The standard RAV4 is powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine sending power to either the front or to all-four wheels via a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid models all come in all-wheel drive, thanks to the rear wheels being powered by an electric motor. Expect the hybrid model to return around 34 mpg in the city.
RAV4s come in six basic trim levels, LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, new for this year TRD Off Road for the AWD model and Limited, with prices starting at around $25,950 for the LE.
The base LE trim comes standard with 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, power mirrors, a backup camera, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, a USB input port, Toyota's Entune 3.0 System with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth music streaming.
The XLE adds front dual-zone climate control, a smart key system, a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, alloy wheels, automatic headlights, fog lamps, heated mirrors, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and five USB ports.
The Premium version of the XLE gets 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, seats trimmed in Toyota's SofTex faux leather and a leather trimmed steering wheel.
The Adventure trim looks a little more butch with its own unique set of 19-inch wheels, along with a split bar front upper grill not shared by any other trim level. It also gets unique badging and roof rails. Inside the Adventure gets a digital speedometer, orange stitching throughout the interior and a bigger 8-inch touchscreen.
The top of the line Limited model comes with additional exterior chrome, puddle lights, heated front seats, an interior accented with dark brown features, a digital rearview mirror and blue ambient lighting for the interior.
TRD Off-Road models get 18-inch wheels with all terrain tires, a TRD Off-Road suspension kit, a standard torque vectoring AWD drivetrain and increased towing capacity up to 3500 pounds.
Aggressive Styling, All-wheel Drive, Practical In The City
Good Ground Clearance
Fuel Efficient Drivetrains
After a full redesign last year, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 adds an additional TRD Off-Road model this year. It gets 18-inch wheels with all terrain tires, a TRD Off-Road suspension kit, a standard torque vectoring AWD drivetrain and increased towing capacity up to 3500 pounds. Every trim benefit from integrated Android Auto and Sirius XM radio capabilities while XLE models lose the standard sunroof to the optional Convenience package. A plug-in hybrid model is expected to hit the scene for the 2021 lineup.
The RAV4 aims to be the "Goldilocks" of crossovers; its big enough that it doesn't simply feel like a lifted compact car, but also small enough that its size never really gets in the way during everyday driving. It's short enough that it makes perfect sense in the city, but it isn't in any way simply pretending to be an SUV, when the need for off roading arises. Toyota has also made a serious push for fuel economy with this generation. Even the all-wheel drive non-hybrid version of the RAV4 is rated at 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
