Toyota RAV4: Which Should You Buy, 2023 or 2024?

Most significant changes: Prices for the Toyota RAV4 are up slightly for the 2024 model year.

The Toyota RAV4 is a popular five-seat compact SUV that received its last major redesign for the 2019 model year. Since then, Toyota has made a steady stream of improvements that have included upgraded infotainment systems, improved safety features and even the addition of models with greater degrees of off-road driving capability.

Related: 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Review: Good on Gas, Bad on Noise

For those interested in additional fuel savings, the RAV4 is also available with either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain — the latter is known as the RAV4 Prime. Direct rivals to the RAV4 include the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester.

2024 Trim Levels

The 2024 RAV4 is available in six trims — LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road and Limited — the same lineup structure as the 2023 model. It’s status quo in terms of trims for the RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime, too. The hybrid is offered with a total of seven trims (LE, XLE, Woodland Edition, XLE Premium, SE, XSE and Limited), and the RAV4 Prime’s trims include two choices, the SE and XSE.

Powertrain Specs and MPG

For the 2024 model year, the RAV4 soldiers on with a 203-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on most trims of the regular RAV4, and all-wheel drive is optional; the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims have AWD standard.

Though official 2024 numbers aren’t yet available, the most fuel-efficient FWD versions of the 2023 RAV4 get an EPA-rated 27/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined; adding AWD drops this slightly to 27/34/30 mpg. Keep in mind, go-anywhere themed models with AWD, like the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, see their mileage dip further, with the biggest culprit being their chunkier all-terrain tires. For example, the TRD Off-Road returns 25/32/28 mpg.

As for the RAV4 Hybrid, it features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder coupled to two electric motors. Total output is 219 hp, and power is sent to all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. It’s EPA-rated at 41/38/40 mpg. But like the gas-powered RAV4’s more outdoorsy trims, the hybrid’s Woodland Edition returns slightly lower averages of 38/35/37 mpg.

Finally, the AWD-only RAV4 Prime offers 42 miles of electric-only driving range and 38 mpg combined when operating only on its gas-fed engine, according to the EPA. Its powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a single electric motor that produces a stout 302 hp total; a CVT is standard.

Tech Features

The RAV4’s all-important onboard technology features carryover for the 2024 model year. The gas-powered RAV4 is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice-activated controls, satellite radio, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and three USB ports.

Available upgrades include a 10.5-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless device charging, two additional USB ports, navigation and an 11-speaker JBL stereo. For those living in chillier climates, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel become optional when moving up to the XLE trim.

The RAV4 Hybrid has a similar degree of standard tech features, though it adds dual-zone climate control into the mix. As for the RAV4 Prime, it comes with all the above and adds up to five USB outlets, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. Opting for the Weather & Moonroof Package brings with it, unsurprisingly, a moonroof, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Safety features are also the same between the 2023 and 2024 RAV4 lineup. Standard across the board is Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a bundle of active driver-assist features that includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering assist, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam headlights. Notable upgrades, or safety items that are standard on upper trims, consist of blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.

Pricing for 2024

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 is on sale now and has a starting price of $29,825, including a $1,350 destination charge (unchanged from 2023). The prices for 2024 models by trim level are listed below, with the change from 2023 in parentheses. AWD adds $1,400 to the gas-powered RAV4’s price for all but the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which come with AWD standard.

RAV4

• LE: $29,825 (up $200)
• XLE: $31,335 (up $200)
• XLE Premium: $34,225 (up $200)
• Adventure: $36,020 (up $200)
• Limited: $38,130 (up $200)
• TRD Off-Road: $39,445 (up $200)

RAV4 Hybrid

• LE: $32,825 (up $250)
• XLE: $34,335 (up $250)
• SE: $35,520 (up $250)
• Woodland Edition: $36,045 (up $670)
• XLE Premium: $37,225 (up $250)
• XSE: $38,485 (up $250)
• Limited: $41,130 (up $250)

RAV4 Prime

• SE: $44,790 (up $350)
• XSE: $48,660 (up $350)

Which Should You Buy?

Since they are basically the same vehicle, landing a good deal on either a 2023 or 2024 RAV4 is a savvy way to spend your money. Granted, the 2023 model is slightly cheaper overall. But a dealership could be willing to cut a better deal on a 2024 model, depending on a variety of factors such as trim, powertrain and feature content.

More From Cars.com:

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• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime?
• Is the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a Good SUV? 5 Pros and 4 Cons
• Toyota RAV4 Prime and Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid: Testing EV Range, Efficiency in Colder Temperatures

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