2020 Toyota RAV4

If you ever needed proof that we're living in a crossover world, the fact that last year alone, nearly half a million Toyota RAV4 compact SUVs sold should be all the proof you need. It's not just for lack of competition either, as the compact SUV segment is packed with talent like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. And yet the Toyota reigns supreme as far as the sales charts go, powered along by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine developing 203 horsepower, the choice of front- or all-wheel drivetrains, and Toyota Safety Sense features. But until now, it's still had weak links in its armor, which rivals have been quick to capitalize on. 2020 sees Toyota remedy some of these with full Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality for the first time in a Rav. Can updated tech and a new TRD Off-Road model do enough to keep the RAV4 at the top of the charts? We think so.

Refusing to build a cookie-cutter crossover lineup, not only does the RAV4 look easily distinguishable from rivals, but Toyota has given each trim a unique look that stands out from the crowd. The LE and XLE are fitted with a standard black front grille, low-profile black roof rails, and 17-inch wheels in varying designs. The XLE and XLE Premium get integrated front fog lights, and color-keyed door handles, while the latter trim gets 19-inch alloy wheels. The Adventure boasts a more rugged exterior with a unique split-bar grille with active shutters, raised black roof rails, and black RAV4 and Adventure badging - it's also shod with 19-inch wheels with matte-black accents. On the Limited you'll find a dark grey metallic hexagon-patterned grille and puddle lights, chrome exterior accents, and body-colored outside mirrors. The TRD Off-Road is differentiated by a unique color-keyed upper and black lower front bumper, larger black over-fenders, a black rear bumper with a magnetic gray insert, red coil springs, and black RAV4 and TRD Off-Road badging. It also gets black trim around the fog lights and rides on 18-inch wheels.

The RAV4's dimensions accurately place it in the compact crossover SUV classification; while all models share a 105.9-inch wheelbase, LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited trims measure 180.9 inches in length with a 73-inch width, standing between 67 and 67.2 inches in height. The Adventure and TRD models boast unique exterior styling and come in AWD as standard and are, as such, a little larger overall: 181.5 inches in length, 68.6 inches in height, and 73.4 inches in width.

LE and XLE models have a running ground clearance of 8.4 inches while XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited and TRD trims have 8.6 inches to play with. Approach angles hover around 19 degrees while departure angles come in at around 21 degrees. The LE in FWD guise is the lightest model with a curb weight of 3,370 lbs while the TRD Off-Road comes in at 3,655 lbs as the heaviest model.

The selection and variety of exterior colors differs radically between every RAV4 model, with lower trims relegated to fewer options. Standard hues include Magnetic Gray Metallic, Lunar Rock, and Super White. Some of the more colorful standard hues are Blue Flame, Blueprint, and Ruby Flare Pearl, the latter of which carries an additional cost of $425. Blizzard Pearl is available for the Limited model only at a cost of $425. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road can both be hued in a dual-tone color scheme for $500, with Lunar Rock/Ice Edge or Midnight Black Metallic/Ice Edge schemes available. Exclusive to the Adventure is a Blue Flame/Ice Edge two-tone combination, while the TRD Off-Road can be exclusively had in a Magnetic Gray Metallic/Ice Edge combination.

Every RAV4 is equipped with the same powertrain, which is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The LE, XLE and XLE Premium grades offer optional all-wheel-drive with dynamic torque control and rear driveline disconnect. With this powertrain, the AWD-equipped RAV4 cars go from 0 to 60 mph in a rather average eight seconds in most independent tests. Top speed is capped at around 130 mph. The Mazda CX-5 is available with a far more refined 250-hp turbocharged engine with which it shoots from 0-60 mph in an impressive six seconds, but in base form, it closely matches the RAV4.

FWD models of the RAV4 have a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs, which is pretty decent for the class - the Honda CR-V can also tow 1,500 lbs maximum but the Mazda CX-5 can manage 2,000 lbs. The AWD models of the RAV4, however, are availed with a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs, which is the best in the compact segment by a good margin.

All trims feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine endowed with outputs of 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Outputs are channeled through an eight-speed automatic gearbox with no manual variant available. While hybrid RAV4s might have more power, the 203 hp on offer here is fine for motoring around town, merging onto highways, and overtaking most slow traffic, but you'll never see fireworks like you would in a turbocharged rival like the Mazda CX-5. Still, it does the job, and the auto 'box slips between the gears with a high level of refinement and finesse, keeping the RAV4 on the boil and responding deftly to throttle inputs. The worst thing about the engine, however, is its incessant droning under heavy acceleration - it tends to get notably loud and unrefined, especially during passing maneuvers at speed.

The new RAV4 doesn't present much that's out of the ordinary in the way of ride and handling. It feels planted and composed when on the highway and holds its own when pushed through a winding road. It's nimble enough when motored around town, and the steering responds well to inputs. The brakes are light too and require quite a lot of pressure for adequate responses, but stop the crossover well within acceptable limits. It's a perfectly complacent effort from Toyota, but it lacks the flair of a Mazda CX-5 or even a Honda CR-V. Still, for the daily commute, it'll never disappoint.

When it comes to comfort on the road, the RAV4 models equipped with either the 17 or 18-inch wheels are the most compliant; the models equipped with the 19-inch wheels deliver a slightly busier ride. All models, including the Adventure and the TRD Off-Road, which are equipped with more rugged suspensions, tend to soak up bumps and bruises rather well, despite their focus being on off-road ability

The Adventure and TRD Off-Road furthermore feature numerous driving modes and an upgraded AWD system, which, altogether enhance their capability over rough and loose terrain. The RAV4 is no Range Rover, but its off-road capabilities are impressive for something in this segment.

All 2020 Toyota RAV4 models, regardless of drivetrain, prove competitively fuel-efficient for the class. XLE models in FWD guise are the most economical models, returning EPA gas mileage estimates of 28/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined. On the other end of the spectrum, the all-wheel-drive TRD Off-Road is naturally the heaviest drinker, with estimates of 25/32/27 mpg. All remaining trims slot in somewhere between these figures, with AWD-equipped cars thirstier than the front-wheel-driven variants, in general.

All models come equipped with a 14.5-gallon gas tank, and, when topped-up with fuel, the most fuel-efficient models will deliver a maximum range of around 435 miles before running dry. The TRD Off-Road will traverse around 391 miles per tank of gas.

Despite the base models' crude design and styling, every RAV4 model boasts an exceptionally attractive, well-built, and ergonomic cabin. Key touchpoints are all intuitively covered with quality soft-touch materials and the hard-touch plastics that do reside in the cabin are masterfully integrated to keep the overall impression of high quality. The layout is intuitive and Toyota clearly constructed the RAV4 with practicality in mind. Power seat adjustability is standard as of the XLE model, and, from the XLE Premium onward, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and SofTex simulated leatherette seating upholstery are standard, along with a power moonroof, the Adventure sports an eight-inch touchscreen which replaces the seven-inch touchscreen on the LE and XLE.

Five adults will easily fit in the RAV4 on generally comfortable, well-appointed seating surfaces. Overall passenger room in the front is commodious, and with 39.5 inches of headroom, 37.8 inches of legroom, and 56.4 inches of shoulder room, overall passenger room in the rear seats is just as accommodating. The spacious seats further augment comfort with luxuriant cushioning and ample bolstering and contouring for support. The driver is positioned ergonomically behind all the relevant controls, and though the driver's seat in the base LE model features only six-way manual-adjustability, all models are fitted with a tilt and telescoping steering column, and upper trims with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. With all that room and adjustability, ingress and egress are effortless to any part of the cabin.

A basic urethane steering wheel is standard in the LE and XLE, upgrading to a leather-wrapped steering and gear shifter on the XLE Premium. Standard cloth seating upholstery comes in the bottom three trims with SofTex leatherette seating upholstery going into the rest. While the upholstery in the LE is hued in black only, the XLE gets the option of Black or Nutmeg, and its seats are accompanied by embossed polygon-design inserts. The SofTex upholstery in the upper trim can be, depending on the trim, hued in either Black, Gray, or Nutmeg, in the Adventure the seats get embossed inserts and are featured with orange accenting and stitching. The TRD Off-Road comes solely with black SofTex seating upholstery with red stitching, embossed seat inserts, and TRD stitching in the headrests.

With an expansive 37.6 cubic-feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats, the Toyota RAV4's trunk capacity is relatively competitive for the class, the Mazda CX-5 offers a lot less with only 30.9 cubes in the trunk, while the Honda CR-V beats the RAV4's figure with 39.2. The second-row seats in all RAV4 models feature 60/40-split foldability which when folded down expands cargo room to a useful 69.8 cubes - nipping at the heels of the Nissan Rogue.

The RAV4 is readily outfitted in the way of in-cabin storage solutions as well. Up front there are numerous dash integrated storage slots, a small-item storage tray is located in the center console along with dual cupholders and a spacious armrest console. There are door side pockets with bottle slots on both doors, and the passenger-side glove box is practically sized. Moving to the rear cabin sees a seatback map pocket on the passenger-side seat, two cupholders in the center seat armrest, and a bottle holder in each door.

The base model of the Toyota RAV4 SUV doesn't come outfitted with much, the door locks and windows are all power-operated and the urethane steering wheel is mounted to a tilt and telescoping column. The driver's seat features six-way manual-adjustability, the passenger's seat four-way manual-adjustability, there's a remote keyless entry system, single-zone manual climate control, and a rearview camera. The XLE gets a little more including a smart key system on front doors and liftgate, remote keyless and illuminated entry, dual-zone climate control, and push-button start.

