Toyota RAV4 Top Accessories for Families

The Toyota RAV4 has become one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in Australia, and it’s easy to see why so many families choose it as their go-to vehicle. With its spacious interior, impressive fuel efficiency, and family-friendly features, the RAV4 strikes the perfect balance between everyday practicality and weekend adventure. To help families get even more out of their RAV4, we sat down with Jon Wimhurst one of our experienced Toyota sales consultants at Brisbane’s Downtown Toyota, to talk about his top accessories for families,  including the ones he chose for his own RAV4.

What is it about the Toyota RAV4 that makes it such a popular choice for families?

Jon Wimhurst: Wow, there’s a list that could take up too much of your recording tape. The RAV has become one of the most popular mid-size SUVs on the planet, especially here in Australia. I actually own one myself, it’s my wife’s daily driver.

The fuel range in the hybrid RAV is incredible. You’re getting around 930–940 kilometres from a tank. In our case, I fill it every three to four weeks. My wife drives to work five days a week, and she often visits her sister down at Mount Tamborine on weekends, yet I’m still only topping it up every few weeks. That’s how good the range is.

The hybrid technology itself is excellent. When the car’s sitting at lights, reversing, or even moving forward up to about 10 km/h, it’s running purely off the hybrid battery, not petrol. It’s very clever tech.

Then there’s the size, comfort, and features. As you move up through the models, you get a lot of family-friendly additions. We’ve got the RAV4 Cruiser, which gives my wife heated and cooled leather seats, memory settings for the driver’s seat (so we each have our own positions), and a power tailgate. That tailgate is great when you’ve got arms full of groceries, school bags, or luggage, just press the button on the key fob or the back door, and it opens or closes for you.

You’ve also got overhead cameras, every safety feature you could think of, and overall a package that’s just very practical. Honestly, the list could go on for days.

How do the needs of family buyers differ from other RAV4 owners?

Jon Wimhurst: Families obviously want space and practicality. A typical family, two adults and two kids, fits comfortably. There’s good rear-seat room with a centre armrest, cupholders, and USB ports so kids can charge their devices. Up front, you’ve got wireless phone charging in most models, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That means you can run your own maps, messages, and apps straight on the screen.

Other RAV4 buyers might focus more on fuel economy or features. For example, my kids are grown up and moved out, so most of the time it’s just my wife in the car, maybe our niece now and then. For us, it’s about fuel range, comfort, and reliability. But for families who don’t need a massive four-wheel drive or wagon, the RAV is the perfect size.

If you had to choose your top five must-have RAV4 accessories for families, what would they be?

Jon Wimhurst: Let’s start with what I’ve got in mine.

1. Cargo Mat, A heavy-duty rubber cargo mat that covers the entire boot area. Perfect for families heading to the beach or out on adventures — wet towels, sandy gear, muddy shoes, even camping equipment can all go straight on the mat. Because it’s thick rubber, nothing seeps through to the carpet underneath, and it creates a contained space that’s easy to clean. It also stops items sliding around in the boot, keeping everything more secure and your interior protected.
2. Fold-Out Scuff Protector, This is a little mat that folds out from the boot floor over the rear bumper bar. It’s a simple idea, but really handy when you’re loading in suitcases, bags, or anything heavy. It gives you that bit of protection so you’re not scratching or chipping the paint as things slide in. Families also use it when the kids are chucking their scooters, bikes, or sports gear in the back, it just helps minimise any damage to the rear bar while still keeping things practical.
3. Headlight and Bonnet Protectors, Toyota headlights are polycarbonate, so they’re virtually and I say “virtually” bulletproof. But it’s still nice to have that extra bit of protection. If a rock flicks up, it’ll hit the cover first rather than your headlight. Same with the bonnet protector: its job is to deflect stones coming off the road up and over the windscreen, rather than smacking straight into the bonnet. They’re simple accessories, but they really do their job well.
4. Side Steps, Not essential, but definitely handy if you’ve got younger kids or family members who are a bit shorter. The side steps give them that extra foothold to climb in and out more easily. The RAV4 isn’t an overly tall vehicle, but even so, that little bit of extra help can make a difference. I’ve had a few of my owners fit them for exactly that reason, just to make the car a bit more practical for smaller children and family members.
5. Floor Mats (Rubber Option), Every RAV4 comes with mats as standard, either carpet or rubber depending on the model. In the Cruiser, for example, you get carpet mats included, but many of my customers will still order a set of rubber mats as well. That way they’ve got both. Families often swap between the two, carpet mats for day-to-day driving, and the rubber mats for camping trips, dirt roads, or wet weather. Rubber is just so much easier to clean than trying to scrub mud and grit out of carpet. I’ve even got one customer who’s a bit pedantic, when it rains, he’ll actually change his mats over to rubber because he knows water and muck are going to get tracked in, then swap back to carpet once the weather clears.

