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2021 Toyota RAV4

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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• Highs Truckish good looks, car-like road manners, driver-assistance features are standard.
• Lows Spartan entry-level model, engine moans and groans, top trims can be pricey.
• Verdict A likable, practical, roomy compact SUV offered in enough different flavors to satisfy a wide variety of tastes.

Overview

From spartan to swanky to outdoorsy, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 offers something for almost everyone, which earned it an Editors’ Choice award. The base LE covers the economical end of the spectrum while the well-equipped Limited and TRD Off-Road models offer impressive amounts of equipment aimed at two very different types of buyers. No matter which trim you choose, the RAV4 comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is optional on the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited, and standard on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models. The RAV4’s square-jawed looks are inspired by the 4Runner SUV and Tacoma pickup truck, but its car-based construction delivers a smoother ride than either of those trucks. Interior accommodations are spacious and the materials chosen are durable, but those buyers seeking modern-day convenience features such as power-adjustable seats, push-button start, and blind-spot monitoring will want to avoid the entry-level model.

What’s New for 2021?

Toyota has made only one change to the RAV4 for the 2021 model year: Blizzard Pearl replaces Super White on the color palette. A plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime joins the lineup, and the hybrid model gets a new XLE Premium trim; we review the two hybrid models separately.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

It’s hard for us to resist the cool new TRD Off-Road, but we’d practice restraint and choose the mid-range XLE Premium. It provides plenty of standard equipment that the LE and XLE don’t offer, such as 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. 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 really want ventilated seats.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2021 RAV4 uses a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive remains standard, but Toyota now offers a choice of all-wheel-drive systems, dependent on trim. The Adventure model we drove was equipped with an all-wheel-drive system that can disconnect the rear axle when needed to improve fuel economy. At our test track, the RAV4 proved to be quicker than its predecessor: We recorded a 60-mph time of 8.0 seconds with the 2019 model and 8.3 seconds with the 2018. The dutiful four-cylinder can be noisy, especially during highway-passing attempts, and the transmission on our test vehicle seemed to stumble when called upon for a downshift. The RAV4 Hybrid—reviewed separately—snapped off an even quicker 7.4-second 60-mph time in our hands. The RAV4 feels solid and stable when cruising the interstate and holds its own when pitched into a twisty section of road, but it doesn’t inspire the same confidence as our segment favorite, the Mazda CX-5.

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.

• Highs Strong acceleration, driver-assistance tech is standard, roomy cabin.
• Lows Prices start above $30,000, uninvolving handling, most desirable features quickly increase the price.
• Verdict The RAV4 Hybrid and Prime bring Toyota’s well-respected hybrid-technology expertise to the popular compact-SUV segment.

Overview

Full-electric and hybrid powertrains continue to spread rapidly throughout the automotive industry, so it’s no surprise that hybrid-car specialist Toyota offers a RAV4 Hybrid and plug-in hybrid RAV4 called the Prime. The Japanese automaker has applied the lessons learned from its Prius hybrid to its entry in the far trendier compact-SUV class. Based on the regular nonhybrid RAV4 (reviewed separately), the RAV4 Hybrid and Prime offer similar practicality and features with much better fuel efficiency and, in the case of the Prime, respectable electric-only driving range, which earned it an Editors’ Choice award. These electrified Toyotas aren’t alone in the segment—hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, the Ford Escape, and the Mitsubishi Outlander are also available—but they are well-equipped to compete for your hard-earned dollar.

What’s New for 2021?

The standard RAV4 Hybrid receives a new mid-range XLE Premium trim for 2021, but the big news this year is the introduction of the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime models. The RAV4 Prime is the most powerful RAV4 offered with a total of 302 horsepower between its gas engine and electric motors; it also offers a claimed 42 miles of electric-only driving per charge.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

