carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $28,050–$32,960 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Base at 8.1/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.0/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 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. At 9.0/10, reliability is one of this suv's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The 9.0/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.7/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.2/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $28,050–$32,960, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota RAV4 Base sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.0/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Base is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2021 Toyota RAV4 Base 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 $28,050 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 22%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Base scores 7.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2021'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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $28,050 | |
| 2020 | 8.1/10 | $27,126 | Read review → |
| 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 → |
We rate the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Base's reliability 9.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
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 2021 Toyota RAV4 Base starts at $28,050 and ranges up to $32,960 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.