The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is available in over 6 trim levels, namely LE, XLE, SE, Limited, Platinum, and Adventure that slots between the XLE and SE trim. Prices for the same start at about an MSRP of $24,510 for the base LE trim, whereas the top Platinum trim will set you back by $34,850. All of the said trims are powered by a standard 2.5L Inline-4 engine. Feature-wise though, the top-most trims are privy to the latest technological advancements. The lower trims, although also get plenty of features, including a heated steering wheel, and heated and power-adjustable front seats.

Trim We Recommend

Despite the introduction of a new Adventure trim, the SE trim for an MSRP of $28,890, sounds too good to be true. WIth a sports-tuned suspension and sporty accents all around, the 2018 RAV4 SE is the trim to buy. Further packages can also be equipped with the 2018 RAV4.

Most drivers will find that the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers power that’s adequate for moving people and cargo around town - Edmunds

 2018 Toyota RAV4 Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has a standard 2.5L Inline-4 engine running point on its power duties. This standard Inline-4 engine delivers a respectable 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, which puts it right in the middle of the compact SUV segment. This might not be as good as the power front put up by the Honda CR-V but nevertheless is quite effective in letting you go about your daily needs.

There is also a 2018 RAV4 hybrid variant, which also houses the same 2.5L inline-4 unit, but with three electric motors guiding it through to put up an even more impressive 194 hp. Available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, the 2018 RAV4 pairs a 6-speed automatic transmission unit with the gasoline variant, whereas the hybrid variant gets a loathsome CVT to put the power down.

The engine remains the same as with the previous iterations, although Toyota has reportedly said that the engine has been tweaked a bit more for a better throttle response. Furthermore, the RAV4 can also tow up to 1500 lbs. The 2018 Honda CR-V certainly turns out to be a head-turner, even with the CVT at the helm.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Acceleration

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 can do the 0-60 MPH sprint in just about 8.3 seconds. This makes it the fastest crossover in the segment, despite losing out on the quarter-mile race, as that it does in 17 seconds. All of the said power kicks in quite early in the rev band for the RAV4, and that is the reason why it posts these competitive times.

Switch to the Sport mode, and you get a much better throttle response of the line. The Hybrid variant certainly does better in these terms than the gasoline variant with 194 horses. The 6-speed of the gasoline RAV4, also is a big help, as it does assist in smooth and quick shifts. The Honda CR-V, even with the best power figures in the segment, turns out to be one of the slowest crossovers in the segment, slowly because of the CVT in play.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Braking and Handling

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 comes with different drive modes, which altogether have different throttle and steering responses too. This, in turn, aids in the overall driving dynamics of the SUV, which makes the driving manners of the RAV4 as impressive as it can get. Come the year 2018, Toyota also introduces a new Adventure model, with the sole purpose of going off-road, with a number of off-road features helping it through.

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has 10.8-inch front brake rotor discs and 11.2-inch rear rotor discs. Combined, they can bring the 2018 RAV4 to a complete dead stop from 60 MPH in just about 122 ft. Despite having the smallest rotors in class, Toyota certainly delivers in this case, as the brakes are well-calibrated.

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has an EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 MPG in the city and 30 miles to the gallon out on the highway. This is with the standard Inline-4 engine coupled to a front-wheel-drive system. Also for the SE and Limited trims, the RAV4 puts out 23 MPG in the city and 29 miles to the gallon out on the highway. GO for the AWD setup, and the RAV4 delivers 22 and 28 MPG in the city and highway respectively.

Opt for the 2018 Toyota RAV4 hybrid variant, and you get 34 MPG in the city and 30 miles to the gallon out on the highway. The selected driving modes turn out to be a boon in this matter, as when in Eco mode, the RAV4 is certainly more frugal than when in Sports mode. The Honda CR-V, on the other hand, is the undisputed champion in terms of fuel economy for sure.

Unfortunately, its cabin materials consist of disappointing black plastic, and the SofTex vinyl upholstery found on most trims won’t fool anyone into thinking it’s leather (which isn’t available at all) - Autotrader

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 showcases an interior that is as practical as it can get. With room for up to 5 people, all average-sized adults can be seated inside comfortably, with enough head and shoulder room. Its slight fastback design also does not rob away from the headroom. The adequate bolstered seats offer enough support, while the SUV is being thrashed around the corners to its maximum capabilities.

