2017 Toyota RAV4

Starting at a price of $24,410, Toyota RAV4 five trims including the base trim. Interestingly, AWD is available at all trim levels at an additional cost of $1,400. Themain highlights of 2017 Toyota RAV4 include a decent 2.5L I4 engine, HLED headlights, sturdy build quality, and impressive cargo capacity. The major rivals of "2017 Toyota RAV4 Compact SUV " are Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V LX, and Mazda CX-5 sport. Let's find out, How does the 2017 RAV compete with its competitors in different segments ?

2017 RAV CSUV features five trims named as LE, SE, XLE, Limited, and Premium, with price tags of $24,410, $28,790, $25,500, $30,905, and $34,750 respectively. All trims are equipped with the same 2.5L I4 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Front wheel drive is standard on all trims though AWD can be added in each trim at an additional cost of $1,400. The main highlights of the LE (base) trim are 17-inch alloy wheels, Halogen projector-beam headlights, Power outside mirrors with folding, Tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and a backup camera on the baord. The XLE trim adds dual-zone climate control, improved seat contours, and an advanced Entune multimedia system to the base trim. The SE trim adds Daytime Running LED lights, LED projector-beam headlights, 8-way power-adjustable seats, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, and steering mounted paddle shifters to the XLE trim.

Trim	LE	SE	XLE	Limited	Platinum
MSRP	$24,410	$28,790	$25,500	$30,905	$34,750
MSRP (AWD)	$25,810	$30,190	$26,900	$32,305	$36,150
Key Features	Halogen projector-beam headlights with auto on/off feature Power outside mirrors with folding feature and blind spot mirrors Tilt/telescopic urethane steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), advanced voice recognition12 and Bluetooth®14 hands-free phone controls Backup camera5 with projected path	LED projector-beam headlights with auto on/off feature LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) SofTex®-trimmed 8-way power-adjustable drivers seat with power lumbar support, sport bolsters and seatback pocket; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with sport bolsters and seatback pocket Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters	Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with blind spot mirrors, turn signal indicators and folding feature Tilt/telescopic leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), advanced voice recognition12 and Bluetooth®14 hands-free phone controls Dual zone automatic climate control with air filter	LED projector-beam headlights with auto on/off feature LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) SofTex®-trimmed 60/40 split, reclining, fold-flat second-row seat with center armrest SofTex-trimmed 8-way power-adjustable drivers seat with memory function, power lumbar support, sport bolsters and seatback pocket; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with sport bolsters and seatback pocket	Hands-free, foot-activated power liftgate with jam protection LED projector-beam headlights with auto on/off feature LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Smart Key System23 on all doors with Push Button Start and remote power liftgate function Entune Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite

The upper "Limited" trim offers bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, premium-tweaked interiors, and driver seat memory function along with all the features of SE trim. The latest and uppermost "Premium" trim offers unique interiors, smart key function, power liftgate, and Entune infotainment system with Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite. Advanced safety features including forward collision mitigation system, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control are standard on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 .

We Recommend

We recommend users to opt for the SE trim as it is the best-valued trim. It offers better interiors, power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, Steering mounted paddle shifters, and daytime running LED lights on the board as upper trims doesnt offer much value for money.

 

"Much like the rest of the car, the Toyota RAV4’s driving manners can be best described as ‘sensible’. 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

Engine & Transmission

2017 Toyota RAV4 boast with a 2.5L, 4-cylinder engine which produces above average power and torque counts in the segment. The 2.5L I4 engine throws power at 176 hp @ 6000 rpm which is decent for an entry-level SUV. The competitiors like Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V LX and Mazda CX-5 sport produce power counts of 168 hp @ 6000 rpm, 184 hp @ 6400 rpm, and 187 hp @ 6000 rpm. Ford Escape's I-VCT engine lacks in power when compared with the competitors; on the other hand, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are equipped with potent engines that produce impressive power and torque counts.