If you can qualify for the $7500 electric-vehicle tax credit, the RAV4 Prime is a no-brainer, as the government’s financial incentive lowers its price substantially—and you get a RAV4 with more power and significant electric-only driving range. Of the two Prime models, the XSE is packed with more standard features, including 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, and an infotainment system with a larger 9.0-inch display. If you don’t qualify for the tax credit, we’d recommend the XLE Hybrid, which offers more standard equipment than the base LE without suffering much of an uptick in price. Buyers of the XLE will enjoy conveniences such as passive keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, LED projector headlamps with automatic high-beams, heated exterior mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, and front fog lamps.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s assisted by two electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard—one of the electric motors powers the rear wheels and the second motor and the gasoline engine drive the fronts—as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Not only is the RAV4 Hybrid more efficient than the unelectrified model, it’s also quicker. It snapped off a 7.4-second 60-mph time in our hands while the gas-only model needed 8.0 seconds to perform the same task. Drivers will feel that pep, too, particularly around town, where the electric motor’s gratifyingly immediate power delivery gives it an extra shove when taking off from a stop. If you want even more performance, the Prime model is happy to oblige. In our testing, the RAV4 Prime skipped to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. Like the standard RAV4, the hybrid and Prime models’ handling is competent and its ride is comfortable, but don’t expect any cornering heroics here.

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Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a practical family SUV that has a roomy cabin, plenty of standard equipment and an economical hybrid system, but alternatives have tech that’s easier to use.

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What’s good

• Practical cabin with good passenger space
• Comfortable to drive
• Hybrid comes as standard

What’s not so good

• Some scratchy cabin plastics
• Awkward and noisy CVT gearbox
• No through-loading from boot to rear seat

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: what would you like to read next?

Is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a good car?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is an affordable family SUV with a spacious cabin and a big boot.

No one really thinks of the RAV4 as a trailblazer, but rumour has it that Adam and Eve learned to drive in one. Basically, back in 1994 it was the first of the small ‘leisure SUVs’ which these days are seen on just about every street in the UK.

The RAV4 Hybrid now has a wide range of alternatives, such as the Honda CR-V and VW Tiguan, but in its latest form stands out from these cars thanks to its super-angular looks.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a mishmash of creases, angular shapes and blunt surfaces whichever angle you approach from. Its gaping octagonal grille looks more like it belongs on a menacing sports saloon than a practical family runabout. You might like it, but your neighbour might not, or vice-versa. In any case, it’s certainly striking.

Sadly (or not, depending on your view) the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is less daring inside. It combines simple surfaces, clean lines and posh-looking metal-effect trims that look pretty understated and rather classy and most of the surfaces you’ll touch regularly feel plush and sturdy. There are some scratchy plastics however and it’s not quite as solid-feeling as a VW Tiguan. Still, it looks much more exciting than a Honda CR-V.

One area of improvement is the infotainment system, which now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is much quicker to respond than systems of old.

The seats are very supportive; in mid-range models, you get lumbar support and plenty of electric adjustment that means even taller folk will find space to stretch out.

The striking Toyota RAV4 makes a good alternative to the crop of humdrum family SUVs – especially if you rank practicality and running costs above sporty handling.

If you’re designated driver for a burly five-a-side football team then everyone will fit in just fine and even entry-level cars will allow you to recline the seat backs by a few degrees.

You won’t break a sweat fitting a child seat either – the Isofix points are easy to find – and a wide opening and flat floor means sliding things into the Toyota RAV4’s boot is an easy task.

There is more room than the boot in the Honda CR-V and, even though there are no levers in the boot to do so, you can flip the back seats down flat to carry really big stuff – such as a bike.

The simplicity extends to the engine range and driving experience, too. The only engine option is a hybrid system and this lets you cruise almost silently around town using just the power of its electric motor. You get an automatic gearbox as standard, too, which means you can cruise around town without constantly reaching for the gear lever.

The downside of the auto ‘box is that it makes the 2.5-litre petrol engine rev loudly every time you put your foot down. It’s reasonably quiet when you’re cruising at motorway speeds, though, and the RAV4 irons out bumps pretty well, too. As an added bonus, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting close to Toyota’s top claimed fuel economy figure of 50.4mpg.

The relaxation stakes are further upped by the driver assistance features that make the Toyota RAV4 relaxing to drive for long periods and help prevent avoidable accidents – perfect if you’re looking for a safe family SUV that’s easy to live with every day. If you are after something that offers a touch of entertainment then the SEAT Ateca is more fun to drive, though.

