As the starting point of crossover SUVs, the Rav4 is still ravishing and easy to drive. All the grumbling and trembling of the classic muscle cars are super cool, but a comfortable drive in a cozy cabin is something everyone loves. The overflowing SUV market has countless brands and models to offer, from Ford to Chevrolet, to Mazda, to Honda. But it all started with Toyota and its Rav4.

The Japanese manufacturer has proved itself reliable throughout many years with the production decent cars, and the Rav4 is another excellent ride. To cover off-roaders and ordinary shoppers isn’t something any car can do but the Rav4 does the job. Offering six distinct trims, the 2021 Rav4 has you covered in any condition. It looks good and has a spacious cabin with two rows of seats enough to hold five passengers.

Toyota released the Rav4 with a plug-in hybrid brother, the Rav4 Prime, which delivers more power of around 302 HP in exchange for a higher price. Despite that, they both share pretty much the same features of safety and technology.

Now, let’s have a deeper look into the Rav4 and see why it’s preferable against its close rivals.

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A 2.5-L Inline-4 Engine: Toyota’s Choice For All The Rav4’s Variants

2021 Toyota Rav4 XSE shown in Blizzard Pearl
Via: Toyota

Toyota saved the V6 for the 4Runner and decided to equip the Rav4 with a 2.5-lit 4-cylinder engine, which supplies for the front axles. An all-wheel-drive system is also available if you want to spice things up, but it only comes standard for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims; they belong to the wilderness.

8-speed automatic transmission is set for all the variants. With the AWD Rav4 producing roughly 203 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque, 8.1 seconds is enough to reach 0-60 MPH, which is a sufficient amount, but the hybrid Prime can get you there in 6.0 seconds.

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The Exterior Looks Bouncing, And First-Class Material Embellishes The Cabin

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Limited AWD Limited with Ruby Flare Pearl
Via: Toyota

Want to stand out from other dull-looking cars on the road? Pick the Ruby Flare Pearl color and leave the rest to the bold, angular body. The 2021 Rav4 exterior doesn’t look loose but defined, and the low roofline is one reason for this. Though all models look sporty and roughly have the same characteristics, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims have a more dashing and trendy appearance, with slightly taller roof rails, fender flares, and all-terrain tires.

The Rav4 has a roomy cargo offering 37.6 cubic feet, but you can have an extra 32.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, and there’s plenty of head/legroom for rear passengers. Inside is adorned with high-end materials. A 4.2-inch driver display goes right behind the 14 ½” button-loaded steering wheel, which comes leather-wrapped in higher models. The Center console enjoys a likable design, with the armrest and two cup-holders.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is available from the XLE model, but if you care about getting more fresh air from the sunroof and want your dashboard to boast soft-touch materials, you need to upgrade your pick to XLE Premium. Further, you can find a digital rearview mirror, ambient lighting, and heated front seats on Limited trim. You can add a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and wireless charging pad as optional features.

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Rest Assured Your Wildlander Has All The Tech You'd Need

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 XSE interior
Via: Toyota

It might seem overwhelming to possess the pile of modern features introduced in recent years, but the latest Rav4 has covered all. A sleek 7.0-inch touchscreen comes in the middle of the dashboard as the entertainment system. But the 8.0-inch one available on XLM and higher trims feel more beguiling.

Regardless of which one you pick, you can put Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE mobile hotspot to use. The high-end Limited trim gets it to another level offering a Navigation system and the premium 11-speaker JBL audio system. However, a 6-speaker sound system set up for the basic variants still sounds groovy, and the Scout GPS Link would help you navigate untraveled roads.

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Your Safety Comes First, And The Rav4 Spares No Effort

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Limited AWD Limited shown in Light Gray
Via: Toyota

We call it the Rav4, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is in favor of Top Safety Pick+. And why wouldn’t they? There are a bunch of Driver-Assistance features, and you don’t need to pay extra grands to have them all; Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 Suite upholds the basic trims too.

Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping system are within each model. There are automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and automatic high beams as well. You can also benefit from the traffic sign reader when needed. Well, doesn’t the Rav4 deserve the NHTSA five-star rating? Yes, it does.

Fair enough! You get the important stuff as standard, and then you can deck your car out in fancy items if you want. With a price range starting from around $27,000, the 2021 Toyota Rav4 is fairly affordable and sits among the Ford Escape, the Honda CR-V, the Chevrolet Equinox, and the Subaru Outback.

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