Toyota RAV4 2023

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Toyota RAV4 2023

Toyota

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  • Highs Easygoing driving demeanor, rugged good looks, driver-assists come standard.
  • Lows Entry model is too bare-bones, coarse-sounding four-cylinder, some rivals offer more driving fun.
  • Verdict Although it's a bit boring to drive and starting to show its age among more modern rivals, the RAV4's practicality and affordability are hard to argue with.

Overview

There are good reasons why the RAV4 is a perennial bestseller for Toyota—it's a practical and efficient SUV that appeals to your common sense. The 2023 RAV4 continues the tradition, with a cargo-friendly interior, an attractive base price, and sensible road manners. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder drives the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is somewhat poky, but fuel economy is good. A hybrid and a plug-in-hybrid powertrain are also available, but we review those models separately. The RAV4's rugged looks allow it to look at home among 4Runners and Tacomas, but even the most capable TRD Off-Road model isn't going to make it to the same remote locales as those more rugged off-roaders. The RAV4 is at its best when it's tackling more suburban tasks, such as daily commuting and trips to the home improvement store. Toyota includes a host of driver-assistance tech and desirable infotainment features as standard, which helps bolster the RAV4's value relative to its rivals.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

What's New for 2023?

This year, Toyota has swapped out the RAV4's infotainment system for a more modern one with larger display screens. An 8.0-inch display replaces last year's standard 7.0-inch unit on LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Adventure trims; Limited and TRD Off-Road models get a larger 10.5-inch display. Toyota's latest software interface is both prettier and more intuitive than the outgoing system, and it's capable of over-the-air updates and provides wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7.0-inch display in the gauge cluster is now standard, while a 12.3-inch one is optional on XLE Premium and TRD Off-Road models and is standard on the Limited.

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 2023 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.

      Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

      The RAV4 earned class-competitive fuel-economy estimates from the EPA. Front-wheel-drive RAV4s can manage up to an estimated 35 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive Adventure delivered 32 mpg for us on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, 1 mpg shy of the EPA's estimated rating for that trim. That's a fairly good result for the class, but the RAV4 was outdone in that test by the Volkswagen Tiguan, which returned 33 mpg. For more information about the RAV4's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

      Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

      Inside, the RAV4 prioritizes ergonomics and cubby storage. A useful shelf spans the dash and complements the large center console. The version we tested featured a mix of soft-touch surfaces and nice plastics. The base trim, called LE, is quite spartan and comes with cloth seats, a plasticky steering wheel, and single-zone manual climate control. On the next-step-up XLE, Toyota throws in a few perks, but there's much more to like on the XLE Premium, including faux-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a stitched and padded dashboard and center-console armrest. The RAV4's rear seats are easy to stow, and they fold to a nearly flat position, opening up the cabin for cargo. We fit 10 of our carry-on suitcases behind the rear seat and 22 with it folded. The Nissan Rogue matched the RAV4 here, but the Subaru Forester beat it by one in each metric.

        Infotainment and Connectivity

        Lower trims come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, but the Limited and the TRD Off-Road get a 10.5-inch display. The infotainment system includes a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. A JBL premium audio system, navigation, and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone are optional. Most models come with a separate 7.0-inch display in the gauge cluster, but a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge display is optional on the XLE Premium and TRD Off-Road and is standard on the Limited.

          Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

          The RAV4 lineup boasts an array of standard driver assists. Buyers also can add blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alert, but those features cost extra on the base model. For more information about the RAV4's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

          • Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
          • Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
          • Standard adaptive cruise control

          Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

          Toyota's warranties toe the industry line with three years of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. All models come with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance—a rarity in this segment.

          • Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
          • Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
          • Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

          Specifications

          Specifications

          2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
          Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

          PRICE
          Base/As Tested: $37,155/$42,822
          Options: TRD Off-Road Technology package, $1950; premium audio, $1620; TRD Off-Road Weather package, $1015; running board, $549; door sill protector, $199; door edge guard, $140; mudguard, $129; blackout emblem overlays, $65

          ENGINE
          DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
          Displacement: 152 in3, 2487 cm3
          Power: 203 hp @ 6600 rpm
          Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

          TRANSMISSION
          8-speed automatic

          CHASSIS
          Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
          Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.1-in disc
          Tires: Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 01A
          225/60R-18 100H M+S

          DIMENSIONS
          Wheelbase: 105.9 in
          Length: 181.5 in
          Width: 73.4 in
          Height: 70.0 in
          Passenger Volume: 99 ft3
          Cargo Volume: 37 ft3
          Curb Weight: 3724 lb

          C/D TEST RESULTS
          60 mph: 8.4 sec
          1/4-Mile: 16.6 sec @ 87 mph
          100 mph: 23.2 sec
          Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
          Rolling Start, 5-60 mph: 9.1 sec
          Top Gear, 30-50 mph: 4.2 sec
          Top Gear, 50-70 mph: 6.2 sec
          Top Speed (gov ltd): 119 mph
          Braking, 70-0 mph: 185 ft
          Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.76 g

          C/D FUEL ECONOMY
          Observed: 25 mpg
          75-mph Highway Driving: 30 mpg
          Highway Range: 430 mi

          EPA FUEL ECONOMY
          Combined/City/Highway: 28/25/32 mpg

          C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

          More Features and Specs

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          Will Toyota RAV4 be redesigned in 2023?

          The 2023 model year will mark the fifth year of this RAV4 generation. This is typically when automakers refresh a vehicle with updated styling along the lines of new wheels or a new bumper or taillight design. They might also move features that were optional to the standard list to give the model more value.

          What colors will the 2023 RAV4 come in?

          The 2023 Toyota RAV4 hybrid will be available in black metallic, cavalry blue, and ice cap exterior colors in this fifth-generation ride.

          What are the changes to 2023 RAV4 hybrid?

          A new rough-and-tumble Woodland Edition of the RAV4 Hybrid joins the lineup for 2023. Along with all-terrain tires, the Woodland Edition sports a TRD suspension kit, bronze-colored wheels, a roof rack, mud flaps, black exterior badging, and a special set of all-season floor mats sporting the Woodland Edition logo.

          What Year Will Toyota redesign RAV4?

          2024 Toyota RAV4 Compact CUV Gets Another Informal Exterior, Interior Redesign.