Faced with stiff competition within its own segment, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 soldiers on as a reliable, comfortable, and well-equipped alternative to entries from Honda, Nissan, Ford, and Chevrolet. And with a a new set of safety equipment and a sporty trim for 2018, the RAV4 has two more arrows in its quiver.
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What you must know before buying the Toyota RAV4- 2018 RAV4 is here, but redesign looms
- Lease: From $199 for 36 months (LE FWD)
- Finance: 0.9% APR for 60 months
- Rebate: Up to $500 factory cash back
Redesign in 2019 to bring in new styling and trims:
The 2018 RAV4 features a new, more rugged Adventure model, which boasts a higher ride height and blacked-out styling, but it is otherwise the same as the 2017 model.
When you get to the dealer, be aware that LE models, which now come standard with Toyota Safety Sense, have been popular due to their lower price and may be hard to find. On the flipside, the XLE trims are the easiest to find.
Toyota recently revealed the redesigned 2019 RAV4, which boasts a more rugged design and more trims than before. This could result in more deals on the current-generation RAV4 down the road, so stay tuned.
Toyota's deals are regional and set to expire April 30, 2018. All deals mentioned here assume a Southern California location.
Lease from $199/mo.:
The 2018 RAV4's promotional lease deal is a 36-month contract that runs $199 per month with $1,999 due at signing (12,000 miles per year).
With an effective cost of $255, this is an amazing value given the vehicle's $25,629 MSRP.
Low APR available:
Buyers can choose from 0.9 percent APR for up to 60 months or 1.9 percent APR for up to 72 months on the 2018 RAV4.
Unfortunately, you cannot combine these deals with cash incentives, so choose which fits your situation better.
Get $500 back:
The 2018 RAV4's cash back incentive remains at $500 in April. Buyers cannot combine this deal with the low APR offering.
Redesign in 2019 to bring in new styling and trims:
The 2018 RAV4 features a new, more rugged Adventure model, which boasts a higher ride height and blacked-out styling, but it is otherwise the same as the 2017 model.
When you get to the dealer, be aware that LE models, which now come standard with Toyota Safety Sense, have been popular due to their lower price and may be hard to find. On the flipside, the XLE trims are the easiest to find.
Toyota recently revealed the redesigned 2019 RAV4, which boasts a more rugged design and more trims than before. This could result in more deals on the current-generation RAV4 down the road, so stay tuned.
Toyota's deals are regional and set to expire April 30, 2018. All deals mentioned here assume a Southern California location.
Lease from $199/mo.:
The 2018 RAV4's promotional lease deal is a 36-month contract that runs $199 per month with $1,999 due at signing (12,000 miles per year).
With an effective cost of $255, this is an amazing value given the vehicle's $25,629 MSRP.
Low APR available:
Buyers can choose from 0.9 percent APR for up to 60 months or 1.9 percent APR for up to 72 months on the 2018 RAV4.
Unfortunately, you cannot combine these deals with cash incentives, so choose which fits your situation better.
Get $500 back:
The 2018 RAV4's cash back incentive remains at $500 in April. Buyers cannot combine this deal with the low APR offering.
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Incentives and Rebates
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2018 Toyota RAV4 Overview
Matthew Keegan, Contributing EditorWhat's New for 2018
The 2018 RAV4 gains an all-new Adventure trim, available with both front- and all-wheel drive models. Toyota’s suite of driver-assist safety features, called Toyota Safety Sense Plus (lane departure warning with a steering assistant, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection), is now standard across the RAV4 line.
Choosing Your Toyota RAV4
Toyota offers the RAV4 in six grades: LE, XLE, Adventure, SE, Limited, and Platinum. Seating for five is standard with 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and 73.4 cubes with that seat folded.
All models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, which works alongside with a six-speed automatic transmission (a hybrid is available and is listed separately). All-wheel drive is available across the RAV4 product line, adding $1,400 to the base price across the board.
Going with all-wheel drive isn't the most efficient option, of course. The front-drive RAV4 returns 23 miles per gallon in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive drops those figures to 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
LE
The standard 2018 Toyota RAV4 LE costs $25,405 (including a $995 destination fee). This model offers automatic halogen projector-beam headlights, halogen daytime running lights, 17-inch steel wheels, roof rails, and a rear spoiler. Standard interior equipment includes keyless entry, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, a tilt and telescopic steering column, cloth seats, and a rearview camera.
As we said, there are no optional extras on the base RAV4.
XLE
Priced from $26,495, the RAV4 XLE adds integrated fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, power heated side mirrors, and a power tilt and slide moonroof. Other equipment includes dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power driver’s seat.
Optional extras include an $800 Plus Package, which adds push-button start, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, an Entune infotainment system with app-powered navigation (rather than Toyota's stock system), and a rear-view camera. You can also spend $1,215 and get the Power Package with a power-operated liftgate in the Power Plus Package. A $1,740 Power Premium Package takes all the aforementioned goodies and adds a more potent audio system. Front and rear parking sensors can also be bundled with those features via another Power Premium Package, which costs $2,240. Finally, a third Power Premium Package adds heated front and rear seats, for a total price of $2,620.
Adventure
Starting at $28,695, the all-new Adventure grade adds exterior styling and interior features designed to give a more rugged, sporty look. Large fender flares, 18-inch five-spoke black alloy wheels, and blacked-out trim dominate the RAV4 Adventure's exterior. Inside, this grade has a leather-wrapped shift knob, carbon-fiber-like trim panels, all-weather floor mats, and a 120-volt power outlet in the cargo compartment.
