Some automakers tend to produce cheap vehicles that make you wonder why they even bothered. Toyota is a rare exception. Even the cheaper models like the Yaris, which is one of the lowest-priced cars on the market, is well-made and more than worth the money. The Toyota RAV4 takes this level of superiority to a whole new level, and critics are going wild over it.

What does the Toyota RAV4 offer?

If you’re looking for a compact SUV that’s the full package, you can’t go wrong with the RAV4. The engine is a 2.5 liter four-cylinder that puts out 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. No other subcompact SUV has that much horsepower. It also gets some amazing fuel mileage, with 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

The interior is one of the best available in any SUV. It can set up to five people comfortably, which makes long road trips more tolerable. Rather than hard plastics everywhere, the RAV4 has lots of soft-touch surfaces that make it a pleasure to ride in. 

There are also tons of standard features, like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 7-inch touch screen that is user-friendly. Safety features include a rearview camera, pre-collision warning, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and pedestrian detection.

Why critics and consumers are in love with the RAV4

U.S. News ranked the Toyota RAV4 number 3 in the Compact SUV division, and awarded it the 2020 Best Compact SUV for Families award. Some of the things they liked about the RAV4 were the comfortable ride, standard features, and how fuel-efficient it is.

Car and Driver loved the RAV4’s rugged looks, as well as the expansive legroom. For someone looking for something more upscale, the Limited trim can keep up with luxury SUVs such as the Lexus NX.

Kelley Blue Book gave the RAV4 4.9 out of 5 stars, which is almost unheard of. What really helped the RAV4 stand out from the crowd was the great audio system offered at higher trim levels. It is also very reliable and scored well on its safety tests.

Even consumers are obsessed with the RAV4. On Cars.com, many owners couldn’t stop praise it enough, and the RAV4 has a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

One reviewer stated,

“I decided on the 2020 Rav4 XLE AWD because it is the total package. There is nothing that has been overlooked regarding comfort, drive ability, safety rating, and visual aesthetic. It is the best value for the money. I’m a Toyota customer for life!”

Even the mighty Toyota RAV4 isn’t perfect, but it’s close

MotorTrend was the only critic who had much of anything negative to say, and some of it contradicts what others reported. In fact, some of the things mentioned are so minor, some might think that MotorTrend had to search for things to knock down the RAV4’s score. 

One of the complaints was that there wasn’t enough headroom, but other critics like Car and Driver disagreed. Others tended to match what MotorTrend thought, like the unrefined drivetrain.

Apparently the engine really roars when under heavy throttle. One thing that wasn’t mentioned in MotorTrend’s review was the fact that the RAV4 might be a little pricey compared to other rivals.

According to Cars.com, there is already one recall on the RAV4. The engine leaks coolant, but Toyota will replace the engine without any costs to owners. The recall starts April 6, 2020. So if you’re considering a Toyota RAV4, you won’t be disappointed.