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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.5L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 27 / 35 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,250 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 296 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $27,126–$34,430 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 8.1/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.9/10, while Performance at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.9/10. The RAV4 nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.9/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $27,126–$34,430, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota RAV4 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.1/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 ranks #84 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.7 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,126 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 25%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Toyota RAV4 scores 7.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 8.1 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.4/10 | $31,749 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.4/10 | $31,749 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $30,825 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.2/10 | $29,900 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.1/10 | $28,975 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $28,050 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $27,126 | |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $26,201 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.9/10 | $25,276 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $24,351 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 8.0/10 | $23,427 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.8/10 | $22,502 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 04/11/2020 · 20V682000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal 25/11/2020 · 20V734000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash,… |
| Engine and engine cooling 06/02/2020 · 20V064000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may… |
| Steering / Electric power assist system 24/06/2020 · 20V373000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power… |
| Suspension / Front / Control arm / Lower arm 20/05/2020 · 20V286000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly. |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2020 Toyota RAV4's reliability 8.9/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
6 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 8.1/10 overall, ranking #84 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 97% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 starts at $27,126 and ranges up to $34,430 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.