2017 Toyota RAV4

Still part of the same generation introduced in 2013, the Toyota RAV4 has skimmed through the years without any major updates, and so will the 2017 RAV4. Available in a five-trim lineup, namely the LE, XLE, SE, Limited, and Platinum trims, prices for the same start from an MSRP of $24,410 for the base trim and go all the way up to $34,750 for the premium Platinum trim. Available in a standard FWD setup, AWD setup can also be optioned with the 2017 RAV4 for a premium of $1,400.

All of the above-mentioned trims regardless of the feature set they possess will be powered by a similar 2.5L 4-cylinder engine unit coupled with the efficient 6-speed automatic transmission, that also powered the 2016 Toyota RAV4. The latest addition to the trim lineup, the top-of-the-line Platinum trim, delivers a unique premium interior setup, with the latest creature comforts on offer including the SofTex-trimmed reclining fully-adjustable seats and also an Entune infotainment system with Premium JBL Audio set.

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All-in-all a worthy offering for the starting price tag of $24,410, all the trims from this lineup offer the best-in-class value. Nevertheless, if we had to recommend one, we would ask you to opt for the Limited trim, which comes at a price of $30,905, as it is the best-valued trim. With features like bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, driver-adjustable seats with memory function, and LED DRLs, it's as good as the new kid on the block, the premium "Platinum" trim.

Whilst far removed from anything that could be considered exciting or lively, the Toyota RAV4 is nevertheless a stable, straightforward and incredibly easy vehicle to spend time driving."-CarBuzz

2017 Toyota RAV4 Engine & Transmission

Running point on the performance front of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is a familiar 2.5L naturally aspirated Inline-4 engine, that is able to push out a decent 176 hp @ 6,000 RPM and also 172 lb-ft of torque. This when coupled to the standard 6-speed automatic transmission unit is able to transfer the power to either the front wheels or to all the wheels without hindrance.

The Toyota RAV4 compact SUV produces a decent amount of torque considering the car's entry-level SUV nature. This allows it to also have the segment-best acceleration times too. Having said that, overtaking maneuvers are not an issue at all for the RAV4. Eventually, there also seems to be a RAV4 hybrid in the works for later this year.

The Mazda CX-5 just inches ahead of the CR-V and RAV4 in terms of power and torque figures. Whereas, the Ford Escape's I-VCT engine lacks in power when compared to the competitors, and that is to be seen in its acceleration times too.

2017 Toyota RAV4 0-60 MPH Acceleration

With the mediocre 176 hp 2.5L NA Inline-4 engine running point on the compact SUV's performance duties, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is able to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just 8.3 seconds, all the while crossing the quarter-mile mark in just about 16.7 seconds. This makes it the fastest SUV in the segment, despite its 3455 lbs heft. Also, the 6-speed automatic transmission unit delivers precise shifts for the SUV to be able to achieve those speeds.

Compact SUVs are not meant to provide you with extraordinary acceleration figures, and thus, which is evident from the RAV4's competition. In the budget SUV segment, the Ford Escape with a 168 hp Inline-4 engine turns out to be the slowest, owing it all to its segment-leading 3526 lb curb weight.

2017 Toyota RAV4 Ride & Handling

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 is boosted with a competent though not the most powerful engine in the segment that offers best-in-class 0-60 acceleration results and also aids in an inspiring ride and handling dynamics. In the compact SUV segment, the handling of the RAV4 is quite impressive as the steering offers good grip and confidence to take on corners, whereas the 3455 lb curb weight also aids in sufficient body roll too.

Often dubbed as a soft-roader, the 2017 RAV4 should be able to take on the beaten path quite easily, but its hard-hitting suspension lets it down completely. Further, driver-assist features like the steering assist include tech such as the lane departure warning which adds more confidence to the riding experience. Moreover, the effortless transmission of the 6-speed automatic only adds to the experience.

2017 Toyota RAV4 Braking

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 is equipped with one of the smallest brake discs in the segment. With an 11.5-inch front disc and 10.8-inch back ones, the 2017 RAV4 is able to come to a dead stop from 60 MPH in a rather poor 125 ft. Compared to the competition, it isn't impressive at all. The braking performance is below average for this compact SUV despite the latest and advanced braking tech included onboard.

Some other competitors in the segment like the Ford Escape, and the Honda CR-V offer commendable braking performances in the entry-level compact SUV segment as they come to a stop in just 112 and 117 feet in the 60-0 deceleration test respectively.

2017 Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity

As and when equipped with a decent 2.5L NA I4 engine, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 offers an average towing capacity of 1500 Ibs which is acceptable as most competitors in the segment offer almost the same towing capacities.

Being a compact SUV, 1500 lbs of the RAV4 is well beyond acceptable, but the Mazda CX-5, with its best in class power figures from its similar 2.5L I4 engine is able to tow along 2000 lbs, thus deeming it to be the segment-best SUV.

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 powered by a 2.5L engine is able to deliver 23 MPG in the city and about 30 miles to the gallon out on the highway, which makes it one of the segment-best fuel-efficient compact SUV offerings. Toyota prides itself in delivering fuel-efficient cars, aside from them being reliable ones, and such is the case with the RAV4. Back that with the segment-best 15.9-gallon fuel tank, and the RAV4 is able to stretch out to 477 miles on the go.

