America's Best Selling SUV: The Toyota RAV4
Toyota’s RAV4 has come a long way since its 1994 debut, and is now America's best selling SUV in its fifth generation. No longer a plastic-clad Suzuki wannabe, the RAV4 comes in both gas and hybrid models. Right now Toyota has a number of excellent incentives on the RAV4, which is due for a redesign soon. See why the RAV4 continues to be the best-seller in a crowded segment.
Toyota cars and SUVs continue to offer Americans of all classes some of the most reliable transportation on the market. From their entry to America in 1957 to game-changing models like the Corolla and the Camry, Toyota is now the best selling car brand in America, usurping the throne from General Motors in 2021.
The entry-level RAV4 LE starts at an attractive $29,250 msrp, putting this reliable SUV well within reach of a great many Americans, making it crazy cheap compared to the average $48,247 new vehicle purchase price these days. A 2.5L 4 cylinder with available all wheel drive has 203 horsepower and a beyond-respectable 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Standard equipment includes LED projector headlights, an eight speed automatic transmission, an 8 inch multimedia screen which is compatible with Android Auto or Apple Carplay, and all the power options you’ve come to expect as standard like windows, mirrors, and locks. XLE trim is $30,185 msrp and adds 17 inch alloys and dual zone auto climate control A host of other trims exist including XLE Premium, $33,075 msrp with its 19 inch wheels, SofTex faux leather seats, and power tilt/slide moonroof, as well as Adventure, $34,870 msrp, with 19 inch matte black wheels and torque vectoring all wheel drive. TRD Off road, $38,295 msrp, adds TRD tuned suspension and 18 inch matte black TRD alloy wheels, and the luxury Limited is $36,980 msrp.
The RAV4 Hybrid LE starts at $31,725 msrp and gets a combined 219 net horsepower from its 2.5L hybrid engine. It has electric all wheel drive, unlike front wheel drive gas RAV4’s, and gets up to 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, making it substantially more fuel efficient than “regular” RAV4’s. Prices range up to $40,030 msrp on the Hybrid Limited or $37,385 msrp on the two-tone Hybrid XSE.
There is also a plug-in Hybrid model which gets its own name, the RAV4 Prime. It can go on electric-only range for up to 42 miles. For this eco-friendly feature, you must pay either $45,040 msrp for Prime SE or $48,910 msrp for Prime XSE, making the RAV4 Prime competitively priced with other plug-in hybrids, but a tough pill to swallow compared to the regular RAV4 Hybrid. RAV4 Prime is also available with two-tone paint and does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, properly dusting all other RAV4’s.
Right now Toyota has a number of incentives to move units of the RAV4. This includes attractive APR’s and great lease deals. Lastly Toyota has rebates available for college students and military members. Be sure to consult local dealers for current offers on RAV4 models.
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