8 Reasons The Toyota RAV4 Is So Popular (Must Read)

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular vehicles on the road today. It was purchased over 1 million times in 2019 before the pandemic hit.

But what makes this vehicle so special? Why do people love it so much?

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons why the RAV4 is so popular and discuss why this vehicle is such a great option for drivers and their families.

1. Famous Reliability

Toyota RAV4 Average Maintenance Costs Per Year
Toyota RAV4 Average Maintenance Costs Per Year

One of the main reasons why the Toyota RAV4 is so popular is thanks to its exceptional reliability. This car will last a long time without needing major repairs and It regularly receives high marks for reliability from respected publications such as ConsumerReports.

The popular Toyota SUV also has very low maintenance costs. Data from RepairPal tells us that the average annual maintenance cost for all vehicles is $652, while the Toyota RAV4 has maintenance costs of only $429 per year.

2. Excellent Resale Value

Toyota RAV4 Resale Value
Toyota RAV4 Resale Value

Unlike many cars, the RAV4 holds its value extremely well. Assuming you drive 12,000 miles per year and keep your car in excellent condition, the RAV4 will still be worth 87% of its original price after a year. 

After five years and 60,000 miles, you can expect to get 70% of the sticker price for it. This is very unusual because most other cars have lost at least half their value after five years. 

The reason why the RAV4 depreciates so slowly is that it can last for 250,000 miles or more. Even if it has been used for five years, it can still go for another ten or more. That’s why drivers are willing to pay a high price for a used RAV4. 

Related Article: 12 Cars Similar To The RAV4 (With Pictures)

3. Lots of Trim Options

RAV4 Trim Options via ToyotaJeff Reviews

While most car brands only offer three to five trim levels, Toyota gives drivers many more options. The RAV4 comes in twelve variations: 

  • The LE
  • The Hybrid LE
  • The XLE
  • The Hybrid XLE
  • The XLE Premium 
  • The Hybrid XLE Premium 
  • The Premium 
  • The Adventure
  • The TRD Off-Road
  • The Hybrid SE
  • The Hybrid XSE
  • The Limited
  • The Hybrid Limited

The lowest trim, the LE, has a starting price of $26,975, and the most luxurious RAV4, the Hybrid Limited, starts at $38,075. Because of this wealth of choice, the car appeals to many different types of drivers. You can generally choose the features you want, without having to pay for anything you won’t use. 

4. They’re Practical

Toyota RAV4 Camping
Toyota RAV4 Camping

One of the main reasons why so many people buy the RAV4 is that it is an extremely practical car. There are two rows of seats, so five people will easily fit. This makes the RAV4 a popular car with small and medium-sized families. 

When you need to transport bulky objects, you can fold down the back row of seats. This increases the amount of cargo space available. What’s more, some of the RAV4 trims have a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Drivers can pull two motorcycles, a fiberglass fishing boat, jet skis, snowmobiles, a pop-up trailer, or a utility trailer. 

5. They Get Decent Gas Mileage

Fuel economy is an important factor for many people and RAV4s (especially the hybrid ones) get relatively good gas mileage compared to other compact SUVs.

The top 2022 option is the RAV4 Hybrid AWD with a 2.5L, four-cylinder engine. It gets 41 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway, so 40 mpg combined. This is excellent when compared to the average American car, which gets around 25 mpg combined. 

Even if you choose the least efficient RAV4, which is the AWD TRD OFFROAD version, you can still get 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, so 28 mpg combined.  

6. Good on Snow, Grass, Mud, & Gravel

Toyota RAV4 Driving Off Road
Toyota RAV4 Driving Off Road

Because the RAV4 comes with a number of helpful safety features and has high ground clearance, it performs very well on all kinds of terrains. No matter if you’re driving in snow, on grass, in mud, or on gravel, you won’t have to worry about your car. 

To further stabilize the RAV4 when the weather conditions are bad, there are special modes designed for various situations. For example, when you activate Snow Mode, the traction control is increased, the power is reduced, and the throttle input is lower. Aside from Normal Mode, there are also Mud/Sand and Rock/Dirt modes. 

Related Article: Toyota RAV4 Years To Avoid (Read First)

7. They’re Fun To Drive

Toyota RAV4 In The Mountains
Toyota RAV4 In The Mountains

One of the reasons why crossover SUVs are so popular is that they are very easy and fun to drive. The RAV4 gives you much more space than a regular car, so you don’t feel squashed even on long drives. At the same time, it is much simpler to handle than a larger SUV or a truck. 

To further enhance your driving experience, Toyota has fitted this car with several driving modes. If you need to save on gas, you can turn on Eco Mode, but if you’d like some more excitement and power, you can opt for Sport Mode. 

Related Article: RAV4 Tires & Wheels (Ultimate Guide)

8. They Get Excellent Safety Ratings

Toyota RAV4 Safety Ratings
Toyota RAV4 Safety Ratings

When buying a car for the whole family, safety is one of the most important considerations. The RAV4 comes with all the standard driver assists, so it is a popular option for people with children. 

Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection are just some of the features that are included with the RAV4. You will also get adaptive cruise control, and you can buy additional safety packages if necessary. 

What’s more, this car ranks very highly in crash tests. It protects the driver and the passengers from all angles, and it is unlikely to roll over during a collision. This reassures drivers and makes them feel more comfortable during their journeys. 

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