carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $34,385–$46,346 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2023 Toyota RAV4 S at 8.2/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.3/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 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 9.3/10, reliability is one of this suv's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The 8.9/10 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 6.8/10 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 7.8/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $34,385–$46,346, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota RAV4 S 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 3 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 S 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 S ranks #29 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 99% of the segment. Its 8.2/10 overall score is 0.8 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $34,385 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Toyota RAV4 S scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 8.2 — 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 | $36,511 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.2/10 | $35,448 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 8.2/10 | $34,385 | |
| 2022 | 8.0/10 | $33,321 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $32,257 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.1/10 | $31,194 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.0/10 | $30,131 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.9/10 | $29,067 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $28,003 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.9/10 | $26,941 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.8/10 | $25,877 | Read review → |
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.