The 2018 RAV4 will also get new features this time around, such as heated and ventilated functions are now offered as standard with the lower trims. While cloth upholstery is standard in the base trims, Toyota offers premium leather upholstered seats in the top-most trims. Again, coming to the competition, the Honda CR-V takes the cake here, with the best cabin space of all.

Some of the interior features included in the 2018 RAV4 are-

• Rear privacy glass
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• All-weather floor mats
• Heated mirrors
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats

2018 Toyota RAV4 Infotainment

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 also comes with a driver-centric dash layout. It houses a major 6.1-inch Entune touchscreen infotainment system in the lower trims of the RAV4, while the higher trims get a 7.0-inch upgraded system. The system is adequately responsive and easy to use. It is also slightly angled towards the driver for better usage. Apple CarPlay is still missing from the RAV4. The 2018 RAV4 also houses a 4.2-inch multi-information display for optimum use.

Some of the infotainment features on offer are-

• Bluetooth
• Voice recognition
• A 360-degree view camera system
• Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation
• 11-speaker JBL sound system
• 7-inch high-res touchscreen

2018 Toyota RAV4 Cargo Volume

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 offers a cargo space of 38.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Moreover, when the rear seats are folded down in a 60/40 manner, the RAV4 gets a maximum cargo space of 73.4 cu. ft. It also has a power liftgate function with adjustable height, which makes loading and unloading that much more easier.

When it comes to practicality, there is none that can best the Honda CR-V, as it offers a maximum cargo space of 39.2 cu. ft, which is mighty impressive.

The 2018 Toyota RAV4’s confused styling isn’t its biggest selling point.” – carconnection

The Toyota RAV4 has always had a subtle exterior design, and it carries forward that silhouette into 2018. Aged in its layout, the 2018 RAV4 follows the same thin grille and streamlined LED headlights to make up the relatively bold front stance. Further Toyota has also added a "Ruby Flare Pearl" paint for a premium of $395 across all the trim levels.

The side profile all the more seems pretty average, with adequate chrome accents and a slight fastback rear end. The base LE trim of the 2018 RAV4 gets 17-inch wheels, whereas the top-most trims of the RAV4 get 19-inch alloys. The dimensions have also remained unchanged, with the base models having the smallest ground clearance, which robs them of going off-road. Although, it comes the new Adventure variant for 2018, which comes with better ground clearance, and 18-inch alloys amongst others, to make your life that much easier.

Some of the exterior features of the 2018 Toyota RAV4 are-

• 18-inch black alloys
• LED DRLs
• Chrome exterior trim
• Height-adjustable power liftgate
• Roof rails
• One-touch rear liftgate

Toyota has a reputation for offering cars with the best in class safety tech. The 2018 RAV4 is not far away from that either. With the best-in-class active and passive safety tech in the form of the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, the RAV4 is quite literally one of the safest SUVs out there. So much so that, the NHTSA awarded it an overall 5 on 5-star rating in terms of crashworthiness, whereas the IIHS honored it with the "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

Some of the advanced safety features included with the 2018 RAV4 are-

• Electronic Stability Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane-Keeping System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Pedestrian detection
• Automatic emergency braking

2018 Toyota RAV4 Vs 2018 Honda CR-V

Both household names, the 2018 Honda CR-V is the only rival out there that can give the RAV4 a run for its money. The Honda CR-V aces in all these tests, including fuel efficiency, performance front, and practicality, with the RAV4 running a close second.

Moreover, with the CR-V having been updated for this year fully in terms of exterior, the RAV4 loses out on the exterior design front. Nevertheless, the CR-V loses out on the acceleration front surprisingly thus giving the RAV4's ardent fan following a glimmer of hope in this rivalry.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Vs 2018 Ford Escape

The 2018 Ford Escape looks the part, but in everything else, the RAV4 is the clear winner. Be it in terms of performance proficiency, fuel economy, or the fact that the RAV4 houses a practical interior setup, in every which way possible, the RAV4 is the clear winner.

Although, when it comes to the infotainment front, the Escape has the best-in-class interface. Coming onto the safety front too, the RAV4 is the clear winner.

A perfect family SUV is what the 2018 Toyota RAV4 personifies. With its frugal nature, best-in-class acceleration times, and consumer-friendly price tag, the 2018 RAV4 certainly takes the crossover segment by storm. All of this gives it an edge over its long-lost rival the Honda CR-V.