recall campaigns) — Check seat adjusters, head restraints and seat-mounted sensors work, and confirm seat recalls were completed.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Toyota RAV4 compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 23 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Toyota models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2010 Toyota RAV4's 29 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 14 g/km higher than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 17 Toyota RAV4 model years we cover, the 2010 ranks 15th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (29 mpg UK combined, against a high of 52 mpg). See every Toyota RAV4 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2010 Toyota RAV4
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2010 Toyota RAV4: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.5L 4-cyl with a automatic 4-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Toyota RAV4?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 25 to 29 mpg.
How much does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Toyota RAV4 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (3), Equipment (3), Seats (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2010 Toyota RAV4?
Among the 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Suspension (101 complaints), Vehicle speed control (83 complaints), Power train (38 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Toyota RAV4's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.