1997 Toyota RAV4 Gas Tank Size and Capacity

SUV 4 trims listed ← 1996 1998 →

Fuel tank capacity

15.3gal · 58 L

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 has a fuel tank capacity of 15.3 gallons (58 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 367–398 highway miles or 291–321 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

15.3 gal · Smaller than 81% of 1997 models we list.

Highway range
367–398 mi
City range
291–321 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
21–23 MPG
EPA size class
Special Purpose Vehicles

1997 Toyota RAV4 fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Drive
no difference

All 4 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
2dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 21 / 26Range 321 / 398 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M FWD 15.3 gal58 L 21 / 26 321 / 398 mi
2dr SUV AWD 2.0L 4cyl 5M · AWD MPG 19 / 24Range 291 / 367 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M AWD 15.3 gal58 L 19 / 24 291 / 367 mi
4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 21 / 26Range 321 / 398 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M FWD 15.3 gal58 L 21 / 26 321 / 398 mi
4dr SUV AWD 2.0L 4cyl 5M · AWD MPG 19 / 24Range 291 / 367 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M AWD 15.3 gal58 L 19 / 24 291 / 367 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 1997 Toyota RAV4 goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 23 MPG, a full 15.3-gallon tank covers about 352 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full15.3398321
3/411.5298241
1/27.7199161
1/43.89980
1/81.95040

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 652 gallons, roughly 43 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 21.9 MPG in the RAV4 (10 drivers), about 335 miles on a full 15.3-gallon tank.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
21–23 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
386–423 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings ↗

What it costs to fill up a 1997 Toyota RAV4

$65.33 to fill the 15.3-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
15.3 galRegular$4.27$65.33$49.00

By region, 15.3-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$61.51
Midwest$4.27$65.33
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$56.61
Rocky Mountain$4.46$68.24
West Coast$5.42$82.93
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$90.12

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 15.3-gallon tank$65.33
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,785

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

RAV4 tank size in other years

The 1997 RAV4 uses the same 15.3 gal tank as the 1996 model.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2002 RAV4 14.7 gal 412 mi
2001 RAV4 14.7 gal 412 mi
2000 RAV4 15.3 gal 413 mi
1999 RAV4 15.3 gal 413 mi
1998 RAV4 15.3 gal 413 mi
1997 RAV4 15.3 gal 398 mi
1996 RAV4 15.3 gal 413 mi
Toyota RAV4 fuel tank by model year

1997 Toyota RAV4 vs similar 1997 SUVs

At 15.3 gallons, the RAV4's largest tank ranks second of the three 1997 SUVs compared here. The Suzuki Sidekick carries the most (18.5 gal) and the Geo Tracker the least (14.5 gal).

1997 modelTankLongest highway range
Suzuki Sidekick 11.1–18.5 gal 426 mi
Toyota RAV4 15.3 gal 398 mi
Geo Tracker 11.1–14.5 gal 348 mi

Picked by body style and size: other 1997 SUVs within about 5% of the RAV4's length and 15% of its curb weight, one model per brand.

1997 Toyota RAV4 fuel pump and gauge parts

These are the part numbers the makers list for the 1997 Toyota RAV4. Check NHTSA for an open recall first: recall repairs are free.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1997 Toyota RAV4?

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 holds 15.3 gallons (58 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 1997 Toyota RAV4 gas tank hold?

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 tank holds 58 liters, or 15.3 gallons in US gallons.

Does AWD change the 1997 Toyota RAV4 gas tank?

No. FWD and AWD versions of the 1997 Toyota RAV4 use the same 15.3 gal tank.

How far can a 1997 Toyota RAV4 go on a full tank?

About 367–398 miles on the highway and 291–321 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 1997 Toyota RAV4 go on a quarter tank?

About 99 highway miles or 80 in town from the 15.3-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.8 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 1997 Toyota RAV4 really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 21.9 MPG in the 1997 Toyota RAV4 (10 drivers), which works out to about 335 miles on a full 15.3-gallon tank.

What gas does the 1997 Toyota RAV4 take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 1997 Toyota RAV4?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 15.3-gallon tank from empty costs $65.33. It ranges from $56.61 in the Gulf Coast to $90.12 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 Toyota RAV4?

About 95 pounds for the 15.3-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1997 Toyota RAV4 have a bigger gas tank than the Geo Tracker?

Yes. The 1997 Toyota RAV4 holds up to 15.3 gallons; the 1997 Geo Tracker holds up to 14.5.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, cross-checked against a second spec database. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026.
  • Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 1997 Toyota models