Check Out The New Look Of 2020 Toyota RAV4

 

From spartan to swanky to outdoors, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 has something for almost everyone. The basic LE covers the economic end of the spectrum, while the well-equipped Limited and TRD off-road models offer impressive amounts of equipment for two very different types of buyers. Regardless of which equipment you choose, the RAV4 is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional on the LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited models and standard on the Adventure and TRD off-road models. The angular look of the RAV4 is inspired by the 4Runner SUV and Tacoma pickup, but its car-based construction offers a quieter ride than any of these trucks. The interiors are spacious and the selected materials are durable. Buyers looking for modern comfort features such as electrically adjustable seats, push-button start, and blind spot monitoring should avoid the entry-level model.

 

What's Recent for 2021?

A plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime complements the range, and the hybrid model receives new XLE Premium equipment. We reviewed the two hybrid models separately.

It offers a variety of standard equipment that the LE and XLE do not offer, such as 19-inch wheels, a power tailgate, two-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Toyota offers a number of driver assistance features across the entire product range. As a result, there aren't many reasons to go for more expensive gear, unless you really want ventilated seats.

 

Interior, comfort and cargo

 

Inside, the RAV4 attaches great importance to ergonomics and storage space. A useful shelf spans the dashboard and complements the large center console. The basic trim with the designation LE is quite spartan and has fabric seats, a plastic steering wheel and a manual climate zone with one zone. With the next-tier XLE, Toyota has some perks, but the XLE Premium has a lot more going for it, including synthetic leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and a stitched and padded dashboard and center console armrest. The rear seats of the RAV4 are easy to stow and fold almost flat, opening the cabin for cargo.

Infotainment and connectivity

The lower panels have a 7.0-inch touchscreen, but an 8.0-inch touchscreen is available from XLE. The infotainment system includes a mobile 4G LTE hotspot as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions. A JBL Premium audio system, navigation and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone are optional. If you opt for an equipment variant without GPS. All other models are equipped with Scout GPS Link, which enables compatible smartphones to display a map and turn-by-turn directions on the Dash-top screen.

Engine, transmission and power

The 2021 RAV4 used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Adventure model is equipped with four-wheel drive, which, if necessary, can disconnect the rear axle in order to reduce fuel consumption. On our test track, the RAV4 turned out to be faster than its predecessor. The dutiful four-cylinder can get noisy, especially when attempting to overtake freeway.

Fuel consumption and real MPG

The RAV4 has received competitive fuel economy estimates from the EPA. Front-wheel drive RAV4s can achieve up to 35 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive Adventure delivers up to 200-mile route with a fuel economy of 32 MPG, 1 MPG less than the EPA's estimated rating for this equipment. That ranks on par with the Honda CR-V and is a huge improvement over the 2018 Adventure model (which only managed 25 mpg), but it's beaten by the Volkswagen Tiguan, which delivered 33 mpg.