Models	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
MSRP	$24,410	$23,750	$24,045	$24,045
Engine	2.5L I4	2.5L i-VCT	2.4L I-4 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC	2.5L DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	CVT automatic	6-speed automatic
Horsepower	176-hp @ 6,000 rpm	168 hp @ 6000 rpm	184 hp @ 6400 rpm	187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	172 lbs.-ft. @ 4,100 rpm	170 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	180 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm	185 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm

2017 RAV4 SUV produces a decent amount of torque considering the car's entry-level SUV nature. The torque amounts at 173 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm for the Toyota RAV4. Competitors like Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 sport still excels in the torque count as they feature more powerful engine technology. At last, 2017 RAV4 is loaded with a competent engine which produces above-average performance, but some competitors i.e. Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are offering better engine specifications and power counts in the segment.

Acceleration

It's a matter of fact that we cannot expect thrilling acceleration performance from entry-level SUVs; the Toyota RAV4 also fits in the above definition. 2017 Toyota RAV4 offers competitive acceleration counts in the segment, as the CSUV takes 8.3 seconds in boosting from still to 60 mph. The 0-60 acceleration results are best in class for RAV4, as the competitors like Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V LX, and Mazda CX-5 sport show slower acceleration performance and take 9.1, 8.6, and 8.9 seconds respectively in the 0-60 acceleration test.

Models	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
0-60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.1 sec	8.6 sec	8.9 sec
Quarter mile	16.7 sec	16.8 sec	16.7 sec	16.6 sec
Engine	2.5L	2.5L	2.4L	2.5L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.8	7.3	6.3	6.5

Quarter mile results are again impressive for 2017 Toyota RAV4 as the car takes just 16.7 seconds in measuring a quarter-mile distance. The competitiors also show almost similar results as the quarter-mile test results are 16.8, 16.7, and 16.6 seconds respectively for Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5 sport respectively. At last, Toyota RAV4 features slightly better acceleration performance when compared with the competitors in the budget SUV segment.

Ride & Handling

2017 RAV4 is boosted with a competent, though not the most powerful in the segment, engine that offers best-in-class 0-60 acceleration results. Though the acceleration performance isn't thrilling or brisk, It was still better than competitors. The 6-speed automatic transmission is flawless, and steering mounted paddle shifters (available in upper trim levels) adds more convince to the offering. The interiors are spacious and as good as expected from the RAV4,seats are comfortable enough though power and adjustable seats aren't standard in the base trim; interior quality isn't the best in segment as there's a lot a plastic stuff which doesn't feel premium at all. The suspension perform below average in the RAV4 , as the car struggles a bit on the rugged roads. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel along with drive assist features like steering assist (Lane departure warning) and automatic braking adds more starts to the riding experience. The handling is quite impressive in the segment and steering offers good grip and confidence. At last, the riding experience is commendable in the 2017 RAV4 though interiors quality isn't the best in the segment.

Braking

Toyota RAV4 is equipped with advanced braking technology that offers automatic emergency braking feature on the board. 2017 Toyota RAV4 offers small-sized braking pads which are convenient in use. Though the latest RAV4 offers advanced braking features, performance is below-average for the SUV as it slides 125 feet while decelerating from 60 mph to still which isn't impressive at all.

Model	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
Brake Front (in.)		12.8	11.1	11.77
Brake Rear (in.)	10.8	12.0	10.2	11.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3455	3515	3307	3527
60-0 MPH (ft.)	125	112	117	126

Some other competitors in the segment like Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V offer commendable braking performances in the Entry-level Compact SUV segment as they slide just 112 and 117 feet in 60-0 deceleration test. On the other hand; Mazda CX-5 is also equipped with a feeble braking tech as it slides 126 feet in the 60-0 deceleration test. At last, advanced braking features are most welcome in the 2017 RAV4 but the below-average braking performance still bother sometimes.

Toyota has stressed well on the fuel-efficiency while making its latest RAV4 for the budget-CsUV market. The fuel economy for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 measures 23 and 30 mpg on cityroads and highways respectively which is above-average in the segmen. Though Ford Escape S offer a less fuel-efficient engine, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5's powerful engines are impressively fuel-efficient.

