Overview & Reviews

For 2015, the Toyota RAV4 is essentially unchanged save for a couple of new options and features. Specifically, there is a new Blizzard Pearl appearance package for the Limited, while the XLE picks up new wheels and the option of a power liftgate. Toyota has also revised the RAV4's frontal structure this year to improve the vehicle's score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small-overlap frontal-offset crash test.

• Strikes a good balance between ride comfort and sure-footed handling.
• Roomy interior for people and cargo

• No engine upgrade option
• Usefulness of available Entune smartphone features is diminished by cumbersome setup process.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 78.00

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  Awesome compact SUV! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Joyce - October 6 - 2:43 am

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  My 2012 was better! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Tammy - November 27 - 6:35 am

  I just purchased the 2015 Rav4 LE. I had a 2012. After driving it a few days Im missing my older Rav4. For starters the daytime running lights no longer exist. When I use the headlights there is no small light on my dashboard to tell me my lights are on. And my headlights do not automatically go off when I park my vehicle, the way the 2012 did. The windshield wipers do not have that interment option anymore either. The console area has less compartments than the 2012 also. Im just very disappointed that Toyota would take away these small options. They make a big difference. I did read reviews that there is less space in the 2015 Rav 4 and that is true. But I was expecting that.

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  Best Compact SUV Lease Choise for Us - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By gb philly burbs - September 26 - 7:04 pm

  We are leasing the 2015 RAV4 AWD 6A LE, replacing a comparable 2012 RAV4. We do a lot of long distance highway driving and find it very comfortable. Overall it is a step improvement over the previous model and we are happy with it, though it is no luxury vehicle. Of the other SUVs we considered, it was the best manufacturers lease deal. Weve been leasing to wait for better SUV fuel economy breakthroughs. Now that a RAV4 Hybrid is available, that is our top purchase candidate. We considered Honda CRV, Subaru Forester, and Subaru Outback. The much more expensive Outback was the best riding, best MPG, most luxurious , and much quieter, but we preferred the upright seating and compacter wheelbase of a true SUV. Of the 3 true SUVs the Toyota was the quietest (both Honda and Subaru still have unacceptable highway wind noise after all these years) and smoothest handling at highway speeds. Like its 2012 predecessor, our RAV4 was flawlessly constructed. The engine purrs and acceleration is very smooth. Handling is good considering the higher center of gravity and weight of an SUV (Forrester wins in this category with its boxer engine). In strong wind at highway speed handling is jittery due to the high profile and short wheelbase- a lot of micro steering adjustments may be required. Mileage is decent, but not exceptional, and little better than the previous model despite the addition of an extra gear. If I keep it under 65 mph I can handily beat the EPA highway 29 MPG rating. However, on a recent 1200 mile highway drive at 80+/- mph, with some frantic stop and going around metro Washington DC, we averaged 27.6 mpg. Overall I have averaged 26.1 mpg in normal driving mode, lighting up the green ECO LED most of the way. 2017 UPDATE: Just drove 1150 miles from FL to PA with several half hour traffic crawl delays, otherwise averaging 70-80 mph with average mpg of 29.5 in eco mode. I have no problem with the electronic displays and controls. Find them useful, easy to read, and intuitive. Backup camera with guidelines is a great feature. Basic stereo sound is nothing special; works well with USB or music player, easy to set up blue tooth connections. It pisses me off that Toyota doesnt include a driver lumbar support in anything but the XLE model. Seats are fairly comfortable though better for me if I use a Back Joy Sit Smart. Some other areas where you now get less than in the previous model: no overhead sun glass holder, only one in-dash storage box and a useless shelf above it, less console storage, glove box does not lock, no cross bars (but a cheap after market purchase if you need it, and at least you get roof rails on the basic models unlike the CRV), no back seat fold down lever in the storage area, no VARIABLE control for intermittent wiper, no full size spare, plastic wheel covers instead of finished steel wheels. The extra charge floor mats are very cheap, better to get something after market. Some pluses versus 2012, ours included a rear storage cover, backup camera, the rear seat headrests can be easily folded down to improve rear view visibility, in car spare storage and upswing rear door makes rear access much easier, better MPG feedback tools, quieter ride. Rear visibility is excellent (much better than CRV). However, the forward descending body side lines throw you off when trying to align the car in a parking space. Cannot see speedometer when driver seat position is elevated.

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  not a good start - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By lisaleeann - December 9 - 10:21 am

  I bought my first new car in 30 years 3 days ago. A Toyota Rav4, beautiful. I was happy. Wait. First, my contacts wouldnt load onto the bluetooth system although I have a perfectly acceptable android phone. Now, my car alarm is going off every twenty minutes. I finally had to take a battery cable off to get some sleep. Im worried...is this the joys of ownership?

