Used 2020 Toyota RAV4

Looking not unlike a Toyota 4Runner left in the dryer too long, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 has grown into a rugged-looking compact SUV with attitude and purpose. Truckish looks aside, the RAV4 actually shares much of its structure with the Camry sedan. Sharing Toyota’s global architecture platform gives the RAV4 a feeling of solidity and stability and nets it excellent crash test scores.

So how does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 compare to the Honda CR-V? In the areas of interior room, safety features, fuel economy, and performance, the two are nearly identical. However, the CR-V does offer more rear-seat legroom and a lower base price. The Subaru Forester, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, also undercuts the RAV4’s base price.

In its favor, the RAV4 offers good power and fuel economy, especially in the powerful hybrid models. The RAV4 is better able to take on the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk this year thanks to a new TRD Off-Road trim that builds on the Adventure trim.

Our test vehicle was the XLE model, which like all the other 2020 RAV4s, uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. We found power to be adequate and certainly in line with the performance of the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Nissan Rogue. The 8-speed is a refreshing change from the sea of CVTs in most compact SUVs. We found engine and tire noise inside the cabin to be a bit loud on the road, but wind noise was barely noticeable. The RAV4’s seats are firm but comfortable, and the suspension delivers a smooth and compliant ride.

For those looking to do more off-the-grid type travels, the Adventure model may be the perfect fit. It sits higher and comes with larger wheels and tires. It also features an advanced AWD system with torque vectoring that can send up to 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels. It can even distribute power to the left or right wheel as needed. A clear advantage off-road, the system is also useful on-road, improving both traction and cornering ability. You’ll find this same setup on the new TRD Off-Road, which comes with an off-road suspension and even beefier wheel and tire combo.

The sportiest and most powerful RAV4 is the hybrid XSE. With 219 horsepower, the XSE Hybrid is also the most powerful RAV4. Its sport-tuned suspension features firmer damping, stiffer springs, and retuned shock absorbers. The electric boost translates into pure torque, which allows the hybrid RAV4 to accelerate more quickly than the gasoline-only models.

Years of all-black Toyota interiors have come to an end. The 2020 RAV4 gets more contrasting tones, with splashes of color tossed in for good measure, giving it one of the nicest compact SUV interiors money can buy. The RAV4’s cabin has an upscale look and feel, with lots of soft-touch surfaces for resting arms and elbows. Atop the dash is a large 7-inch touchscreen (8-inches on Limited, Adventure, and TRD) that acts as the command center for the radio, smartphone apps (CarPlay, Android, and Alexa), and satellite radio. We applaud Toyota’s decision to add proper tuning and volume knobs, as well as hard buttons at the screen’s edges.

Below the touchscreen reside the climate controls, adorned with proper hard buttons and two oversize control knobs with grippy rubber covers. Interior seat covers can be cloth or SofTex synthetic leather, but real leather is nowhere on the options list. On the hybrid side, the RAV4 XSE Hybrid gets blue accents and stitching, while the Adventure grade sees bits of orange throughout the cabin.

This isn’t your father’s Toyota RAV4 (or even your mom’s). The 2020 Toyota RAV4 says “so long” to playing it safe, with aggressive lines, a 4Runner-like front end, and bold paint colors that include 2-tone designs on some trims. Toyota has also done an excellent job with the RAV4’s wheel designs, rugged when they need to be, elegant or sporty according to trim.

The Adventure and TRD trims go a step further, with dark black cladding, prominent over-fenders, and a revised front bumper and grille. When it comes to the XLE and Limited trims, Toyota moves 180-degrees in the other direction. These models have softer lines and paint colors, polished alloy wheels, and tires designed for quiet, not conquest. The RAV4’s 17-inch wheels suit it best. While the optional 18- and 19-inch designs look great, the larger tires increase road noise and make for a harsher ride.

RAV4 XSE HYBRID MODEL
Hybrids are usually simple and not much fun. But that’s not the case with the 2020 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid. It’s fuel efficient, yes. But it’s also quick, sporty and fun to drive. It looks better than the non-hybrid RAV4, with racy wheels and cool black roof paint treatment.

JBL PREMIUM AUDIO
The RAV4’s optional JBL sound system is worth every penny. The system pumps 800 watts through 10 speakers and includes a powered subwoofer for deep, rich bass. Standard on the Limited trim, you can opt for it in the XLE Premium, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road, but it will set you back a cool $1,570.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 starts with the basics, but even the entry-level trim includes a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, eight airbags, and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 driver-assist package. TSS 2.0 includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, road-sign assist, and lane tracing.

Also on the standard equipment roster is a 7-speaker Entune 3.0 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Siri Eyes Free and Bluetooth are also along for the ride. The RAV4’s seats are covered in durable cloth, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes. LED headlights, power windows, power locks, and power mirrors, along with a rear backup camera, round out the standard equipment list.

Options vary by trim and are mostly bundled into packages, although some are standalone features. RAV4 owners can opt for auto on/off headlights, heated side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, SofTex seats, ventilated front seats, rear-seat vents, and a panoramic moonroof.

In the technology realm, there’s a digital review mirror that uses a camera to project what’s behind the car onto the mirror/screen. Also optional is navigation, a 360-degree bird’s eye view camera, Smart Key with push-button start, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, a wireless charging pad, and the JBL Premium audio system.

All-wheel-drive models offer a choice between two different systems, including one with Dynamic Torque Vectoring and a multi-terrain selector. Wheel options range from 17-inch steel wheels on the LE to 19-inch on the Limited.

For the 2020 Toyota RAV4, there is only one engine choice, that being a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder rated at 203 horsepower. The engine’s output is handled through an efficient 8-speed automatic transmission that helps the RAV4 attain 26-mpg city and 35-mpg highway. The RAV4 has an auto start/stop system on upper trims, but it can be shut off.

The RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder paired to twin electric motors powered by a battery pack. The pack is small enough to fit comfortably beneath the 2nd-row seat, thus avoiding any loss of cargo space so common in other hybrid SUVs. Hybrid RAV4’s come standard with all-wheel drive and replace the 8-speed automatic with a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Fuel economy is an impressive 41-mpg city and 38-mpg highway. Fill the RAV4 Hybrid’s gas tank, and you can travel almost 600 miles without stopping to refuel.

2.5-liter inline-4 (All RAV4 trims)
203 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/35 mpg (FWD with start/stop), 26/35 mpg (FWD without stop/start), 27/33 mpg (AWD with stop/start), 27/34 mpg (AWD without stop/start), 25/33 mpg (Adventure AWD), 25/32 mpg (TRD Off-Road AWD)

2.5-liter inline-4 engine + electric motors (All RAV4 Hybrid trims)
219 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm (peak output with gasoline and electric combined)
163 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimated): 41/38 mpg