Model	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
MPG (city)	23	21	26	24
MPG (highway)	30	29	32	31
MPG (combined)	26	24	28	27

The combined fuel economy of 2017 Toyota RAV4 stands at 26 mpg while the competitors like Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5 sport feature combined fuel economies of 24, 28, and 27 respectively. Honda CR-V emerges as the most fuel-efficient SUV in the segment and beats Toyota RAV4 with a marginal difference.At last, RAV4 has acquired the fuel-efficient trait of its predecessor though it's not the most fuel-efficient CSUV in the segment.

"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

Seating & Comfort

2017 RAV4 offers passenger capacity of five which is standard among competitors. There is a slight improvement in the interior from its predecessors as interiors are quite comfortable in the 2017 Toyota RAV4 CSUV. The seatings are spacious, and passenger volume is generous through the quality of the interior doesn't seem premium; overuse of plastic materials is ruined the impression further. The upper trims are equipped with premium interior styling and leather upholstery which is pleasingly good for the CSUV. Features like power-adjustable passenger seats, dual-zone automatic climate control system, Steering mounted paddle shifters, and driver memory seat is available in the upper trims but isn't standard, unfortunately.

Model	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.8/57.3/42.6	39.9/56.0/43.1	40.1/57.9/41.3	39.7/57.1/41.0
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/55.4/37.2	39.0/55.3/36.8	39.2/55.6/40.4	39.0/54.8/39.6

2017 Toyota RAV4 is boosted with a Multi-Information Display (MID) infotainment system which features advanced voice recognition. The connectivity features include AUX, USB ports and Bluetooth (hands-free phone controls) on the board but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay isn't present in the 2017 Toyota RAV4 SUV. The upper trims feature premium "Entune" infotainment system which features intuitive interface and best-in-class features including smartphone integration, advanced navigation features, and premium multi-speaker sound systems ( JBL Premium Audio system in the uppermost trim).

Cargo Space

2017 Toyota RAV4 amazed us with its huge cargo volume of 38.4 ft.cube which is commendable in the entry-level SUV segment. The boot is convenient in use and is easily accessible. The foldable rear seats are standard though automatic power liftgate is only available in upper trims. 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.

Model	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
Cargo Volume to rear seat up (ft.3)	38.4	34.3	39.2	30.9
Cargo Volume to rear seat folded (ft.3)	73.4	67.8	75.8	59.6

The competitors like Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V LX, and Mazda CX-5 feature boot capacities of 34.3, 39.2, and 30.9 ft.cube respectively. Honda CR-V again impresses us with its best-in-class, huge cargo volume of 39.2 ft.cube which is slightly higher than Toyota RAV4 though other cars lose in the segment when compared with RAV4. At last, Toyota has stressed well upon the boot volume while designing the 2017 RAV4 SUV; it's impressive cargo volume can easily handle luggage of a large family which is commendable for an entry-level SUV.

Towing Capacity

As equipped with a decent 2.5L I4 engine, Toyota RAV4 offers an average towing capacity of 1500 Ibs which is acceptable as most competitors in the segment offer almost same towing capacities. The towing capacities for Ford Escape S, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5 are 1500, 1500, and 2000 lb-ft respectively. At last, Towing capacity is acceptable in the 2017 RAV4 though Mazda CX-5 offer better-towing capacity as it is equipped with a more powerful engine.

Model	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
Towing Capacity (lbs.)	1500	1500	1500	2000

As a major facelift is promised in the 2019 model of the RAV4, the 2017 RAV4 hasn't undergone a drastic makeover when compared with the 2016 model. The exterior design language is similar though there are slight, unnoticeable at first look, exterior changes in the exteriors. The major exterior highlights of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 include 17-inch alloy wheels, H-LED headlights, Power-folding outside mirrors, similar cutting-edge design, and the inherited aggressive front design. Power liftgate and a moonroof is available in the upper trims of 2017 Toyota RAV4. The dimesnsions measure 183.5, 72.6, and 67.1 inches in length, width, and height respectively for the 2017 Toyota RAV4.

