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2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium: Reviews, Specs & Price – The RAV4 is a sensible, fuel-efficient SUV that speaks to your sense of common sense, which is one of the reasons why it has been a consistent best-seller for Toyota over the years. The RAV4 maintains the heritage of having a practical cabin that can accommodate a lot of stuff, as well as having a competitive starting price and good manners on the road. An eight-speed automatic transmission connects a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2.5 liters to either the front wheels or all four wheels. The acceleration isn’t the smoothest, but the fuel efficiency is excellent. There is also the option of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain, but we will cover those models individually in our reviews. Even the most competent TRD Off-Road edition of the RAV4 is not likely to be able to make it to the same isolated locations as the more robust off-roaders such as the 4Runner and the Tacoma.
However, the RAV4’s rough aesthetics enable it to look at home among those two other vehicles. The RAV4 shines most when it’s tasked with more suburban responsibilities, like making the commute to work each day or going on excursions to the hardware store. The RAV4 from Toyota is equipped with a multitude of driver-assistance technologies and attractive entertainment features as standard equipment. This serves to boost RAV4’s value in comparison to its competitors.
Reviews
This year, Toyota upgraded the infotainment system found in the RAV4 to a more recent model that features display screens that are significantly larger. This year, the standard display size on the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Adventure trim levels has been increased to 8.0 inches from 7.0 inches in the previous model year. The display size on the Limited and TRD Off-Road versions has been increased to 10.5 inches.
The most recent iteration of Toyota’s user interface software is both more aesthetically pleasing and easier to use than the previous system. In addition, it supports over-the-air software upgrades and offers wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster now comes with a display that is 7.0 inches in size as standard, while a display that is 12.3 inches in size is available on the 2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium and TRD Off-Road variants but comes standard on the Limited.
Although it’s difficult for us to say no to the awesome new TRD Off-Road, we think it’s best to exercise self-control and go with the more affordable XLE Premium. It comes with a lot of standard equipment that the LE and XLE don’t provide, such as wheels that are 19 inches in diameter, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic temperature control, faux-leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. These features are only available on the Limited. Because Toyota includes its suite of driver assistance features as standard equipment across the board, there isn’t much of a reason to go with a more expensive trim; the only exception to this is if you really want ventilated seats.
Interior
Ergonomics and storage space are given a high priority inside of the RAV4. The spacious center console is complemented well by a shelf that runs the length of the dashboard. The model that we tried out has a combination of smooth-feeling surfaces and high-quality plastics. The LE trim level is the entry-level model and has cloth seats, a steering wheel made of a plastic-like material, and manual temperature control for a single zone.
There are a few extras included with the next level up, the XLE, that you can have from Toyota, but the XLE Premium has a lot more to offer, such as upholstery made of imitation leather, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, as well as a stitched and cushioned dashboard and center-console armrest. The back seats of the RAV4 are quite convenient to store, and they fold down to an almost completely flat position, which makes more room in the cabin for goods. Behind the rear seat, we are able to store 10 of our carry-on suitcases, and when it is folded down, we can store 22.
Touchscreens measuring 8.0 inches are standard on lower trim levels, while displays measuring 10.5 inches come standard on the Limited and TRD Off-Road models. The infotainment system has a wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, as well as a mobile hotspot that is compatible with 4G LTE networks. An optional equipment package includes a JBL premium audio system, navigation, and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone. A separate display measuring 7.0 inches is included in the gauge cluster of most models; however, an optional 12.3-inch completely digital gauge display is available on the XLE Premium and TRD Off-Road, and it is included as standard equipment on the Limited.
Specs
A four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and mated to an automated gearbox with eight-gear ratios is used in the 2024 RAV4. Although front-wheel drive is still the default, Toyota now gives customers the option of upgrading to an all-wheel-drive system, and the upgrade depends on the trim level. The Adventure model that we tested came standard with an all-wheel-drive system that had the capability of disengaging the rear axle from the vehicle when it was necessary to do so in order to achieve better fuel efficiency. When we put the RAV4 through its paces at our testing facility, we found that it was noticeably more nimble than its predecessor. The 2019 model reached 60 miles per hour in 8.0 seconds, while the 2018 model took 8.3 seconds.
The dependable four-cylinder engine may be loud at times, particularly when attempting to overtake another car on the highway, and the gearbox in the test vehicle seemed to stutter whenever a downshift was requested. In our hands, the RAV4 Hybrid notched a time of 7.4 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. This time was obtained in a separate evaluation. The RAV4 has a sturdy and steady feel while cruising on the highway and can hold its own when thrown into a winding piece of road, but it does not inspire the same level of confidence as our pick for best in class, the Mazda CX-5.
EPA assessments show that the RAV4’s fuel efficiency is competitive with other vehicles in its class. On the interstate, a front-wheel-drive RAV4 can get an estimated 35 miles per gallon of fuel economy. On the highway fuel-economy route that we took, the all-wheel-drive Adventure achieved 32 mpg for us, which is 1 mpg less than the anticipated value that the EPA has given for that trim level.
Price
Although Toyota has not provided an official release date for the 2024 RAV4, we anticipate that production will commence this fall and that the RAV4 will start making its way to dealers before the end of the year. It is possible that the price of the updated 2024 Toyota RAV4 will be more than the price of the present SUV, which runs from $28,910 to $46,795 for an optioned-out RAV4 Prime.