History/Overview
Toyota redesigned its RAV4 compact crossover in 2019, lending this model a hardier appearance and a more substantial feel from behind the wheel.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
New for 2020 is a TRD Off-Road trim, details of which are outlined below.
Available Trims
Toyota offers the RAV4 with a conventional gasoline powertrain, and a gas-electric hybrid setup.
Gasoline models come in LE, XLE, Trail, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims, while RAV4 Hybrid can be had in LE, XLE, XSE and Limited packages.
The standard RAV4 uses a 2.5L engine and an eight-speed transmission; LE and XLE start with FWD and can be optioned with AWD; Trail, TRD Off-Road and Limited come standard with AWD.
RAV4 Hybrid matches a 2.5L engine with electric power, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard AWD.
Standard Features
LE trim comes standard with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, Toyota connected services, power door locks, a 4.2-inch driver info display, air conditioning, 17-inch steel wheels and tires, LED headlights and daytime running lights, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, power windows, heated front seats with manual adjustments, and a front wiper de-icer.
LE Hybrid adds dual-zone automatic climate control.
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard, and comprises automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control, and land departure alert with steering assist and road edge detection. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are also standard, but, strangely, are not considered part of the Toyota Safety Sense suite.
XLE adds a power tailgate, an eight-way power driver's seat, a cargo tonneau cover, sunroof, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a heated/leather-trimmed steering wheel.
XLE Hybrid gains a sport-tuned front suspension.
RAV4 Trail brings satellite radio, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, wireless smartphone charging, a 7.0-inch driver info display, ventilated front seats, and 19-inch wheels. The Trail package also gets an upgraded AWD system and increased towing capacity.
TRD Off-Road builds on the Trail model with 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, LED fog lights, an off-road tuned suspension, and an 11-speaker stereo with navigation.
RAV4 Limited builds on the XLE and Trail packages, and adds an 11-speaker stereo, navigation, premium connected services, a hands-free power tailgate, parking sensors, panoramic and bird's-eye exterior view monitors, rear cross traffic braking, Softex upholstery, heated rear seats, a camera-based rearview mirror with integrated garage door opener, LED fog lights, and chrome exterior door handles.
Hybrid Limited uses 18-inch wheels instead of 19s.
Key Options
RAV4 XLE Hybrid can be optioned with a pair of XSE packages. The base group brings black alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, combination leather/Softex seating, and a 7.0-inch driver info display.
An XSE tech package brings navigation with premium connected services, an 11-speaker stereo, wireless smartphone charging, LED fog lights, a camera-based rearview mirror, parking sensors, and automatic rear cross traffic braking.
Fuel Economy
Toyota's fuel consumption estimates for the RAV4 are 8.8/6.8 L/100 km (city/highway) for gasoline-powered FWD models, and 9.2/7.1 with AWD. The bulkier TRD Off-Road package is rated 9.5/7.5 L/100 km. The gas-electric hybrid model's estimates are 5.7/6.3 L/100 km.
Competition
Toyota's home country of Japan also supplies the Honda CR-V, Subaru's Forester, the Mazda CX-5, the Nissan Rogue, and Mitsubishi's Outlander.
Domestic models include GM's Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain twins, the Ford Escape, Jeep's Cherokee and the Dodge Journey.
From South Korean come the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.
Finally, Germany's Volkswagen offers the Tiguan.
