The Toyota RAV4 is a true superstar on American roads. It’s one of the best-selling SUVs out there, and for good reason! People love it because it’s super practical, known for its amazing reliability, and offers a great mix of features, whether you’re commuting to work, picking up the kids, or heading out for a weekend adventure.
Bold Style That Stands Out
The latest RAV4 models have a rugged and modern look. It sports a strong front grille, sleek lines, and a confident stance. It looks equally at home cruising city streets or tackling a dirt road to your favorite hiking spot.
Inside: Roomy, Comfy, and Tech-Filled
Step inside a RAV4, and you’ll find a cabin that feels spacious and well-thought-out. Toyota has really focused on making it both comfortable and easy to use.
- Plenty of Room for Everyone: The RAV4 comfortably seats five people, and there’s ample headroom and legroom for adults in both the front and back. Even on longer trips, passengers will feel at ease.
- Smart Storage: You’ll appreciate the clever storage spots throughout the cabin, including a good-sized center console. The cargo area is a major plus, offering a generous 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. If you need more room for bigger items, simply fold down the rear seats to open up a massive 69.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
- Easy-to-Use Technology: A touchscreen infotainment system is front and center, typically ranging from 8 to 10.5 inches. It usually comes with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, so you can seamlessly connect your smartphone for navigation, music, and apps. Higher trims might also offer a larger digital display for the driver and a premium JBL® sound system.
- Comfortable Ride: The seats are designed for support, making long drives more enjoyable. Plus, the cabin is well-insulated, helping to keep road noise out for a quieter ride.
Driving Experience and Fuel Efficiency
The Toyota RAV4 offers a smooth and confident driving experience. It feels steady on the highway and handles easily in city traffic.
- Engine Power: Most RAV4s come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 203 horsepower. It’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth power delivery for daily driving and highway passing.
- Excellent Gas Mileage: The RAV4 is very efficient for an SUV!
- Gas-powered models typically get an EPA-estimated 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, for a combined 30 MPG.
- If you choose the RAV4 Hybrid, you’ll get even better numbers, often reaching an EPA-estimated 41 MPG city / 38 MPG highway / 39 MPG combined.
- For the ultimate in efficiency, the RAV4 Prime (a plug-in hybrid) offers an incredible EPA-estimated 42 miles of electric-only range and a combined 94 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) when both gas and electric power are used.
- Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD): For extra grip in tricky weather or on light off-road trails, you can get the RAV4 with a capable All-Wheel Drive system. On some gas models, you can even get Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD for enhanced handling.
Top-Notch Safety Features
Toyota is well-known for prioritizing safety, and the RAV4 comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assist features called Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5). Many of these come standard on all models, giving you greater peace of mind.
- Key Standard Safety Features: This robust package typically includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: This system helps detect vehicles, pedestrians, and even bicyclists, and can automatically apply the brakes to help avoid or lessen a collision.
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: This is an advanced cruise control that not only maintains your set speed but also keeps a safe distance from the car ahead, even in stop-and-go traffic.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: If you start to drift out of your lane without signaling, this system warns you and can gently steer you back.
- Lane Tracing Assist: When cruise control is on, this feature helps keep the RAV4 centered in its lane.
- Automatic High Beams: These automatically switch between high and low beams at night when they detect oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead.
- Road Sign Assist: This system can recognize certain road signs (like speed limits) and display them on your dashboard.
- High Safety Ratings: The RAV4 consistently earns top safety ratings from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), often receiving 5-star overall ratings.
Price (MSRP)
The Toyota RAV4 offers a variety of trims to fit different budgets and needs. For the latest model year, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a new Toyota RAV4 typically starts around $29,550 for the base gas-powered LE trim. If you’re looking at the RAV4 Hybrid, prices generally start around $32,600. The more powerful and efficient RAV4 Prime (Plug-in Hybrid) usually starts around $44,565. Prices go up for higher trim levels and additional features.
The Toyota RAV4 is a fantastic and highly popular SUV in the U.S. It offers a winning combination of comfort, versatility, excellent fuel economy across its different powertrains, and a strong focus on safety. It’s truly a smart and dependable choice for almost any American driver.