When it comes to the compact SUV market, there truly is nothing like the RAV4, and Toyota has sales numbers to prove it. It is consistently one of the best-selling cars in the world. The RAV4 gives owners a ton of confidence with a proven drivetrain, solid fuel economy with plug-in hybrid options, and a low price that is only beaten by vehicles with a ton of cut corners in their design.

Recently, J.D. Power published the results of their 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study, also known as the APEAL study. This study consists entirely of consumer data by having RAV4 owners rank every aspect of their vehicle from their favorite to their least favorite. Because this study uses a ranking system, consumers truly have to consider every aspect of their vehicle, and no one aspect can be ignored. With the results of this study in hand, here is everything you need to know about the top three areas of their cars that Toyota RAV4 owners like the most.

Toyota RAV4 owners love the exterior styling of their SUV

The aspect that consumers enjoy the most about the Toyota RAV4 is the exterior styling, and with a tried and true design, it is easy to see why. The RAV4 offers some aggressive angular elements with a hint of even more flair with bright, striking paint color options. The RAV4 was designed with emotion in mind. In the words of Toyota’s design team, people buy SUVs for emotional reasons, not just practical reasons.

The RAV4 is distinctly different by not fitting the traditional mold of other crossover SUVs, which add passenger car traits to the exterior for the vehicle to be more approachable. The RAV4 is a crossover SUV that still has the heart and emotion of a full-size SUV, just with more daily driving practicality. It succeeds in its design because of that, and according to the APEAL study, consumers agree; the RAV4 nailed the design.

Owners like how it feels to drive their SUV

Placing second in the APEAL study for the Toyota RAV4 is the driving feel of the RAV4. The SUV feels comfortable for long-distance trips with comfortable seats and solid acceleration.

Yes, the it is comfortable and easy to drive behind the wheel, but this SUV’s ability to feel like a capable, traditional SUV despite its small size and standard front-wheel drive layout.

RAV4 owners feel safe behind the wheel

The RAV4 is a Toyota, and with that brand name comes a ton of safety-first design language. The RAV4 is a very safe vehicle to own, with the 2023 model receiving five out of five stars in safety, according to the NHTSA.

When it comes to safety features, the RAV4 comes with a rearview camera, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam headlights as standard features.

For optional features, the RAV4 comes with front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, blind spot monitoring, and a digital rearview mirror.

When it comes to design, drivability, and safety, the Toyota RAV4 owners had nothing but good things to say.