2020 Toyota RAV4 Review

Name: 2020 Toyota RAV4
Brand: Toyota

Price Range: $15,987 - $32,998

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2020 RAV4 is a pleasant SUV that rides smoothly, has a roomy interior that's easy to live with, and offers plenty of utility. It brakes and handles in a confident way, and it's fuel-efficient. The merely satisfactory engine and indifferent steering, however, prevent it from being a top choice for a small SUV.

See all features & specs

Price & Payment

Select year

Average price: $24,605

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2020 Toyota RAV4

Pros

Quiet interior and comfortable ride quality
Abundant cargo and passenger space
Controls are easy to use

Cons

Lackluster power from base powertrain
no other engines available
Uncomfortable front passenger seat
Vague steering means you'll sometimes misjudge your inputs

What's new

New TRD Off-Road trim
Newly added Android Auto smartphone integration
Minor revisions to standard feature availability
Part of the fifth Toyota RAV4 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

11/18/2019

Toyota redesigned its popular RAV4 just last year. This new model gained a variety of improvements such as a more powerful engine, more safety features and bolder styling. These changes have no doubt bolstered the RAV4's popularity, and it continues to be one of the best-selling vehicles in America. But when we've compared it to the competition, we've found it falls short of the mark set by the class leaders.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

99 listings

Sort by:

2020 Toyota RAV4
Base 4dr SUV
$15,987
great price
$2,406 below market
- 134,115 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 5 Seats, 27 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- CarPalace (8 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
Discover Your Dream Car at CARPALACE - Quality Used Cars, Unbeatable Prices!At CARPALACE, we're passionate about helping you find the perfect vehicle ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (27 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2T3H1RFV6LC078548
Stock: 2025441
Certified Pre-Owned: No
New Listing
2020 Toyota RAV4
LE 4dr SUV
$20,185
great price
$2,719 below market
- 59,159 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 27 City / 34 Hwy MPG
- Cartown (19 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
Visit Car Town to shop our great deals. You can call��571-359-6100 to schedule your test drive today.All our Vehicles goes through VA safety inspectio...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (27 City/34 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTMG1RFVXLD051764
Stock: cti2456t
Certified Pre-Owned: No

See all for sale

Certainly, it has some appealing qualities. The RAV4 is roomy inside and has plenty of space for rear passengers and cargo. It also comes standard with an array of advanced driver safety aids such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. For 2020, Toyota has also added Android Auto smartphone integration (a boon for Samsung, Pixel and other non-iPhone users) and introduced a new RAV4 TRD Off-Road model.

On the downside, the RAV4's engine, improved as it may be, is still underwhelming. It's not especially powerful and gets noisy when you stand on the gas. And unlike some rival small SUVs, there's no optional engine you can upgrade to if you want quicker acceleration. We're also disappointed with the lack of comfort for the RAV4's front seats and the vague steering, which doesn't give you a good feel for the road.

Granted, these aren't huge issues, and the RAV4 is certainly a competent SUV. But we think you'll find a few other models more appealing overall. These include the well-rounded Honda CR-V, the sporty Mazda CX-5 and the value-packed Hyundai Tucson. You should also check out the RAV4 Hybrid, which is both quicker and more fuel-efficient than the regular RAV4. Finally, the Jeep Cherokee and the Subaru Forester are worthwhile choices if you're interested in doing some light off-roading.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.7

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Toyota RAV4 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

How does the RAV4 drive? The RAV4 doesn't impress here, unfortunately. The engine is willing around town, and passing and merging are drama-free. But if you're in a huge rush, you might notice the engine's ultimately modest power delivery. In Edmunds testing, our RAV4 test vehicle needed 9.1 seconds to cover 0-60 mph, which is slightly slower than the class average.

Another gripe we have is with the steering, which is vague at the center point and doesn't have appropriate levels of feel and heft. As such, it's easy to misjudge your level of input. In better news, the RAV4's optional upgraded AWD system includes rear-axle torque vectoring and more advanced traction control systems with selectable terrain settings and hill descent control. These systems, plus respectable ground clearance, give the RAV4 Adventure above-average off-road ability for a small SUV.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the RAV4? The RAV4's suspension is tuned to strike a good balance between control and softness. The body doesn't bound or float when you drive over bumps, and small to moderate impacts are absorbed without much drama. As for the front seats, they are nicely sculpted and padded appropriately, but the seat bottoms begin to feel flat on longer drives. The passenger side's lack of adjustment can also make it difficult to find a comfortable position.

At highway speeds, the RAV4 is generally quiet. The exception is when you hit the gas for a burst of speed, at which point the engine sound gets rather coarse. We do like the climate system's performance. Air distribution is ideal, with forward vents that can be closed off completely and vents for the rear seat.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The driving position, roominess, and ease of entry and exit are all good. But the RAV4 would score higher if the front passenger seat wasn't set so high or could be adjusted down. The driver's seat and steering wheel have a good range of adjustment, but tall drivers might want a smidge more of each. Outward visibility is praiseworthy.

The control layout is intuitive with large, easy-to-read labeling. The audio system and climate system controls are islands unto themselves, and everything else is right where you expect it to be. The big rubberized climate control knobs are nice too. Our only gripe is that the touchscreen is too far away from the driver. The tuning knob, in particular, requires a reach to twist.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The RAV4's interface has a mix of touchscreen and fixed buttons that are easy to learn without consulting the owner's manual. But even though the RAV4 is relatively new, the touchscreen's graphics look dated. The sound system works well enough, but it's nothing special. You do get standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto this year. It's a good thing too since Toyota's native Entune software remains clunky.