By going hybrid the RAV4 has taken a few more small steps for mankind and if it sounds like your next car, take a look at the latest Toyota RAV4 deals or get offers from our favourite model – the hybrid model in Design spec – by clicking the button below.

How practical is it?

The Toyota RAV4’s cabin will happily take five adults and its boot is impressively roomy too, but you don’t get a great deal of front seat adjustment in entry-level cars.

Dimensions

Passenger space

There’s plenty of space for even taller occupants to stretch out in the front of the Toyota RAV4’s large cabin, with loads of headroom if you are more than six-feet tall. Shorter drivers aren’t neglected, though, as driver’s seat adjustment comes as standard across the range so everyone should be able to find a good view out. There’s plenty of steering wheel adjustment to make sure you get a good view of the dials, too.

Go for an Excel or Dynamic model and that seat height adjustment is electric and you also get lumbar support to help reduce backache on longer trips. These versions also get a memory function so you can lock in your preferred position – easy if you are part of a couple with one much taller than the other. The passenger is stuck at a fixed height no matter what, though, as none of the RAV4s get seat-height adjustment for the other front seat, even as an option.

Offering reclining rear seats as standard is a nice touch, but even when they are tilted all the way back they are no more reclined than your average family SUV. The lever to adjust them is tucked up in an awkward position by the headrests, so moving the seats requires an awkward twisting motion.

Thankfully, there’s plenty of headroom for tall passengers and enough legroom for a six-foot-tall adult to sit behind an equally tall driver. There’s plenty of space for your passengers to slide their feet under the front seats too – even when the driver’s seat is set as low as it can go.

The Toyota RAV4’s central rear seat isn’t as wide or as supportive as the outer two, but there’s enough headroom for a tall adult to sit up straight without their head touching the roof. There’s enough shoulder room to carry three adults side by side too, and three kids will have plenty of space to get comfy.

You can easily lift a child seat through the Toyota RAV4’s wide rear door openings, but the Isofix anchor points for securing it are hidden within the fabric padding so it takes a bit of fiddling to get it locked in in the first place.

Storage space

You can get two one-litre bottles into each of the Toyota RAV4’s front door bins and there’s enough room under the front armrest for a few drinks cans, too. You also get two USB ports for charging your phone here, and another under the dashboard beside a 12V socket.

If that isn’t enough charging ability then there’s a wireless charging pad in the central console for compatible devices, along with a pair of cupholders. The glovebox isn’t particularly large, however, but you get a small tray to the left of the steering wheel to hold your keys and another wider tray in front of the passenger seat.

The rear door bins aren’t as generous as those in the front but your passengers get a folding armrest with two built-in cupholders. There’s also a pair of USB ports between the front seats and some felt-lined seat-back pockets in Excel and Dynamic models.

Boot space

At 580 litres, the Toyota RAV4’s boot is about par for the class – it’s slightly larger than the Honda CR-V’s but a few litres smaller than the VW Tiguan’s. The boot opening is wide and quite low so it’s easy to load heavy luggage. You also get an adjustable boot floor as standard, which means you can set it at its highest level to offer a totally lip-free entry point.

You can flip the floor over, too, as there is a wipe-clean surface on one side – perfect if you need to put dirty stuff in the boot – dogs, tools or, well, boots.

There’s enough space under that false floor to tuck a few soft bags out of sight and there is also a special recess into which you can pop the load cover so you don’t need to leave it at home if you fold all the seats and use the RAV4 like a posh van.

Those back seats drop down in a two-way (60:40) split if you need to carry some long luggage and a back-seat passenger at once. There is no option to fold the seats three ways, nor is there a ski-hatch to slide long items into the cabin, as you get on rivals though.

There are no clever levers in the boot to drop the Toyota’s back seats, but at least they fold down almost completely flat so it’s dead easy to push your luggage right up behind the front seats.

With all the back seats folded away, the Toyota RAV4’s boot grows to 1,690 litres. That’s slightly more than you get in the VW Tiguan, but a few litres shy of the more capacious Honda CR-V. There’s still plenty of room to carry a bike with both its wheels attached, though.

You also get an elasticated net for storing smaller items, a few shopping hooks and a 12V socket – perfect if you need to keep a few boot-bound gizmos fully charged.

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