Latest News
How to Find the Best Used Toyota RAV4How to Find the Best Used Toyota RAV4
Are you looking for a used RAV4 but not sure which is best for you? Here are some top picks to meet your needs and budget.
America’s Top Selling Compact SUV
The Toyota RAV4 has been a stalwart of the compact SUV segment and last year, more than 475,000 were sold. That puts it behind only the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado for overall 2024 sales. Though popular, a new RAV4 now starts right around $30,000. That is well under the roughly $50,000 average new car price in 2025, but you can easily crack that figure at the top end for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.
For those interested in Toyota’s midsize SUV, but with a smaller budget in mind, we give you this rundown of the best used RAV4s currently on the market. For between $20,000 and $25,000, you can get into a lightly used RAV4 ranging from an entry-level LE to a trail-ready TRD Off-Road or fuel-sipping hybrid. In all cases, we’ll be discussing fifth-gen RAV4s, though you can save even more by going back to the fourth-gen RAV4 that we look at here.
2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE
For a shade under $25,000, you can get into a one-year-old RAV4 XLE, like this one, with just 28,000 miles on the clock. Part of the fifth-generation series that debuted in 2019, this mid-tier RAV4 is powered by a 2.5L inline-4 rated for 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic routes power to the front wheels here, but there are examples with all-wheel drive available.
A step above the base RAV4 LE, in XLE spec, you’ll find alloy wheels, LED headlights, roof rails, and keyless entry. Creature comforts include a power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control. An 8” central touchscreen infotainment interface manages the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot.
These RAV4s, which earn a respectable 30 mpg combined, also feature the Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping system.
2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium
Going back a couple years, there are higher-grade used RAV4s available in our budget, like this 2022 XLE Premium. Only showing 24,000 miles, it’s currently on sale for about $24,000 and comes with the same powertrain as the 2024 model. Other shared aspects include the 70 cubic feet of cargo space available with the second row folded down and the 38” of legroom for back seat occupants.
Improvements over the XLE trim line include 19” wheels, LED fog lights, and a power-operated liftgate. One thing to keep in mind as you move into older RAV4s is that the screen size drops to 7” and the smartphone integration requires plugging in to access. SofTex faux leather dresses up the cabin on the XLE Premium, as does the leather-wrapped steering wheel and moonroof.
Notable driver assistance features include automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition. Find a 2022 RAV4 XLE Premium with the optional Weather Package to enjoy heat for the front seats and steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, and rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icing capability.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Adventure
Still part of the fifth generation, the RAV4 Adventure model dials up the outdoorsy capability with an AWD system featuring torque vectoring, a rear driveline disconnect system, and Multi-Terrain Select drive modes like Mud & Sand and Rock & Dirt. You can find examples, like this 2021 model, with about 56,000 miles for just $22,469.
Along with the upgraded AWD system, these Adventure models look the part with a special front grille treatment, black fender flares and badging, and 19” wheels with matte black accents. Unlike base RAV4s from this year that are rated for just 1,500 pounds of towing, the Adventure variant can pull up to 3,500 pounds and gets a slight suspension lift that enables 8.6” of ground clearance.
Inside, it’s a similar level of content to our prior XLE Premium example, minus the sunroof and power-operated liftgate, but adding an 8” central touchscreen. As well, the 2021 RAV4 Adventure sports black SofTex upholstery with orange accents and stitching, a theme that extends to the dashboard and door panels.
2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
If it’s more serious rough roading you’re after with the RAV4, get a load of this 2021 TRD Off-Road example. Showing 57,000 miles, it’s a smidge more than our $25,000 budget, but it’s very nicely equipped and has the equipment to back up the name. Like the Adventure trim line, the TRD Off-Road comes with Toyota’s more advanced AWD system.
It also boasts an exclusive TRD-tuned suspension, a TRD-stamped stainless steel front skid plate, and came from the factory with Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. The matte black 18” TRD wheels and red-painted coil springs add no capability, but sure do look good. Like the rest of its gas-powered stablemates mentioned here, the TRD Off-Road is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-4 making 203 horsepower.
Inside, the theme is red, including stitching for the black SofTex seats and accents across the dash and doors. There are even special TRD embroidered logos and branded all-season mats.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid
Toyota has been building RAV4 hybrids since 2016, and these days, hybrids enjoy strong customer satisfaction. So, if you’re looking to improve fuel efficiency, we strongly recommend looking at a used RAV4 hybrid, like this 2020 example in Limited spec. It is a 5-year-old vehicle, but has only 40,000 miles and a price tag below $24,000.
The 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder powertrain makes 219 hp and pairs with a CVT to spin all four wheels. However, the best part is the fuel economy figures of 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 40 mpg combined. And though it’s an older model, this 2020 RAV4 is still part of the fifth-gen series and as a Limited trim line, comes fairly loaded. Exterior highlights include 18” wheels, LED headlights, chrome trim, and heated side mirrors.
Inside, you’ll find heated front seats wrapped in SofTex with dark brown accents throughout. There’s a moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and automatic climate control. An 8” touchscreen with smartphone mirroring is on hand, as is a digital rearview mirror and an ambient lighting system. Along with forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping system, and adaptive cruise control, these RAV4 hybrids also feature parking sensors at both ends.
2021 Toyota RAV4 SE Prime
Before Toyota changed the name of its RAV4 PHEVs to the literal RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, there was the RAV4 Prime. Like this 2021 example, currently on sale for about $27,000. That puts it outside our price cap, but with just 24,000 miles, it’s worth stretching for. Mainly because, as a PHEV, it can be driven on purely electricity for up to 42 miles. That comes in handy for around-town errands, dropping kids off at sports, and the like.
Fuel economy is not quite as impressive as the standard hybrid at 38 mpg combined, but with 302 hp, the Prime is a bit spritelier. It’s also nicely outfitted with features like chrome exterior trim, 18” rims with a black and machined face finish, and a black diamond-pattern grille. Simple cloth adorns the cabin, but red contrast stitching, heated front seats, and a black headliner add a touch of class.
