2017 Toyota RAV4 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byJason KavanaghSenior Vehicle Test Engineer

　　Jason joined zzdcar' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.

　　

What’s new

　　For 2017, the Toyota RAV4 gains a host of driver assistance features as standard equipment, including a forward collision mitigation system, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise. The range-topping Platinum trim level is new this year.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　The RAV4 was modestly refreshed in 2016 with updated exterior styling and redesigned cabin, but it hasn't been fundamentally changed under the skin since it was introduced in 2013. The segment has heated up in recent years, though, and the RAV4's well-rounded middle-of-the-road-ness has left an opening for the competition. There are sportier or equally versatile choices that offer better fuel economy, but there isn't one single compact crossover that tops all the charts, so the RAV4 is still very competitive.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 LE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$145/mo  for RAV4 LE

　　RAV4 LE

　　LE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $24,410 MSRPLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $25,810 MSRPXLE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,500 MSRPXLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $26,900 MSRPSE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $28,790 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $30,190 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $30,905 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $32,305 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $34,750 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $36,150 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

3.5 / 5

　　User-friendly and versatile, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is a popular compact crossover. The driving experience won't quicken your pulse, but the RAV4's priority on cabin comfort and cargo accommodation will appeal to family-oriented shoppers seeking day-to-day usefulness.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited (2.5L 4-cyl.; AWD; 6-speed automatic).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current RAV4 has received some revisions, including a cabin and styling refresh for 2016, additional features, and the addition of the Hybrid variant and SE and Platinum trim levels. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's RAV4.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	3.5 / 5
Driving	3.5
Comfort	4.0
Interior	4.0

　　

Driving

3.5

　　Overall performance is quite good in the RAV4. It handles as well as most competitors and only trails the turbocharged entries in the class when it comes to acceleration.

　　

Acceleration

3.0

　　Acceleration from the 176-horsepower four-cylinder is about average for the crossover segment; the V6 option that was an option last year is no longer available. The engine can feel coarse at higher rpm, and noise is prevalent.

　　

Braking

3.0

　　At about 125 feet to stop from 60 mph, the RAV's panic-braking performance is just about average. The pedal feel in normal use, on the other hand, is better than that of most competitors.

　　

Steering

3.0

　　The electric power steering provides decent feel in the RAV4. Steering effort is adjustable but defaults to light. You can select Sport mode if you prefer more steering weight.

　　

Handling

3.5

　　Handling is a strength in AWD RAV4s. It's well balanced and predictable, making it easy to drive.

　　

Drivability

3.0

　　The RAV's six-speed transmission provides good gear spacing, but response to requests — especially downshifts — is sluggish. It tends to hunt for the correct gear on grades.

　　

Off-road

3.0

　　A lockable center differential and short overhangs give the RAV4 a slight edge compared to its direct rivals. But it is still a light-duty off-roader at best.

　　

Comfort

4.0

　　Overall, the RAV4 is exactly as comfortable as we expect. Its accommodations are spacious, and its seats are soft enough for hours in the saddle. Its agreeable ride quality is also a plus.

　　

Seat comfort

4.0

　　The RAV's seats are not hugely supportive, but they are quite comfortable on longer trips.

　　

Ride comfort

3.0

　　It's quite good, though our Limited model's 18-inch wheels and tires compromised ride quality to a small degree.

　　

Noise & vibration

4.5

　　Noise suppression is good in the RAV4. No potential noise source draws undue attention to itself, and it's quieter than many competitors.

　　

Interior

4.0

　　Our Limited example offered a leather-covered dash, shifter, seats and steering wheel. Overall, this is big step up for the RAV4 in both materials and design.

　　

Ease of use

3.5

　　Most controls are well placed and easy to reach. The primary controls for the climate control and audio systems are large and obvious but have a slightly flimsy feel to them.

　　

Getting in/getting out

4.0

　　Large, wide-opening doors make it easy to get in and out of both the front and rear seats.

　　

Roominess

3.0

　　The RAV's cabin is large for the driver and the front passenger. Rear seat room is generous.

　　

Visibility

3.5

　　No significant blind spots are present in the RAV4. Even rear-quarter visibility is good. The rearview camera helps. It's remarkably easy to park.

　　

Quality

3.5

　　The build quality is better than in the previous RAV4 but no better than that of most competitors.

　　

Utility

　　Outstanding cargo area size and versatility are tempered by cabin storage options that are so-so by comparison.

　　

Small-item storage

　　Compromised cupholder placement and limited small item storage leave the RAV a step behind its competitors.

　　

Cargo space

4.5

　　Class-leading cargo space and rear seats that fold nearly flat are very good. The liftover height is low. A power liftgate is rare in this segment.

　　

Which RAV4 does zzdcar recommend?

　　Like many such compact crossovers, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is available with all-wheel drive. However, we give the nod to the front-wheel-drive variant unless you live in a frequently slick region or other such limited-traction environments. We recommend going for the XLE trim level, which offers a nice bump in equipment (such as improved seats and dual-zone climate control) over the base LE. We also prefer the XLE's 17-inch wheels to the less forgiving 18-inch wheels and tires found on the uplevel Limited trim.

　　

2017 Toyota RAV4 models

　　The RAV4 comes in LE, XLE, SE, Limited and Platinum trim levels. All are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and all are equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (176 horsepower, 172 pound-feet of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission. Accordingly, the decision on which trim level is right for you comes down to creature comforts rather than mechanical fortitude.

　　The LE has a decent array of standard equipment, but most shoppers will want to set their sights on the XLE and up. The XLE grants you dual-zone climate control, improved seat contours, the  enhanced Entune multimedia system and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

　　The SE is purportedly the sport-tuned version, though in our experience the handling difference is not significant. In the bargain, the SE comes with different exterior trim, LED headlights and premium vinyl upholstery.

　　Limited models add 18-inch wheels, navigation and driver-seat memory functions, while the range-topping Platinum trim level (new for 2017) provides yet more amenities and unique trim.

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2017 RAV4 Highlights

Trim: LEXLESELimitedPlatinumLE

　　

Base MSRP	$24,410
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$145/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	38.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles