2021 Toyota RAV4 Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
White Toyota RAV4

Source: Flickr

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a two-row SUV, offering another spectacular option in the successful Toyota RAV4 lineup. However, before considering an investment in this year’s iconic design, it’s vital to consider the 2021 Toyota Rav4 pros and cons.

If you’re interested in learning more about the best and worst of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, you’re in the right place. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 might glimmer in some areas but falls short in others. Let’s go over the information together to get a better idea of what you can expect.

What We Love: 2021 Toyota Rav4 Pros

There are some incredible benefits to the 2021 Toyota Rav4 pros and cons. Let’s dive into some of the best.

Excellent Pricing 

One of the best parts about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is that it offers competitive pricing. A car could have all the features in the world, but if it doesn’t have competitive pricing, it’s far less likely to earn a following of customers. The RAV4 comes in at a starting point of just under $26,000, which is cheaper if you end up going with a used version of the 2021 RAV4.

Of course, the better the trim you purchase, the more your RAV4 will cost. We recommend sticking with the lower models to get an excellent balance of practicality, value, and features, all wrapped up in one incredible package. Many careful buyers consider the 2021 Toyota RAV4 to be one of the best for what you get for your money. 


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Effective Mileage

Not only does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 look good and come at a competitive price point, but it also gets excellent mileage. If you use the hybrid version of the 2021 RAV4, you can get up to 41 mpg on the highway, and it can even go 42 miles directly on electric power if you run into an issue. Your bank account will remain full for much longer with the RAV4.

Of course, there is still something to be said for the non-hybrid version of the machine. A typical 2021 RAV4 will get about 27 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway for a combined mpg of 35. The Toyota RAV4 is excellent at getting drivers and passengers from one place to another on as few tanks as possible. It’s a great benefit to have under your belt.

Appealing Exterior Design

Finally, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 comes with an appealing appearance. You don’t have to purchase a car based on looks, but it certainly helps. This year the Toyota RAV4 offers an appearance that is sleek and athletic, proving an excellent appearance in the city and on the country road.

Other additions add to the exterior design. The Toyota RAV4 comes with daytime running lights, multiple wheel size options, LEDs in the fog lights, and two-tone trims for extra visual appeal. The exterior design is an excellent one that is sure to turn heads when you’re moving down the road.

Again, exterior design isn’t the most important thing in the world. Still - why buy a machine if it doesn’t look good?


HOW LONG DO TOYOTA RAV4s LAST?

It’s a compact crossover SUV, excellent for those who want something that will look good in the city or on a dirt road. If you’re interested in this car, you might wonder - how long do Toyota RAV4s last on the road?


What We Dislike: 2021 Toyota Rav4 Cons

Unfortunately, there are also some poor aspects to the 2021 Toyota Rav4 pros and cons. Let’s go over what you can expect to see.

Old, Outdated Tech

Unfortunately, much of the technology in the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is far older than competitors and a little outdated. It’s reliable, but some of the features aren’t up to the standard set forth by many modern models. They seem to have stuck with what they know in this one, which can be a good and bad thing.

Driver assistance features, connectivity and safety features might be a little different in the 2021 model than in other competitors. If you’re interested in a car with the latest tech, we recommend doing some research on competitors first to ensure you get what you want.

Of course, the newer models of the RAV4 do make some updates to the tech. That didn’t happen with the 2021 version of the car. 

Stiff, Noisy Ride

Another issue we had with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the unfortunate combination of a stiff ride and a noisy cabin when hitting high speeds on the road. This can make for an unpleasant driving experience - which can make the 2021 Toyota RAV4 wildly unappealing to many people.

Most of the engine noise, according to drivers, appears when there are steep inclines or sudden bouts of acceleration on the road. Whenever increasing in elevation or trying to pass somewhere, the engine will become much louder.

A firm suspension exists in the 2021 Toyota RAV4 to improve performance and comfort. However, it leads to a stiff driving experience that can add some intense vibrations to the overall experience for passengers and drivers.


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Limited Base Model

Finally, there are some serious limitations attached to the base model. The LE is by far the most affordable selection for the 2021 Toyota RAV4, but it has the most restrictions. Several components come with this model that not every driver will enjoy. 

If you get the base model of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, you’re likely to get stuck with a manually controlled climate system, analog gauges, and a manually adjustable driver’s seat. You’ll have to put a little more work in with manual features to enjoy a cheaper price point for your 2021 Toyota RAV4. 

Final Thoughts

There are several 2021 Toyota Rav4 pros and cons to consider before investing. The car offers excellent pricing, practical mileage, and an appealing exterior design. However, it also comes with outdated technology, a stiff and noisy ride, and a limited base model with several manual features drivers won’t enjoy.

We hope this information comes in handy! The more you know about the 2021 Toyota RAV4, the easier to determine if it’s right for you. Some might adore the pros enough to ignore the cons, but others might loathe the disadvantages so much it turns them away. Ultimately, the choice belongs to you.



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