Summary

• The Toyota RAV4 stays the top-selling compact SUV on account of its affordability, reliability, and no-frills method to design.
• Costing $3,602 much less to take care of over 10 years than the common SUV, the RAV4 presents a value-packed possession expertise.
• With trims beginning underneath $30,000, the RAV4 is a budget-friendly possibility that gives security options and aftermarket assist.

The compact SUV market is booming, with increasingly choices providing sensible ranges of practicality, know-how, and efficiency. For so long as we are able to bear in mind, although, the Toyota RAV4 has been king of the segment. Even with all these new rivals, the RAV4 nonetheless manages to beat nearly everybody by way of gross sales.

While the Tesla Model Y and the Honda CR-V are beginning to nip at Toyota’s heels, the RAV4 nonetheless sits firmly in entrance by way of models moved. The Japanese producer has developed a sturdy recipe for fulfillment that has constantly confirmed to be precisely what folks need. The RAV4 is a no-frill, no-gimmick SUV, that’s strong and does precisely what it says on the field.

To perceive why the RAV4 has remained so standard, we dive into its greatest claims to fame, reliability, and upkeep. We break down simply how dependable the reasonably priced compact SUV is and what sort of upkeep prices you possibly can count on to incur over the course of possession.

In order to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Toyota web sites and different authoritative sources, together with CarEdge, RepiarPal, Car and Driver, and Fuel Economy.gov.

Toyota’s RAV4 Is Much Cheaper To Maintain Than The Average SUV

When shopping for an SUV, no matter how reasonably priced it’s, the very last thing you need is one thing that’s going to price an arm and a leg to maintain operating. People actually worth reliability and it is apparent why. Toyota understands this and whereas typically they’ll sacrifice in different areas of the automotive, the one factor they’ll by no means compromise on is reliability.

Maintenance Costs

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $429 (RepairPal)
• Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $5,531 (CarEdge)

One of the principle the reason why the Toyota RAV4 is so engaging to these seeking to purchase an SUV is that it is so low cost to take care of. The RAV4’s complete id is simplicity, from its inside design to its mechanical components. Everything is saved as useful as potential. Some would possibly see this as a draw back, however most individuals simply desire a automotive that will get them from A to B with none fuss.

The Toyota RAV4 is extremely low cost when upkeep is required, with it being $3,602 cheaper to take care of over a ten-year interval than the common SUV in keeping with CarEdge. On high of this, if you happen to’re shopping for a brand new RAV4 then you definitely’re privy to 2 years of complimentary upkeep, one thing nobody else presents on this class of auto. Toyota additionally presents a three-year or 36,000-mile restricted guarantee and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain guarantee.

Reliability

• Quality And Reliability Score: 76/100 (J.D. Power)
• How Likely A Major Repair Costing $500 Or More Is Needed: 16.08% (CarEdge)
• Worst Year To Buy Used: 2006/2007

According to J.D. Power, the RAV4 sits in its common vary, albeit on the high. However, J.D. Power charges vehicles primarily based on the problems that house owners have had. When wanting on the complaints, house owners don’t really feel that the standard of the inside or the infotainment display is especially excessive, and so they additionally imagine that there’s a respectable quantity of sound within the cabin. There aren’t many complaints concerning the mechanical capabilities of the automotive. In rankings performed by others, the RAV4 also comes across as particularly satisfying for owners.

CarEdge has a ranking primarily based on how probably a automotive is to require a significant restore within the first ten years of proudly owning it. In this class, the RAV4 excelled, getting an especially low rating that’s 5.42 % decrease than that of the common SUV. According to their estimates, the primary time that you simply’ll pay greater than $500 a yr on upkeep on your RAV4 is in yr six.

A 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Is Part Of The RAV4’s Recipe For Success

Behind the reliability of any automotive is its powertrain. Not solely does an engine have to carry up over time, probably taking abuse in quite a few other ways, however effectivity is necessary too. We dive into the efficiency of the 2024 RAV4 to present you an thought of what this dependable SUV has to supply.

2024 Performance Specs

(Source: Toyota and Car and Driver)

In phrases of efficiency, the RAV4 does not have the strongest powertrain on the market. When making an attempt to go others on the freeway, you would possibly end up wishing for slightly extra from the workaday SUV. Toyota as an alternative targeted on constructing a strong powertrain that might stand the check of time. Paired with the two.5-liter four-cylinder is an eight-speed automated transmission commonplace throughout the board.

Front-wheel drive is commonplace on the 2024 RAV4, however this SUV has the legacy of an off-roader, therefore we’d go for all-wheel drive. While all-wheel drive is obtainable on all fashions, solely the upper trims get entry to Toyota’s extra superior all-wheel drive system, which supplies you entry to options like torque vectoring and a rear axle disconnect.

Fuel Economy

(Source: Fuel Economy.gov)

With the worth of gas skyrocketing yr after yr, it is necessary to know the gas effectivity of a automotive before you purchase. One of the RAV4’s greatest benefits is that it is without doubt one of the most fuel-efficient gas-powered vehicles you can purchase. While there’s a distinction between the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive fashions, you’ll solely actually discover this if you happen to drive on the freeway steadily.

There are hybrid models of the RAV4, however we’ve checked out them individually. If you need your RAV4 to take you even additional on a tank of fuel, then the hybrid or Prime fashions could also be engaging to you. Just keep in mind that anytime you purchase a hybrid you’re sacrificing reliability by an inexpensive quantity.

The RAV4 Is One Of The Most Affordable Compact SUVs On The Market

If you are out there for a brand new compact SUV, few choices rival the distinctive worth provided by the RAV4. Boasting affordability from its base mannequin, this car delivers extra than simply cost-effectiveness. As you ascend via its numerous trim ranges, the array of options and upgrades justify each extra funding, guaranteeing a rewarding expertise that is properly well worth the price ticket.

2024 Trims

(Source: Toyota)

Getting a compact SUV for underneath $30,000 is changing into increasingly uncommon. Granted, that is the MSRP and never the worth they really go for. The RAV4 presents a ton by way of security options and aftermarket assist on the RAV4 proper off the bat, that means if you happen to’re in search of one thing easy and don’t want something fancy, the LE will greater than suffice. The solely piece of security tech that is not accessible throughout the board is blind spot monitoring, which you solely get on the Adventure, Limited, and TRD Off-Road fashions.

However, the bottom mannequin is especially barren in comparison with different compact SUVs, and to essentially get probably the most out of the RAV4, we’d counsel you go up a couple of trim ranges. The XLE Premium is the trim stage that’s going to make you’re feeling such as you’re getting probably the most out of your cash. It presents fog lights, 19-inch wheels, a power-operated liftgate, dual-zone local weather management, and pretend leather-based amongst different issues which assist to raise the RAV4.

TRD Off-Road

If you’re in search of an entry into the world of off-roading, then the RAV4 is the proper place to start out. The RAV4 has a protracted historical past on the earth of off-roading and its ruggedness and reliability have made it good for hitting the unbeaten path. This actually hasn’t modified with the newest technology.

If you’re somebody who needs to make your personal changes to your car then you’ll in all probability be proud of the Adventure trim, with the upgraded all-wheel drive system and the additional protecting trim. However, if you happen to simply desire a automotive you can hop in proper off the dealership ground, then the TRD Off-Road will serve you properly. It presents you a TRD-tuned MacPherson strut entrance suspension with a stabilizer bar, a multi-link rear suspension with a stabilizer bar, and distinctive shocks and struts.