Item: 2017 Toyota RAV4
Author: Justin Cupler

Overview

A longtime staple of the compact crossover class, the RAV4 continues to rack up sales with its sheer practicality and sterling reliability record. Like other successful Toyota models, the RAV4 delivers exactly what the majority of buyers want in its segment.

What's New for 2017

Every RAV4 now comes with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. That's big news for this class. The plush Platinum model joins the lineup.

Choosing Your Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 once again shines on the inside with legitimate room for five passengers and 38.4 cubic feet of cargo. With the rear seat folded, you're looking at 73.3 cubic feet of virtually flat load space, a figure that's unsurpassed in this class.

All models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 176 horsepower, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. As expected, the RAV4 is a front-driver with all-wheel drive optional. You can expect about 26 mpg in combined city and highway driving, or 25 mpg with all-wheel drive. (The hybrid version is reviewed separately.)

The RAV4 is available in four trim levels:

CarsDirect Tip

The XLE offers the most attractive balance of price and features, and can be dressed up as you see fit. We're skeptical of the new Platinum, which is priced like a luxury crossover, but doesn't even offer genuine leather seats.

Get your price on a Toyota RAV4 »

John Diether

Automotive Editor - December 06, 2016

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Expert Review

Expert Rating

Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Justin Cupler

Automotive Editor - February 21, 2017

Following a significant refresh in 2016, the Toyota RAV4 continues with the same appearance inside and out. It does, however, gain plenty of new standard safety features, making this already safe crossover even better for families.

Pricing and Equipment

The Toyota RAV4 starts at $25,870 for its base LE trim level with front-wheel drive – for an extra $1,400 buyers can opt for all-wheel drive to handle slippery conditions. The LE is fine, but we expect most consumers will gravitate towards the midrange XLE trim, which starts at $27,790 and comes with:

Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels
Dual-zone climate control
Moonroof
Fog lights
Entune infotainment system

The RAV4’s trim levels range from simple in the LE to fully loaded in the $37,110 Platinum trim, giving plenty of options to a wide range of buyers.

Performance Pros

The RAV4 is more refined and comfortable on the road than before.
The transmission keeps the engine revs low at highway speeds, helping minimize noise.
On models with all-wheel drive, the “4WD Lock” mode adds confidence when trekking through deeper snow.

Performance Cons

Under a full load of people and cargo, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine feels strained.
The SE trim’s sport-tuned suspension is barely noticeable.
The all-wheel-drive system doesn’t help any with normal drivability like it does on some sportier crossovers.

Interior Pros

There are plenty of storage cubbies for all your pocket-dwelling items.
Lots of cargo room with up to 73.4 cubes with the rear seats folded flat – even the 38.4 cubic feet with the seats up is good.
Comfortable front seats are great on long-distance journeys.

Interior Cons

The dashboard can be a little busy for some buyers.
The base LE trim is loaded with hard, scratchy plastic, giving it a cheaper look and feel.
The rear seats lack cushioning and support.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The Toyota RAV4 was already an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, and things get better in 2017. It now features standard Toyota Safety Sense, which adds forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

In the day and age where crossovers are becoming more polished to drive, the RAV4 is behind the curve. Yes, it’s improved over previous years, but it still lacks the stability and confidence of its competition.

The Bottom Line

The 2017 RAV4 will satisfy customers looking for a roomy and comfortable crossover with plenty of features to choose from, but it will disappoint those looking for a more engaging drive.

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.5L I-4 / 176 HP / 172 ft.lbs.

Transmission

6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

23 / 30 / 26 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.5L I-4 / 176 HP / 172 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	23 / 30 / 26 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent Double Wishbone
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	15.9 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$61

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	73.4 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	102 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	183.5 "
Exterior Width	72.6 "
Exterior Height	67.1 "
Front Headroom	39.8 "
Rear Headroom	38.9 "
Front Legroom	42.6 "
Rear Legroom	37.2 "
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 "
Rear Shoulder Room	55.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	3,455 Lbs.
Wheel Base	105 "
Turning Radius	17.4 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	17.0 " Steel / 18.0 " Silver Bbs Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Stripe
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote Convex Spotter
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Body-colored W/chrome Accents
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Cloth / Leatherette
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	6-way
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	60-40 Split-bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Am/fm, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers	6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Driver
Tinted Windows	Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	3

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag	Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Pre-collision System (pcs) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Alert (lda) W/steering Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection	Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months	24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months	24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2017 Toyota RAV4 for Sale

8 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area

2017 Toyota RAV4

Get a CARFAX Record Check

Color: Green

Price

$16,990

Mileage

81,970 mi

Austra Motors (4 mi)

Phone: (310) 973-0409

2017 Toyota RAV4

Get a CARFAX Record Check

Price

$17,987

Mileage

79,009 mi

Thousand Oaks Toyota (31 mi)

Phone: (805) 497-2791

2017 Toyota RAV4

Free CARFAX Report

XLE

Color: Gray

Price

$17,999

Mileage

103,550 mi

Northridge Toyota (23 mi)

Phone: (818) 532-3635

2017 Toyota RAV4

Get a CARFAX Record Check

Price

$19,393

Mileage

79,201 mi

Hyundai Santa Monica (8 mi)

See All Used Car Listings

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2017 Toyota RAV4

Overview

What's New for 2017

Choosing Your Toyota RAV4

LE

XLE

Limited

Platinum

Expert Review

Pricing and Equipment

Performance Pros

Performance Cons

Interior Pros

Interior Cons

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The Bottom Line

Specs & Features

Used 2017 Toyota RAV4 for Sale

2017 Toyota RAV4

$16,990

81,970 mi

Austra Motors (4 mi)

2017 Toyota RAV4

$17,987

79,009 mi

Thousand Oaks Toyota (31 mi)

2017 Toyota RAV4

$17,999

103,550 mi

Northridge Toyota (23 mi)

2017 Toyota RAV4

$19,393

79,201 mi

Hyundai Santa Monica (8 mi)

Insider Information

All Model Years

Find More Information on Toyota Vehicles