Comfort and convenience are really taken up a notch in the mid-range XLE Premium with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, a power tilt/sliding moonroof, SofTex-trimmed seating surfaces, and a power liftgate are standard. The Adventure doesn't get a power moonroof as standard but does get an integrated panoramic backup camera with dynamic gridlines. Heated front seats and a digital rearview mirror with a HomeLink universal transceiver are standard in the Limited. Heated and ventilated front seats are optional for all trims except the LE, and heated rear outboard seats are available for the Limited only.

Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist features is standard in all models along with Toyota's Star Safety System equipment, which includes trailer-sway control, hill start assist, downhill assist, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is standard in all but the LE. The Limited is the only model that comes standard with front and rear park assist with automated braking.

The RAV4 lineup impresses in the way of infotainment, while LE and XLE, and XLE Premium models are outfitted with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, all other models come fitted with an eight-inch touchscreen, although the upgrade is optional from the XLE trim upwards. Image-quality is good in both. A stock six-speaker sound system is standard in all barring the Limited, which boasts a premium 11-speaker JBL sound system. All models feature a basic AM/FM stereo with hands-free phone capability, advanced voice recognition, and music streaming capability via Bluetooth wireless technology. All are also installed with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa smartphone integration. SiriusXM radio connectivity is also standard throughout, but HD Radio is only featured in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road. The LE gets only a single USB-charge port along with a single auxiliary input jack and a 12-volt power outlet, all other models get five USB-charge ports: one in the dash, two in the center armrest cubby, and another two at the rear of the front center console. A wireless charging pad is available within an optional package.

2020 has thus far seen a single recall levied against the RAV4 for a coolant leak. This is down from 2019's four recalls, but those who know the brand will know that a J.D. Power rating of 80/100 is backed up by classic Japanese reliability. This is further emphasized by Toyota's coverage of the RAV4 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2020 RAV4 delivers exceptional crash-test safety ratings for the class; from the NHTSA's review of the RAV4, the current model received an overall safety rating of five-stars out of five. The IIHS also reviewed the Toyota RAV4 and gave it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2020, which is the authority's highest accolade.

Every RAV4 model comes equipped with eight standard airbags including dual front knee airbags. Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist features is also standard in all models and includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist, lane-tracing assist, and lane-departure alert with steering assist. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is fitted in all but the LE, but is optionally available here. Also standard is Toyota's Star Safety System which comprises VSC, ABS, and EBD, among others. Trailer-sway control, hill start assist, and downhill assist are all also included across the lineup. The Limited is the only model that comes standard with front and rear park assist with automated braking.

For a compact crossover SUV, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 is one of the best options out there and leaves little reason to doubt its best-seller status. It's a remarkably pleasant vehicle to drive and a very functional daily runabout - it's comfortable on the road, reasonably fuel-efficient, and though a little underpowered, performs competently around town. Furthermore, the Adventure and new TRD Off-Road offer relatively decent off-road capabilities and impressive towing capacities. Practicality is high in the RAV4 too: with its commodious cabin, passengers are kept comfy all-day, there's plenty of cargo room in the trunk, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats offer great storage versatility. With the exception of the base model, all other models come generously outfitted with enticing comfort and convenience features - safety equipment and driver aids are plentiful too, and options are abundant. With six trims comprising the lineup, there's a RAV4 for just about anyone.

Compared to other vehicles in the class, the Toyota RAV4's price is relatively high; the base LE is available at an MSRP of $25,850, the slightly better-outfitted XLE comes in at $27,145, and the feature-rich XLE Premium has an MSRP of $29,850. For a little more capability and a few more additional features, there's the Adventure, which carries an MSRP of $32,955, the Limited follows with a starting price of $34,380. Finally, there's the all-new TRD Off-Road which augments on the compact SUV's off-road and practicality capabilities - offered at an MSRP of $35,180. All prices exclude Toyota's delivery, processing, and handling fee of $1,120 as well as any tax, registration, or licensing fees. Adding AWD to models without it adds $1,400 to each Toyota RAV4's base cost.

There are six trims within the 2020 RAV4 lineup: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited, and the all-new TRD Off-Road. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are standard in every configuration; FWD is standard in all but the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, which come in AWD, an option on lesser trims.

In the LE, there's just the basics, with fabric seating upholstery, manually-adjustable front seats, a remote keyless entry system, single-zone manual climate control, and a rearview camera. A seven-inch touchscreen tethered to an AM/FM six-speaker stereo covers infotainment, but there's full smartphone integration and a single USB port, auxiliary input jack, and a 12-volt power outlet. Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist features is standard along with Toyota's Star Safety System equipment, trailer-sway control, hill start assist, and downhill assist. It's equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, multi-LED headlights with automatic high beams and LED daytime running lights.

For a little more convenience, the XLE gets a smart key system on the front doors and liftgate, remote keyless and illuminated entry, push-button start, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. Connectivity is enhanced with four additional USB charge ports. It also gets 17-inch alloy wheels and integrated fog lights.

The XLE Premium gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, SofTex seating upholstery, a power tilt/sliding moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate. Larger 19-inch alloy wheels are standard.

For the Adventure, the power moonroof is made optional, but an integrated panoramic backup camera with dynamic gridlines is fitted. This model is upgraded with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen and receives HD Radio functionality.

Heated front seats and a digital rearview mirror with a HomeLink universal transceiver are standard in the Limited. It also comes standard with an 11-Speaker JBL sound system and front and rear park assist with automated braking.

The TRD Off-Road comes equipped with bespoke 18-inch six-spoke matte-black TRD flow-formed alloy wheels, it also gets a multi-terrain Select mode dial and a TRD-tuned suspension giving it greater off-road capabilities.

Despite the RAV4's diverse lineup, every model still receives an expansive selection of available options and packages. But, for the base model, only a handful of basic add-ons can be chosen, most significantly, the Blind Spot Monitor for $590.

For the XLE, there's a Convenience Package, Cold weather Package, and Audio Plus Group which is a bundle of all the XLE's available packages - for $3,180 this fits the XLE with a height-adjustable power liftgate, a power tilt/slide moonroof, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and the eight-inch infotainment system with the HD Radio connectivity. Alternatively, the Cold Weather and Convenience packages can also be optioned on separately for $925 and $1,265, respectively (or even as a duo, for $2,190).

The XLE Premium's packages are also bundled and include the XLE Premium Grade Technology Package, Cold weather Package, and Audio Plus group with a JBL sound system for a total cost of $3,910. This throws in front and rear park assist with automated braking, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and the 11-speaker JBL sound system. As before, the various bundles can be added individually, too.

For $5,165 the Adventure can be equipped with the contents of the Convenience Package, the Weather Package, and the JBL infotainment group as well as with a Technology Package which comprises front and rear parking sensors with automated braking and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

A dual panoramic moonroof is available for the Limited along with the contents of the Advanced Technology Package and Cold Weather Package which includes a smart key system, power liftgate, birds-eye view camera, wireless smartphone charger, heated steering wheel, perforated heated and ventilated front seats, and reclining and heated rear outboard seats. This goes for $1,225. The various bundled options regarding the heated seats, premium audio, and navigation are also available to the TRD Off-Road ranging in price from $1,015 to $3,570, or all together for $4,585.

The RAV4 Adventure is the trim of choice as it comes standard with an abundance of comfort and convenience features that the lower-spec models don't come with and offers superior off-road and towing capabilities as a result of the standard AWD. It's also the first model that comes standard with the upgraded eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with added HD Radio capability. We do suggest optioning in the available Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL for the infotainment audio upgrade and improved convenience, although with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the navigation isn't a necessity. Considering the Adventures off-road capabilities, the Adventure Grade Cold Weather Package may also be a good add-on for when traveling through cold states.

Like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V is a long-standing competitor within the compact crossover SUV segment and regularly ranks near the top of the log. The CR-V is equipped with a far more refined turbocharged engine though, one that delivers smoother, quicker, and quieter responses in all driving conditions. It's lively too, getting the CR-V from 0-60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. The ride and handling from both vehicles are pretty much on par, but the CR-V is more fun to thread through corners, while the RAV4 is better off-road. The RAV4 offers better towing capacity, however. Though the RAV4, when in AWD, offers a greater maximum tow capability to the CR-V's 1,500 lbs, the CR-V does have a larger cargo bay with 39.2 cubes behind the rear seats. The RAV4 wins points for its infotainment system as full smartphone integration is shared throughout the lineup and a larger touchscreen is standard in the top three trims. When it comes to these two class-leaders, both are on an even keel, so the choice ultimately comes down to preference.

The Rogue is a little more affordable than the RAV4, but isn't nearly as consummate an all-rounder in the segment. It comes equipped with a significantly underpowered engine that's been matched up with a horrid CVT as standard. Where the Rogue does show advantage is in its size: it's interior is a little more commodious compared to the RAV4, offering more passenger room and a larger cargo bay with 39.3 cubes on offer, but the RAV4 boasts a superior maximum tow capability of up to 3,500 lbs, squashing the Rogue's 1,500-pound capability. The RAV4 is the more pleasant vehicle to drive and proves to be a little more fuel-efficient. It's infotainment system is better, too, and it gets a more exclusive and extensive spec sheet to the Rogue. Ultimately, the RAV4 is the winner here - it's newer, a little more refined, and a whole lot more reliable.