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  sorebutt - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By John - October 17 - 2:09 am

  Bought a limited and have found out that the front seats are made for people under 6. Drivers side is too narrow for comfort. Your right leg will ride on side buttress and not on seat cushion. On long rides, you will be very uncomfortable. It was my mistake and I will have to live with it. When you are test driving a new car, you tend to look at all of the bells and whistles, and forget about comfort. Please do not make my mistake. A very costly mistake. I love Toyotas- had a Camry before the limited. Wow-talk about opposites-going from comfort and quiet, to noise and, "cant wait to get out of that seat" vehicle. Be wise and TAKE YOUR TIME". Remember, there is a big difference between a regular car and an SUV. You will be giving up comfort and noise level. *** Update-5-6-17! Car still uncomfortable for me. Still paying for a car I do not like. Would like to sell it and go back to a Honda or Toyota sedan-more comfort, more cargo space, better gas mileage! As for gas mileage- always subtract at least 5 MPG from window sticker. Getting around 22-23 MPG combined. Glad gas is cheap at this moment! As for the positives- looks good, made very well, tight body, tight engine- in other words, a Toyota!!

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  Expect great gas mileage for the RAV4 XLE AWD - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By baby boomer - August 21 - 7:27 pm

  Husband has owned Toyota trucks for 20 years. We averaged 27 mpg on a 2000 mile trip through Colorado and New Mexico, with several mountain passes. It gets the job done! Our RAV has 21,000 miles now and its great for everyday use. Bought it for the AWD for winter weather. It handles very well in snowy slippery streets. Disappointed it only had one car charger for our cell phones and garmin, plus the 1 usb port. Our first long trip was a 12 hour drive to south Texas this spring. That was when we realized the seats felt terrible. I drove 2 Honda Civics for 100K+ miles each and never felt the discomfort/pain that we have with this suv. When the opportunity comes, Im going back to driving a Honda.

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  UPDATE - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By jacknhill - April 3 - 5:42 pm

  As an add-on to the first opinion I wrote of the 2015 RAV4: Initially I was slightly disappointed with MPGs and realized the extreme cold temps. in the NE USA were the reason.A recent road trip produced Identical MPGs as a traded-in 13 CRV: 62 MPH= 34 MPG 69 MPH= 30 MPG 74 MPH= 28.5 MPG 79 MPH= 27.6 MPG W/cruise control over 200+ miles at each speed.MPG was identical to the CRV.The RAV4 is 150 lbs. heavier too.RAV4 also fits more cargo as the wheel wells inside the back are 44"apart.The rear seats also fold down completely level,unlike CRV.Driving in city, Sport mode is a must to shift smoother.The 6 speed manual/auto is a ++. Michelins grab the road in cornering,big +++.

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  Rav4 problems - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By RL Williams - September 20 - 7:06 am

  After driving four other brands in the Rav4 class, we felt it was the best compromise of spacious interior, comfort and mileage. The ability of the back seats to fold flat easily was a factor when compared with Volkswagen. A conventional automatic transmission was our choice over the Subaru and Honda CVT. The ride quality and looks of the VW and Subaru was superior to the Rav4 however. After 5000 miles in the Toyota I would recommend driving some additional cars before selecting the Rav4. The cold start up is very annoying, instantly going to 2400 rpm instead of just starting and idling. The dealer says that is "normal". It may be normal, if so, Toyota needs to change the design. Also the stereo is not intuitive to set up or use. You cannot delete a station, it can only be replaced with another, and occasionally the touch screen seems to lock up and refuses any command. This is my first automatic transmission car in a very long time, so Ive had to make very sure not to use my left foot. If you even touch the brake pedal while accelerating the ecm commands the engine to idle. At least thats what Toyota says I did when attempting to merge into traffic and the throttle had no response. An interesting solution to unintended acceleration! The Rav4 seems to be a dependable, use full automobile that is uninspired in every category so far. As a follow up to the original review, Toyota and the local dealer say that the extremely hi rpm start is working as designed and that here is no way to change the idle. As to the brakes, they to are operating as designed- soft and mushy. Im impressed with the increasing power the engine has as it starts to break in. Also the small turning radius of the car is very impressive. So, a great working car that doesnt make me love it.

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  Good car - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Charles William Lancaster - April 11 - 6:59 pm

  Drives well, shifts good and gets pretty good mpgs I average around 26 hyw & town. On our 2500 mile trip we got 28 to 30 mpg.

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  Not happy with drivers seat - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Roshan - March 14 - 7:48 am

  Before buying this car, pay attention to drivers seat. I bought this vehicle and it was ok for couple of weeks and after that I noticed having back pain, Found out there are couple of springs in the back seat that are pushing against middle of back and that make it a very uncomfortable ride for driver. I contacted dealer and they advised me that use some kind of cushion as thats how seat is designed and nothing can be done to fix this problem. I had 2012 Rav4 and never had any problems with seat. Also I have a sienna at home and no problems. Its only this vehicle that is causing me back pain. I tried different positions on seat but no success. Thanks