2025 Toyota RAV4

There’s a reason more shoppers choose a RAV4 over any other rival in the vast compact SUV segment: This Toyota just does everything right for its legion of loyalists. That’s the one general reason, at least. Looking closer, its merits are myriad, from the RAV4’s easygoing driving manners and comfortable cabin to its standard suite of advanced safety features and roomy cargo area. Oh, and then there’s that Toyota reputation for excellent quality and high resale value.

Even in what we suspect is its last model year before an all-new generation emerges, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 brings a lot to the table.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact SUVs, including the Toyota RAV4.

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 mostly carries over, but with a trimmed lineup. The outdoorsy RAV4 Adventure and RAV4 TRD Off-Road models have been jettisoned, leaving the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trims.

The Toyota RAV4 continues to start slightly below the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester and just above other popular models like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Chevrolet Equinox, and Mazda CX-5. If it were our money, we’d be inclined to skip the base LE model and step up to at least an XLE because we like features such as a power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone climate control,  and blind-spot monitoring. Before buying, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what others are paying.

Stellar Resale Value

Like other Toyota models, the RAV4 holds its value very well, with residuals near the top of its class. Remember, a higher resale value can mean more money toward your next vehicle when it’s time to sell or trade in.

We’ve found the Toyota RAV4 easy to drive and maneuver in a variety of situations and powerful enough for most applications. We like the RAV4’s high seating position, which affords good outward visibility, and that it has a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which tends to drone under hard acceleration.

The RAV4’s naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine won’t light streets on fire with 203 horsepower, but it’s more than enough for keeping up with traffic and easy highway cruising. And while so many of the RAV4’s rivals turn to smaller turbo engines, some of our editors found it gratifying to have a larger unit under the hood with no hesitancy from turbo lag.

We’re also fans of Toyota’s driver-assist systems, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, which can take a lot of stress and drudgery out of commutes.

While the RAV4 won’t offer the Adventure and TRD Off-Road variants for 2025, you can still get those past models’ more advanced torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Here, it remains optional in the top-line Limited trim. In addition to this system’s enhanced handling, it also features a driveline disconnect that essentially cuts power to the rear wheels in scenarios such as highway cruising so the RAV4 can be more fuel efficient.

Fuel Economy

The Toyota RAV4 earns 30 mpg in mixed city and highway driving for front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive RAV4 models also earn up to 30 mpg combined, with the Limited all-wheel-drive earning 28 mpg combined. These figures are the same as those of the Honda CR-V and better than those of rivals like the Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5. They are slightly below those of the Nissan Rogue, which uses a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine.

If fuel economy is a high priority, the RAV4 Hybrid earns 39 mpg combined, while the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid can travel up to 42 miles on battery power alone and then operate like a traditional gas-electric hybrid. We review the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid separately.

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 has a 5-passenger cabin that is functional and roomy, even if a bit dated compared to fresher competitors. Yet, it still simply works. It couldn’t be easier to change temperature or volume thanks to big, can’t-miss-them knobs, and the stubby gear selector is close at hand. RAV4 LE, XLE, and XLE Premium models have an 8-inch touchscreen,  while a larger 10.5-inch unit is standard on the Limited or optional on the XLE Premium.

We’ve found the RAV4’s front seats wholly accepting of different body sizes and shapes and among the most comfortable in its class. The Limited trim further benefits from heated/ventilated front seats. At 37.8 inches, rear-seat legroom is good for a compact SUV, though a Kia Sportage boasts 41.3, and a CR-V has 41.0. The RAV4’s cargo area is also spacious, with a voluminous 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 with them folded. The Sportage edges it with 39.6/74.1, while the CR-V registers 39.3/76.5.

A moonroof becomes standard at the XLE Premium trim and optional on the XLE, while Limited models can be optioned with a panoramic glass roof if you really want to let the light in.

The RAV4 has an exterior design that is decidedly more blocky and angular than swoopy or curvy. This shape speaks to its practical nature and is also what helps it boast impressive interior room. There isn’t much daring design here, but that’s not why one buys such a vehicle. LE and XLE models roll on 17-inch wheels, while XLE Premium and Limited trims get bigger and fancier 19-inch designs.

Infotainment system
Despite the RAV4 being well into its lifecycle, its screens have remained competitive amid the size wars while retaining their user-friendly nature. We particularly like the voice-activated navigation, along with the standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

Digital instrument cluster
This customizable 12.3-inch display adds a more tech-rich feel to the cabin. It’s standard in the Limited trim.

All-wheel drive
Confident when the road surface becomes tricky and stable when steering around corners, all-wheel drive is a deservedly popular extra, offered at a reasonable $1,400.

JBL audio system
Lexus has Mark Levinson, and Toyota has JBL. They both come from the same parent company, which also produces Harman Kardon, which is found in many luxury vehicles. The RAV4 offers a loud and clear 11-speaker, 800-watt JBL system as standard in the Limited trim and optional in the XLE Premium trim.

Digital rearview mirror
No rear pillars nor passengers’ heads can block the view as this “mirror” becomes a video monitor showing an unobstructed image behind the RAV4. It’s an option in the 2025 RAV4 Limited.

Heated outboard rear seats
Also optional with the plushest Limited trim, heated rear seats are more typically a feature in luxury SUVs.

The 2025 RAV4 uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 203 hp. That’s a little above average in this class – a bit more than rivals like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Kia Sportage. Power is routed to the front or all wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 Toyota RAV4 can tow up to 1,500 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty on a 2025 RAV4 lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These are quite typical for the class. Toyota also includes two years or 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance.

Safety

The Toyota RAV4 garners Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It earns the top 5-Star score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).