Overview
The Toyota RAV4’s rugged looks set it apart from much of the compact SUV segment; however, its appearance is mostly a front—especially now that the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models and their torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system are no longer on the menu. Nonetheless, this is a pleasant and capable compact SUV that fits well into most folks’ lives, which generally take place on-road, not off. The RAV4 provides good space for people and their cargo as well as a long list of driver aids and easy-to-use tech. The experience is one of comfort over driver engagement, a point reinforced by a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is relatively frugal but never exciting. The RAV4 is outdone in power output, acceleration, and fuel efficiency by two siblings: the RAV4 hybrid and plug-in-hybrid variants, both of which we review separately. Close nonhybrid competitors to the RAV4 include the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Ford Bronco Sport, all of which are at least a little more interesting to pilot.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
#7 in Best Compact SUVs
Honda CR-V
STARTING AT: $31,4502
Mazda CX-50
STARTING AT: $31,7203
Volkswagen Tiguan
STARTING AT: $30,3054
Mazda CX-5
STARTING AT: $29,9905
Ford Bronco Sport
STARTING AT: $31,5907
Toyota RAV4
STARTING AT: $31,000
What’s New for 2025?
Toyota dropped the rugged-looking Adventure and TRD Off-Road models from the RAV4 lineup for 2025, and the more advanced all-wheel-drive system they came with is gone as well. Therefore, everything else carries over for 2025 unchanged.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’d practice a smidge of restraint and choose the mid-range XLE Premium. It provides plenty of standard equipment that the LE and XLE don’t offer as standard or at all, such as fog lights, 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Furthermore, Toyota makes its suite of driver-assistance features standard across the lineup, so there’s not much reason to go with a pricier trim—unless, of course, you need ventilated seats, a hands-free liftgate, or a 360-degree camera.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
There’s a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine up front making 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard on all RAV4 trims, with all-wheel drive an option. The workaday four-cylinder can be gruff, especially during highway passing attempts; moreover, the transmission on our test vehicle seemed to stumble when called upon for a downshift. Workaday describes the handling as well; the compact crossover is solid and stable when cruising the interstate and competent when pitched into a twisty section of road. However, it doesn’t inspire the same confidence as the driver-friendly Mazda CX-50.
0–60-MPH Times
At our test track, the most recent RAV4 we’ve tested— a now-discontinued TRD Off-Road version—hit 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, about average for this class. The RAV4 Hybrid—reviewed separately—snapped off a quicker 7.4-second time in our testing.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The RAV4 earns class-competitive fuel-economy estimates from the EPA. Front-wheel-drive RAV4s manage an estimated 35 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel-drive models see 33 or 34 mpg there. The all-wheel-drive TRD Off-Road delivered 32 mpg for us on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route. That’s a fairly good result for the class; however, the RAV4 was outdone in that test by the Volkswagen Tiguan, which returned 33 mpg. We’d expect a RAV4 with the simpler all-wheel-drive system—the only one available for 2025—to improve on the TRD Off-Road’s result by a mile per gallon or two. For more information about the RAV4’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The RAV4’s interior prioritizes occupant comfort and cubby storage, but buyers need to shop above the base LE trim for an interior with eye appeal. The base LE keeps its price down with cloth seats, hard black plastics throughout, a leather-free steering wheel, and single-zone manual climate control. The XLE tries a little harder, adding a second, two-tone cabin option as well as a few more features. The XLE Premium cuts the compromises and comes done up with faux-leather upholstery, pleasant plastics, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a stitched-and-padded dashboard and center-console armrest. The RAV4’s rear seats are easy to stow, and they fold to a nearly flat position, opening up the cabin for cargo. We fit 10 of our carry-on suitcases behind the rear seat and 22 with it folded. The Nissan Rogue matched the RAV4 here, but the Subaru Forester beat it by one in each metric.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Lower trims come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, but a 10.5-inch display is available on the XLE Premium and standard on the Limited. The infotainment system includes a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A JBL premium audio system, navigation, and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone are optional. Most models come with a separate 7.0-inch display in the gauge cluster, while a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge display is standard on the Limited.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The RAV4 lineup boasts an array of standard driver assists in most trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alert cost extra on the base model. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Toyota’s warranties toe the industry line with three years of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. Competitive models from Kia, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi offer much longer powertrain warranties. All RAV4 models come with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance—a rarity in this segment.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles
