DecodedCars2021 Toyota RAV4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- AWD Le / Xle 4dr SUV, AWD Trail / Limited 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV, Hybrid 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 176–203 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic, CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 40 combined · 41 city / 38 hwy
- Length
- 180.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,369–3,755 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 67% better than the average 2021 small SUV (23.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,490 lb (AWD Le / Xle 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 40 MPG combined (41 city / 38 highway), 67% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,700 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 411 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 RAV4 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 RAV4 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Woodstock, Ontario · Georgetown, Kentucky
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 RAV4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD Le / Xle 4dr SUV | 180.7 in | 72.8 in | 66.9 in | 105.9 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 3,490 lb | 57/43 |
| AWD Trail / Limited 4dr SUV | 180.7 in | 72.8 in | 66.9 in | 105.9 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 3,613 lb | 57/43 |
| FWD 4dr SUV | 180.7 in | 72.8 in | 66.9 in | 105.9 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 3,369 lb | 57/43 |
| Hybrid 4dr SUV | 180.7 in | 72.8 in | 66.9 in | 105.9 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 3,755 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 41 / 38 / 40 | +67% | $1,700 | 223 |
| RAV4 | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +14% | $2,250 | 296 |
| RAV4 | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 35 / 30 | +14% | $2,250 | 290 |
| RAV4 AWD LE | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 34 / 30 | +26% | $2,250 | 296 |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 33 / 29 | +21% | $2,300 | 301 |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +17% | $2,400 | 316 |
| RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | +17% | $2,400 | 323 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.9% |
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 (this car) | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Honda CR-V | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Subaru Forester | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Dec 20, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Not every 2021 Toyota RAV4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Toyota RAV4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 142 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 48 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 41 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 18,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other RAV4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RAV4 | 43 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 42 |
| 2025 RAV4 | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 106 |
| 2024 RAV4 | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 177 |
| 2023 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 171 |
| 2022 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 154 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 651 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 906 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 348 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 321 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 257 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 26 | 179.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 304 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 26 | 179.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 195 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →