2023 RAV4 Gas Trim Levels

Overview

The RAV4 was an early pioneer of the compact crossover market, and it remains a dominant force in the industry to this day. 2019 saw the debut of the fifth iteration of Toyota’s best-selling RAV4 crossover. Toyota has engineered it for broad appeal, offering the RAV4 in numerous trim levels and with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Five different gas-powered 2023 Toyota RAV4 trim levels are offered.

As a daily driver SUV, the RAV4 is a good option. It has a roomy interior, excellent gas mileage, and practical technological enhancements. The controls are intuitively placed, the cabin is comfortable, and the large side mirrors improve your viewing ability.

The thrashy acceleration, though, is a strong incentive to opt for the speedier and smoother RAV4 Hybrid instead. The RAV4’s ride quality isn’t quite as smooth and refined as that of some rivals in the same class. It corners with ease, although it’s not exactly athletic.

The brand-new Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Mazda CX-5 are just a few of the really capable rivals. Alternatives with lower starting prices include the Nissan Rogue, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson.

What’s New for 2023?

The 7-inch display on the LE, XLE, and XLE Premium trims has been replaced with an 8-inch touchscreen. The  Limited model gets a larger 10.5-inch display.

The touchscreen interface has been improved to be more user-friendly than before and comes with wireless connection to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Limited also comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital driver information display.

Which Toyota RAV4 Gas Trim is most popular?

When looking at vehicles in the 2023 price range, the RAV4 XLE is still a top pick. The appearance of the XLE is improved with features such as power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry and ignition, all of which add to the vehicle’s comfort. It is only $3,500 more than the LE.

The RAV4 XLE Premium adds features including 19-inch alloys, leatherette seat material, and Driver Seat Memory System for about $3,000.

Performance

Even though many of its competitors have switched to smaller displacement engines with turbochargers, the 2023 RAV4 still has a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed direct-shift automatic transmission.

The RAV4 Gas model’s fuel economy is prioritized over its performance. Toyota made the sensible choice by toning down the engine’s aggressiveness despite it having sufficient power.

The vehicle is also not particularly responsive to the driver’s inputs. The RAV4 appears clunky, and its suspension’s soft tuning makes it sluggish over bumps in the road.

The engine can get loud when you put your foot down on the gas to accelerate on the freeway or take on a steep ascent. When travelling at highway speeds, the Toyota RAV4 Gas model’s cabin lets in somewhat more road and wind noise.

Automatic All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Dynamic Torque Control allows for the front wheels to lock and the rear wheels to spin when needed, maximizing fuel economy on all but the Limited. The Trail trim is the only one capable of towing a maximum of 3,500 pounds, while a maximum of 1,500 pounds can be towed with the other trims.

Speaking of the Trail model, it is great for indulging in light offroad activity. But its 8.6-inch ground clearance is identical to that of the Limited model, which is just a hair higher than that of the LE and XLE.

Interior Comfort

Digital display rearview mirror, heated steering wheel, Qi-wireless phone charger, kick-sensing power liftgate, bird’s-eye view camera, smart key, perforated heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive front headlight system, parking assist with automatic braking, and a head-up display are just some of the high-tech and premium features available on the RAV4.

A 7.0-inch screen replaces last year’s 4.2-inch display as standard in the gauge cluster. Even better is the new 12.3-inch all-digital gauge display, which is standard on higher-end versions.

However, in contrast to other offerings that will be available in 2023, it has a few drawbacks.

Although visually pleasing from the outside, the interior design falls short. When compared to newer crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, the RAV4 feels and looks dated. The cargo space of the RAV4 is comparable to that of some competitors but greater than that of others. It doesn’t have the plushest front seats in the class.

Infotainment and Safety Features

This year, the standard size of a touchscreen device has increased to 8.0 inches, up from 7.0 inches the previous year. The premium models’ touchscreens have grown to 10.5″, up from 9.0″ the previous year.

The larger touchscreen improves the car’s already superb user friendliness to a new, more intuitive level. It incorporates a voice-command system that may be engaged by saying “Hey, Toyota”.

The RAV4’s standard touch screen interface has been improved across the board. Unlike previous RAV4 models, the 2023 edition can receive over-the-air updates to its software. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, as well as dual Bluetooth connectivity, are also new.

Depending on the trim, three to five USB ports are available, as well as a wireless charging pad. A 360-degree camera system, built-in navigation, and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system are among the premium technology offerings.

Eight airbags are standard on all RAV4 models. The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of driver assistance and active safety technologies comes standard on nearly every new Toyota.

SS comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high lights. Front and rear automated emergency braking are also offered, with junction assistance added for 2023 to avoid crashes with vehicles or pedestrians when turning across an intersection.