What about roof racks?

Jon Wimhurst: Roof racks are a big one for families who love the outdoors. Once they’re on, you’ve got the flexibility to add all sorts of carriers, bikes, kayaks, skis, you name it. We’ve got genuine Toyota carriers available to fit straight on, so you can tailor it to what your family enjoys doing on weekends. Some families want to put a couple of bikes up there and head off travelling, others are kayak people, and for the ski crowd you can fit a ski carrier too. It really just depends on your lifestyle, but having those roof racks gives you the option to set the car up exactly how you want it for family adventures.

Any other accessories you’d recommend, even if they didn’t quite make the “top five”?

Jon Wimhurst: Two come to mind.

• Door Handle Paint Protection, This is a little clear strip that sticks inside the recess of the door handle on the outside of the car. Because most RAV4 models are keyless entry and exit, you’re constantly putting your hand over that handle to unlock it. Over time, that can lead to scratches in the paint, from rings, fingernails, keys, or just everyday use. The protector is such a simple idea, but it saves that paintwork from wearing and keeps the car looking newer for longer.
• Dash Cam, Toyota offers a genuine forward-view dash camera, and honestly, I can’t recommend it enough. We’ve got one in our own RAV4, and it’s already proved its worth. My wife had a cyclist come straight out from between two cars into her car, and the camera footage was able to prove what had happened, how it happened, when it happened. So I think there in today's society, probably a useful addition to people that are using their car every day.

And what about your own RAV4, what accessories did you personally choose?

Jon Wimhurst: For ours, we went with the cargo mat, rear scuff guard, weather shields, headlight covers, the dash cam, window tint, and the interior/exterior protection pack.

For families buying a new RAV4, would you recommend adding accessories at purchase, or can they wait and add them later?

Jon Wimhurst: My advice is always: get them at purchase if you can. Make a list of the things you want, and we’ll go through them with you — show you what they are, why they’re good, and how they’ll benefit your family. Then you can work out what fits your budget.

The reality is, when people say, “I’ll come back in a couple of months and do that,” they often never do. Life gets in the way, and then something happens down the track where that particular accessory would have been really useful — but because it wasn’t on the car, it’s too late. That can lead to regret.

That’s why I suggest adding them up front. Not only do you get the accessories from day one, but if they’re Toyota Genuine and fitted at the time of purchase, they’re covered by the full five-year vehicle warranty. It’s peace of mind and convenience rolled into one.

The Right Accessories Can Make A Big Difference

From extra protection in the boot to keeping the cabin family-ready with all-weather mats, the right accessories can make a big difference in everyday life with your RAV4. Whether it’s weekends at the beach, school runs, or family road trips, Toyota Genuine Accessories are designed to make ownership easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

If you’re considering a RAV4 or looking to personalise your current one, visit Downtown Toyota to explore the full range of accessories and see how they can be tailored to your family’s lifestyle. Our team can walk you through the options, help you build the perfect package, and even include them with your new vehicle purchase under Toyota’s five-year warranty. Book a test drive or chat with us today and get your RAV4 ready for family adventures.