Ranked: 2023 Toyota RAV4 Trims From Worst to Best
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 could be the best small SUV of 2023. It certainly has the potential to be the bestselling small SUV of 2023. The RAV4 comes in six unique trim levels for different types of consumers. How do the 2023 Toyota RAV4 trim levels stack up?
2023 Toyota RAV4 Adventure: Not quite the TRD Off-Road
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Adventure is the fourth RAV4 trim level. The RAV4 Adventure is one of two different off-road RAV4 configurations. It isn’t as desirable as other RAV4 trims because it is the second-best off-road RAV4 trim.
If you want the most capable Toyota RAV4 trim, the TRD Off-Road is worth the price difference. The RAV4 Adventure provides decent value for its $33,770 starting price, but it isn’t appealing to drivers without a need for off-road features, and it isn’t the best RAV4 off-road trim.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE: Not as premium as the Premium
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE is a step up from the base model LE, but the Premium predictably offers more premium features. It starts at $29,085. The XLE Premium starts at $31,975. For a price difference of $2,890, consumers get SofTex-trimmed seats, remote keyless entry, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The XLE isn’t the best RAV4 trim because upper trim levels offer better creature comforts for prices that are still affordable.
The RAV4 LE is too basic for the average consumer
The Toyota RAV4 LE base model starts at $27,575. It’s too barebones for the average consumer because of fabric-trimmed seats and plastic interior components. The RAV4 LE can’t compare to upper trim levels like the RAV4 XLE Premium.
Toyota’s RAV4 Limited is loaded with the best RAV4 features
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Limited comes standard with a power tilt/slide moonroof with one-touch open/close, heated outside mirrors with blind spot warning indicators, and heated/ventilated front seating. It also includes blue ambient illumination for in-dash shelves, a dark brown-accented interior, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
The RAV4 Limited is the penultimate RAV4 trim. It has the best safety and driver assistance features of all RAV4 trims. It isn’t the best trim for the money because its starting price of $35,880 is too high for the average consumer.
The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road is ready to hit the trails
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road starts at $37,195. It comes standard with a TRD-tuned independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, a multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar, and a TRD-stamped stainless steel front skid plate.
The small SUV features hill start assist control, dynamic torque vectoring all-wheel drive, and active cornering assist. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road is the best RAV4 off-road option because it’s equipped to handle mild off-road trails. That being said, off-roading SUVs are still a niche market, so the TRD Off-Road isn’t the best RAV4 trim for the money.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium is perfectly balanced
The Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium is the best RAV4 trim because it perfectly balances affordability and great standard features. The RAV4 XLE Premium comes with more creature comforts than the XLE, and it’s more affordable than the RAV4 Limited. Car and Driver recommends the XLE Premium over all other RAV4 trims because it’s the best fit for the average driver.