Fuel economy is one of the foremost criteria for ardent buyers in this segment, and Toyota is fully aware of it. On the other hand, Ford Escape might have the least MPG figures of the lot, but its 15.7-gallon fuel tank is enough to take it out for 455 miles on a stretch. Whereas the Honda CR-V is let down by its smallest 14-gallon fuel tank despite having the maximum combined fuel economy of 28 MPG.

Though the overall design of the cabin may be considered bland to some, the Toyota RAV4’s interior can’t be faulted with regards to build quality - CarBuzz

2017 Toyota RAV4 Seating & Comfort

Last redesigned a few years back, the interior of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 delivers a clean but bland dashboard layout of relatively cheap plastic fitings. Nothing sort of inspires the average buyer to want to be seated in an SUV like this. With a passenger seating capacity of 5, one thing's for sure, that the RAV4 has cracked it big with eh space it has to offer, both in the front and the rear seats. Comfort takes precedence in the RAV4, with adequate space for average-sized adults.

Creature comforts are plenty, especially with the introduction of the new high-rise Platinum trim, which gets standard power-adjustable passenger seats, and driver memory seats. On the infotainment front, the same 2016 RAV4 Multi-Information Display (MID) infotainment system takes care of the entertainment duties, although without the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features onboard. For audiophiles out there, Toyota also brings in the premium Entune JBL Audio setup with the new Platinum trim.

On paper, the Honda CR-V manages to offer its customers with the best-in-class cabin space, while the sleek Mazda CX-5 loses out on passenger volume to the rest of the segment. Nevertheless, having said all of this, you won't mind spending time inside the RAV4's cabin, despite its rudimentary interior layout.

2017 Toyota RAV4 Cargo Space

As mentioned above, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is big on cabin space, and that is reciprocated well enough to the cargo front too. With the rear seats upright, the 2017 RAV4 has 38.4 cu. ft of cargo space, and when the seats are folded down in a 60/40 manner, the space increases to 73.4 cu. ft. The boot is convenient to use and is easily accessible. The foldable rear seats are standard though an automatic power liftgate is only available in upper trims.

At last, Toyota has stressed well upon the boot volume while designing the 2017 RAV4 SUV. The boot can easily hold three large-size cargo bags and a medium-sized suitcase which is impressive. 2017 RAV4 has more than enough cargo space for all the storage needs of your family. Honda CR-V again impresses us with its best-in-class, huge cargo volume of 39.2 cu. ft which is slightly higher than that of the RAV4.

Since there have been reports suggesting that the Toyota RAV4 might get a complete makeover from head to toe in the year 2019, we find ourselves with the same quirky exterior design layout brought to us with the 2016 RAV4 in the 2017 iteration too. Toyota's unmistakable design language is seen along the width of the compact RAV4 SUV. With no further feature additions, it still gets the same 17-inch wheels in the lower trims, while the higher trims benefit from the 18-inch ones.

Refreshed for the year 2016, the same cutting-edge design and slightly aggressive character lines flowing down the hood can be witnessed in the 2017 MY as well. The sporty and versatile SUV is a good offering for ardent buyers looking for their daily driver in the compact SUV segment. Built in Canada, the sloping roofline of the RAV4 neatly blends into the tailgate, giving it a sportier appearance altogether.

Taling about the dimensions, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is one of the lightest SUV of the lot, thus aiding it in segment-best acceleration times. Moreover, despite the lower 6.1-inch ground clearance, the RAV4 manages to pave its way through the unbeaten path with relative ease. It looks larger from the outside than it is on the inside despite its 104.7-inch wheelbase.

Safety is one such area, wherein Toyota does not leave any loose ends. Take the case of the 2017 RAV4, which not only scored an impressive 5/5 overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA which is better than most of the competitors in the segment but it also was awarded the "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the prestigious IIHS safety guard. This not only makes it the safest SUV in its class but also one of the safest in the US. The 2017 RAV4 is well-equipped on the safety front, with Toyota adding in additional features such as the forward collision mitigation system and lane departure warning system as standard across the trim lineup.

Some of the standard safety features on offer are-

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• LATCH
• Smart parking assist

2017 Toyota RAV4 vs 2017 Ford Escape

Despite the same engine configuration in both the 2017 RAV4 and the 2017 Escape, the RAV4 turns out to be the fastest in the segment, courtesy of its lower heft. To put it into perspective, there is hardly any area where the Ford Escape can outshine the Toyota RAV4.

Although, the RAV4 can take certain cues of the Escape's interior design language to bring some inspiration to its own cabin layout. Moreover, the Toyota RAv4 has a far better feature list, which makes it the obvious choice of the two.

2017 Toyota RAV4 vs 2017 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has for long maintained its supremacy over the compact SUV segment, but that is up for debate now as the 2017 Toyota RAV4 has come to set its stand with all guns blazing. The Honda CR-V is probably the RAV4's closest competitor.

Nevertheless, the RAV4 is much faster and yet much safer too than the veteran itself. However, the choice boils down to the buyers themselves, as to what they'd like to buy.

Popular among the masses, the Toyota RAV4 is back in 2017 for another stint, but this time with no major changes unlike what we had witnessed for the year 2016. Nevertheless, the RAV4 is still a pretty decent buy for the starting price of MSRP $24,410. With the best acceleration figures, quirky exterior design layout, and being dubbed as the safest vehicle in the segment, there is hardly any competition from the rest.