2024 Toyota RAV4

Which 2024 Toyota RAV4 Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2024 Toyota RAV4 2.5 Front-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $28,675
• MPG Combined: 30
• Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 203 
• Torque: 184 lb⁠-⁠ft
• Weight: 3,370 lbs
• Length: 180.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs

The non-hybrid RAV4 is a best-seller for good reason: It's competent across the board, providing generous interior space and impressive fuel economy at a reasonable starting price. We'd stick with the front-drive version to save money up front and also save on gas — take some of those dollars and buy a nice set of snow tires if you're worried about the winter.

2. 2024 Toyota RAV4 2.5 All-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $30,075
• MPG Combined: 30
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 203 
• Torque: 184 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 8.0 sec
• Weight: 3,490 lbs
• Length: 180.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs

The RAV4 AWD promises all-season peace of mind with minimal extra cost and hardly any fuel economy penalty, but we should mention a few details. First, the standard AWD system only comes online if traction to the front wheels is compromised, so your RAV4 AWD is essentially a front-drive RAV4 almost all the time. Second, the 30 mpg combined rating cited here is the best-case scenario that starts with the base RAV4 LE AWD; keep stepping up to fancier models and you'll see that number drop to 29 mpg or potentially lower. Finally, to unlock the full 3,500-pound towing capacity, you'll need the torque-vectoring version of the AWD system, which only comes on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. Lesser RAV4 AWD builds can only tow 1,500 pounds.

3. 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD

• Base Price: $31,725
• MPG Combined: 39
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: CVT
• Horsepower: 219 
• Torque: N/A
• 0-60: 7.4 sec
• Weight: 3,690 lbs
• Length: 180.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 1,750 lbs

The RAV4 Hybrid is the RAV4 you want, unless towing is of the utmost importance (in which case, get the Adventure or TRD Off Road, as both come with torque-vectoring AWD that unlocks the RAV4's top towing capacity of 3,500 pounds). The fuel economy is outstanding, all-wheel drive comes standard, and the RAV4 Hybrid is quicker than the non-hybrid, too.

4. 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime AWD

• Base Price: $43,690
• MPG Combined: 38
• EV Range: 42 mi
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 302 
• Torque: N/A
• 0-60: 5.6 sec
• Weight: 4,235 lbs
• Length: 180.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 2,500 lbs

The RAV4 Prime is a fantastic vehicle for the right kind of shopper. Specifically, you have to be willing to pay a lot more than you would for a regular RAV4 in order to get the Prime's impressive 42 miles of electric range and surprisingly sporty acceleration. On the other hand, you could look at the RAV4 Prime as a much more affordable version of the Lexus NX 450h+, which shares the Prime's powertrain.