2021 Toyota RAV4 Review

Name: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Review
Brand: Toyota

Price Range: $18,111 - $35,780

+449

The 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.

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Quiet interior and comfortable ride quality
Abundant cargo and passenger space
Easy-to-use controls

Cons

Lackluster power from powertrain
Uncomfortable front passenger seat
Vague steering

What's new

No significant changes for 2021
Part of the fifth Toyota RAV4 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling passenger vehicles today. It's easy to understand why: This small SUV has a smooth ride, plenty of space for passengers and cargo, and many standard advanced driver safety features. No doubt the RAV4's long-running status — it debuted all the way back in 1996 as one of the first crossover SUVs — and Toyota's name recognition help too.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$121/mo

$172/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

But this popularity doesn't necessarily mean it's the best. In fact, we rank a few other small SUVs ahead of the RAV4, including the equally popular Honda CR-V and the upscale Mazda CX-5. If you want a RAV4, we're more inclined to recommend the RAV4 Hybrid or the new RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid. They are more powerful and easily justify their higher initial cost. Check out our Expert Rating for our in-depth take on the 2021 RAV4.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

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 Adventure 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 all-wheel-drive 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 smartphone integration. 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.

Which RAV4 does Edmunds recommend?

The RAV4 in midrange XLE Premium trim gets our recommendation. It has enough features and interior upgrades to make it look and feel nicer than supporting models, and delivers it all at a sensible price.

Compare 2021 Toyota RAV4 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2021 Toyota RAV4 models

The 2021 RAV4 is available in six trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road and Limited. All come with a 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on most of the trim levels, and those offer all-wheel drive as an option. The Adventure and the TRD Off-Road come standard with an upgraded all-wheel-drive system that can enhance traction on loose and slippery surfaces.

The RAV4 LE trim may be the base model, but you still get a decent number of features that include:

LED headlights
7-inch touchscreen interface
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
Six-speaker sound system
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of safety features:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the RAV4 and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Automatic high beams
Traffic sign reader

The XLE adds more convenience features such as:

Keyless entry and ignition
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Additional USB charging ports

The XLE Premium dresses up the RAV4 with:

Larger wheels
Slightly raised suspension
Sunroof
Power liftgate
Simulated leather upholstery (Toyota's SofTex)
Soft-touch dashboard materials

The Adventure trim goes without the sunroof and power liftgate but adds some off-road appearance and mechanical elements that include:

Fender flares
Taller roof rails
Selectable terrain drive modes
Hill descent control
8-inch touchscreen

The TRD Off-Road trim gets the sunroof and liftgate back and adds more capabilities with:

All-terrain tires
Off-road-tuned suspension
Unique black trim elements and interior trim

At the top of the range, the Limited builds on the XLE Premium equipment list and adds:

Chrome exterior trim
Heated front seats
Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
8-inch touchscreen
Navigation system
Premium 11-speaker JBL audio system

Some features are available as options on supporting trims. Other notable options are dependent on trim level and include:

Surround-view camera system
Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Heated and ventilated front seats
Wireless charging pad

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota RAV4 from 2008-2022.}

$367/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.69x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.4%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Toyota RAV4 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.5

109 reviews

5(38%)

4(13%)

3(19%)

2(15%)

1(15%)

Write a vehicle review See all 109 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Lost some luster over the years

JohnIL, 05/15/2021

2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

We have purchased several Toyota's over the years. All of them have given us great service. Our latest a 2021 XLE has taken the shine off that impression. We hear whistling noises at highway speeds, the engine is much noisier then previous generation and the transmission is also not as enjoyable. Interior sort of jumps back to a more sterile and cheaper finish. I guess everything is …

mixed relative to previous gen

HanXolo, 06/16/2021

2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Pro: *Fantastic new D4S generation of engine. *Attractive exterior styling. *Updated interior ergonomic and technology. *Same useful utility. Cons: -Vague steering. In fact its night and day worse compare to the previous generation of 2018. -Inferior lumbar support on drivers seat which is painfully noticeable on long trips.

RAV4 ways when Cruise Control & LTA is on

deccan, 11/30/2020

2021 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Yesterday we took the RAV4 on a long distance drive to checkout the features. I like the road sign and lane sway warning feature however we observed the car was swaying and appeared to be difficult to control while traveling around 65-75 mph when LTA and Cruise Control were on. I did not use cruise control during the remainder of the trip. This seems to be a known issue .. too bad we …

no negitive

Luna Rock , 12/02/2021

2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

i am surprise at negitive reviews, I am happy with my rav4. It gets great gas mileage, I am getting 30 mpg combined and after breakin I am expecting alittle better. I do agree the seats are firm but I have had back surgery and it really isnt a problem for me. I find the cabin to be super quiet and I do not hear engine noise on the highway. It is a small suv and I do not expect a …

See all 109 reviews of the Toyota RAV4

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2021 Toyota RAV4 videos

Top 10 Best Compact SUVs | Ranking the Best Small SUVs of 2021

It's the Ford Bronco Sport vs. Subaru Forester in a battle of off-road crossovers. The Bronco Sport is the smaller sibling of the new Ford Bronco, which was revived last year. Though not as potent as the bigger Bronco, the Bronco Sport promises strong off-road capabilities for the…

2021 RAV4 Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$26,350
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$121/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
Acceptable
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Review

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which RAV4 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Toyota RAV4 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Toyota RAV4 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Lost some luster over the years

mixed relative to previous gen

RAV4 ways when Cruise Control & LTA is on

no negitive

2021 Toyota RAV4 videos

Top 10 Best Compact SUVs | Ranking the Best Small SUVs of 2021

2021 RAV4 Highlights

Safety

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2021 Toyota RAV4
LE 4dr SUV

2021 Toyota RAV4
LE 4dr SUV

2021 Toyota RAV4
Adventure 4dr SUV

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}