Model	Toyota RAV4 LE	Ford Escape S	Honda CR-V LX	Mazda CX-5 sport
Curb weight (lbs.)	3455	3515	3307	3527
Length(in)	183.5	178.1	180.6	179.1
Width(in)	72.6	72.4	73.0	72.5
Height(in)	67.1	66.3	66.1	65.3
Ground clearance (in)	6.1	7.9	N/A	7.6
Wheelbase (in)	104.7	105.9	104.7	106.3
Track width (in) F/R	61.8/61.8	61.5/61.6	63.0/63.7	62.8/62.8

The ground clearance is low in the Toyota RAV4 when compared with the rivals as the Compact SUV offers jusr 6.1 inches of ground clearance in the segment. On the other hand, competitors like Ford Escape S and Mazda CX-5 sport offer impressive groud clearances of 7.9 and 7.6 inches respectively. The wheelbase and track width (F/R) measure 104.7 inches and 61.8/61.8 inches (F/R) respectively for the latest 2017 Toyota RAV4.

2017 Toyota RAV4 is well-equipped in the safety segment. It features advanced safety 5 including Pre-collision warning and Pedestrian Detection, Lane departure warning system with steering alert, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blid spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic alerts system as standard safety features which is impressive as most of the segment's SUVs aren't equipped with these sort of advance safety and driver assistance technology or they chage a high amount for these features. For child safety, LATCH points are also standard in the 2017 Toyota RAV4 .

• Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P)
• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection26 (PCS w/PD)
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
• Automatic High Beams (AHB
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)4 and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)

For driver and front passenger safety, dual stage driver and front passenger airbags are standard in the 2017 Toyota RAV4. The car is equipped with smart parking Assist features along with a 360-degree view backup camera with projected path. The smart safety features including driver assistance technology and Toyota safety sense are welcome this year in the latest 2017 RAV4. The toyota has scored impressive 4.5 /5 overall in the NHTSA ratings test which is better than most of the competitors in the segment. The IIHS results are decent for the SUV as it is rated superior in the front crash protection because to its advanced safety features like automatic braking and steering assist system. Though the car lacks in "Smart overlap front passenger side" and headlights, the other safety standards are rated "Good".

IIHS Ratings
Small overlap front driver side	Good
Small overlap front passenger side	Poor
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good
Front crash prevention	Superior
Headlights	Acceptable
Child seats anchors (LATCH)	Good

NHTSA Ratings
Overall rating	5 star
Overall frontal barrier crash rating	4 star
Frontal barrier crash rating driver	4 star
Overall side crash rating	5 star
Side barrier rating	5 star
Side pole rating driver front seat	5 star
Combined side rating rear seat	5 star
Rollover rating	4 star
Side barrier rating driver	5 star

Toyota RAV4 vs Ford Escape

2017 Toyota RAV4's engine offers better power and torque counts along with more powerful acceleration experience than the Ford Escape S. RAV4 excels in segments including handling, fuel economy, pasenger volume, driver assistance and safety, and cargo volume when compared with Escape S. On the other hand Ford Escape S outshines RAV4 in segments like Ground clearance, interiors quality, braking and infotainment system.

Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V LX features slightly better power and torque counts though the acceleration experience is slightly better in the Toyota RAV4. Honda CR-V is the closest competitor of the popular RAV4 in the segment. CR-V excels in braking, fuel-efficiency, ground clearance, interiors and cargo capacity with slight margins though RAV4 offers slightly better passenger volume, acceleration, and safety features.

Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5 sport is loaded with the most powerful engine among competitors which offers best-in-class power and torque counts but the acceleration performance is slightly better in RAV4 because of its low curb weight. The Mazda CX-5 excels in fuel economy, interiors quality, and ground clearance when compared with RAV4. On the other hand, Toyota RAV4 outshines Mazda CX-5 in segments like braking, handling, passenger volume, cargo capacity, and driver assistance and safety.

Already popular, 2017 Toyota RAV4 is a decent package in the entry-level SUV segment as the front-engine equipped with a competent 2.5L I4 engine which offers best-in-class acceleration performance. The major highlights include four wheel drive option, strong riding and handling experience, spacious seats, advanced driver assistance and safety features even in the base trim, and commendable cargo capacity. But the Toyota lacks in some segments including interiors quality, suspension, and braking.