2021 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that helped define the segment when it arrived in the US for 1996, pairing car-like unibody construction and handling with available all-wheel drive and a practical hatchback body. Over three decades it has grown from a small two- and four-door runabout into a five-seat family crossover, and in recent years it has ranked among the best-selling SUVs in the United States.

Shoppers are drawn to the RAV4 for its reputation for reliability, strong resale value, and broad lineup that spans budget-friendly base trims, off-road-flavored variants, and efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. It competes with the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester, and appeals to commuters, small families, and buyers who want a practical daily driver with light-adventure capability.

The 2021 model: Built on the TNGA-K platform, the fifth generation adopted more rugged, truck-inspired styling and a stiffer structure. Gas models used a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic, the hybrid produced 219 hp, and the 302-hp RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid arrived for 2021. Off-road-oriented trims such as Adventure and TRD Off-Road broadened the lineup, and this generation became one of the best-selling SUVs in the US.