Option packages largely mirror the XLE, with the Plus Package contents available in two separate trims – a $1,065 version adds mud guards and a $2,090 Power Premium Package adds the mud guards and front and rear parking sensors.
SE
With a starting price of $29,785, the SE adds LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and sport suspension tuning. Other added equipment includes imitation leather seats, heated front seats, and push-button start.
The SE's options break the mold somewhat. The Plus Package is now called the Power Package and costs $1,010, although it doesn't include Entune infotainment or push-button start, since both standard. An Entune Premium JBL Package adds navigation, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and the Entune App Suite, which allows owners to download apps for their infotainment system. This $3,010 package already includes the Plus Package. Finally, $3,470 Advanced Technology Package adds a surround-view camera to the Entune/JBL pack.
Limited
Priced from $31,900, the RAV4 Limited brings in chrome touches to door handles and wheels. The side mirrors gain turn signal indicators. Driver seat memory, an automatic dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and additional leather and imitation leather touches are also apparent. Importantly, every feature from the Plus Package – push-button start, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, an Entune infotainment system with integrated navigation, and a rear-view camera – is standard on the Limited.
Because of the extra equipment, some packages carry a more affordable price. For example, the JBL audio setup that costs $3,010 on the SE is just $875 on the Limited. Likewise, the Advanced Technology Package is down from $3,470 to $2,025. There's also a version of the Advanced Technology Package that costs $2,235 and adds a foot-activated, power-operated liftgate.
Platinum
Starting at $35,745, the top-of-the-line Platinum grade doesn't offer any option packages since everything is standard – the Platinum trim gets everything from a foot-activated power liftgate to a heated steering wheel to a surround-view camera. If there's an option that's been listed on the previous trim levels, it's standard equipment on the plush RAV4 Platinum.
CarsDirect Tip
The RAV4 SE is our pick, as it offers a sport-tuned suspension along with many of the amenities customers desire in a small SUV. We'd suggest adding all-wheel drive, naturally, and then grabbing the Entune Premium JBL Package. Out the door, you'd be looking at a handsomely equipped crossover SUV for $33,200.
Our Take: 2018 Toyota RAV4
Steve Cypher, Contributing Writer
Six years into its current model cycle and following a mild facelift in 2016, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 remains a solid contender in the compact crossover class. But a roomy interior, smooth ride, and an array of standard advanced safety features are spoiled by offbeat styling cues, a lack of luxury features, and mediocre performance.
Best Value
Pricing begins at $25,405 (including a $995 destination charge) for a front-wheel drive model in LE trim and, five trim levels later, tops out at $37,540 for an all-wheel-drive Platinum model with the optional Ruby Red or Blizzard Pearl paint scheme.
With a single engine and transmission choice, a range of standard advanced safety features (rear view camera, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and automatic high beams), and no leather interior option, the choice narrows down to the level of equipment you want.
We'd opt for the Limited because it offers an easier-to-clean faux leather interior, brighter and more efficient LED headlights and taillights, a moonroof, a power liftgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated power-folding outside mirrors, heated front seats, a driver's memory function, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift lever, keyless push-button start, and a larger seven-inch touchscreen with navigation, in-vehicle apps, and satellite radio. Grab the $875 Entune Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite – the RAV4 isn't available with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so it's the best navigation setup available. The upgraded audio system doesn't hurt, either.
- Model:2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited
- Engine:2.5-liter four-cylinder
- Output:176 hp / 172 lb-ft
- Transmission:Six-speed automatic
- Drivetrain:All-wheel drive
- MPG:23 City / 29 Hwy
- Options:Entune Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite ($875, Entune infotainment system, navigation, 11-speaker JBL audio, HD radio, and Bluetooth connectivity)
- Base Price:$33,300
- Best Value Price:$34,175
Performance
The RAV4 excels at smooth, relaxed cruising. This is a comfortable everyday vehicle, managing bumps and road imperfections without complaint. It's quiet, too, with little wind and road noise.
But this is not a fast vehicle. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder just doesn't offer enough power, and compared to the turbocharged entry from Honda, it's totally lacking in usable low-end torque. And that comfortable ride? It means the RAV4 isn't the most agile entry in this class. And compared to the Mazda CX-5, the Toyota isolates its driver much more, both through the chassis and the steering.
Interior and Exterior
The RAV4's cabin is extremely functional. The material quality is fine and the layout is logical, with well-placed buttons and knobs. The front seats offer plenty of support for long-range driving, while the cargo area is easy to access and offers up to 73.4 cubic feet of space. That's a lot.
We'd like more adjustability from the tilt-telescopic steering – there's not quite enough range for taller drivers. And the lack of available leather upholstery is galling, especially on the range-topping Platinum trim, which can crest $35,000. Finally, we wouldn't mind a more comfortable, supportive second-row bench. As it stands, the front seats are far more comfortable over long distances.
On the exterior, we'd just like a little more personality. The RAV4 simply isn't very exciting or attractive to look at.
The Best and Worst Things
Toyota has equipped the RAV4 with a best-in-class array of advanced standard safety technologies on all trim levels. That said, the RAV4's ritziest trim just can't hold a candle to rivals from Honda, Mazda, or Ford.
Right For...
Safety-conscious buyers will appreciate the RAV4's extensive list of standard advanced active safety features.
Wrong For...
Beauty may be in the eyes of the beholder, but the RAV4's odd styling and lack of luxury touches mean the style-conscious need not apply.
The Bottom Line
Although the RAV4 remains a solid contender in the compact crossover class, buyers looking for performance and luxury touches should check out its competitors.
