2020 Toyota RAV4

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.

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.

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.

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.