The standard suite of driver aids is impressive. It includes adaptive cruise control that works down to 0 mph, automatic emergency braking, drowsy driver detection, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist, and something called Line Tracing Assist, which is an active (but not hands-free) steering aid.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The RAV4's cargo hold is nearly the biggest in its class. You get 37.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 69.8 cubic feet with them stowed. The RAV4 is also easy to load thanks to a low cargo floor. Up front, the cabin has numerous shelves and bins to handle assorted road-trip paraphernalia. If you're planning on towing, certain versions of the RAV4 can pull up to 3,500 pounds, which is above average for a small SUV.

Parents with young kids will appreciate the RAV4. It's easy to locate and connect safety seats to the lower car seat anchors. Likewise, tethering to the three upper anchors is straightforward. Forward-facing seats and boosters fit readily, but installing a rear-facing infant seat on the passenger side will likely require scooting the front seat up. The too-high front passenger seat is the issue.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the RAV4 will get 27-30 mpg in combined city/highway driving, depending on the powertrain and trim level. We drove an AWD Adventure carrying three people, equipment and luggage for more than 7,000 miles. And over a variety of road and weather conditions, we averaged 28.6 mpg. Our best tank was 32.3 mpg and the worst was 25.6 mpg.

Value

8/10

Is the RAV4 a good value? The RAV4 is well built inside, with nice layered materials and seams that are invisible because they're built into the styling. It has tactile touches such as rubberized grip surfaces on the interior door pulls and the radio and climate knobs. The RAV4's optional simulated leather upholstery feels soft and pliable, and the stitching is tidy. Toyota's warranty coverage is average, but you do get a generous two years/25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

Driving a RAV4 isn't a chore, but it's not particularly memorable either. It's at its best when you go with the Adventure or TRD Off-Road trim level. The advanced torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system, capable traction control system with multiple terrain settings, and styling that's a little more rugged help the RAV4 stand out a little more.

2020 Toyota RAV4 trim level differences

The 2020 RAV4 is available in six trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road and Limited. Every trim level comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (203 horsepower, 184 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trim levels aside from the Adventure and the TRD Off-Road, which get all-wheel drive. Otherwise, all-wheel drive is optional. Compare the 2020 Toyota RAV4 trim levels in-depth.

Which RAV4 trim does Edmunds recommend?

There really seems to be a RAV4 to fit any need and budget, but the XLE Premium trim strikes a good balance between features and price. Its power liftgate, in particular, is a worthwhile upgrade. The Adventure and the new TRD Off-Road trims are worthy picks if you're planning on at least occasional trips on dirt roads and trails.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$135/mo

$199/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Year

Make

Model

See pricing history

Reliability

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 6 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #4 out of 29 among Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#4 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$367/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

0.69x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

7.4%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

6 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 23V865000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 23TA15, 23
Number of vehicles affected:: 999901
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Defect Consequence:: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. This is a phased recall. The next phase is anticipated in June 2025. Multiple phases are planned through 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Recall Number:: 20V734000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20TB17/20T
Number of vehicles affected:: 161
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 18, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

Recall Number:: 20V682000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20TA02, 20
Number of vehicles affected:: 1517721
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Defect Consequence:: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning November 23, 2020. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

Recall Number:: 20V373000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20TB11 / 2
Number of vehicles affected:: 46
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
Defect Consequence:: A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.

Recall Number:: 20V286000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20TB08 / 2
Number of vehicles affected:: 9502
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.
Defect Consequence:: If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.

Recall Number:: 20V064000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: See report
Number of vehicles affected:: 44191
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
Defect Consequence:: A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 2 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 25,000 miles

Toyota RAV4 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.4

120 reviews

5(38%)

4(12%)

3(15%)

2(18%)

1(17%)

See all 120 reviews of the Toyota RAV4

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Toyota RAV4 video

Toyota RAV4 vs. Nissan Rogue vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Mazda CX-5! Best SUV for 2020 Comparison Test

Carlos Lago and Elana Scherr compare four of the most popular and best small SUVs in America to find out which is the best SUV for sale in 2020. In this video, we evaluate the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 2021 Nissan Rogue, 2020 Toyota RAV4 and 2020 Mazda CX-5 to give you all the information you need, including mpg, cargo space, interior features, specs and more. Join us for this…

2020 RAV4 Features & Specs

Trim:

Base

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$25,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$135/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	37.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the RAV4 models:

Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection: Detects and warns of potential front impacts, including one involving a pedestrian or cyclist, and automatically engages the brakes.
Blind-Spot Monitoring: Monitors your blind spots for other vehicles, illuminating a warning signal on the outside mirrors.
Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist: Monitors the vehicle's position in its lane and corrects steering to avoid unintentionally leaving the lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

People who viewed this also viewed

Honda CR-V
4.1 average Rating out of 41 reviews.
Starting at $30,920

See Honda CR-V Inventory

Hyundai Tucson
4.8 average Rating out of 12 reviews.
Starting at $29,450

See Hyundai Tucson Inventory

Kia Sportage Hybrid
4.8 average Rating out of 9 reviews.
Starting at $30,490

See Kia Sportage Hybrid Inventory

2020 Toyota RAV4 Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2020 Toyota RAV4 trim level differences

Which RAV4 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Toyota RAV4 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Toyota RAV4 video

2020 RAV4 Features & Specs

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed