USED: 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Review: Is This Bestseller the Best Compact SUV?
Erica Mueller
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You Will Want to Trade in Your Sedan.
When our family needed a reliable vehicle with a good fuel economy for my husband’s daily commute, we ended up with a sedan. We were never really the sedan type. Our Camry’s 34mpg had been a lifesaver (and budget saver!) for many years, but I’ve found myself wishing the 2018 Toyota RAV4 had been an option when we needed it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e8vTR8rnUY&feature=youtu.be Back then, the Toyota RAV4‘s fuel economy wouldn’t have suited our needs, but the current model is just as efficient as our car, seats the same number of people, and it’s way roomier. Plus you get that up-off-the-ground feeling of driving an SUV. I’d trade my car in a heartbeat! This isn’t my first time driving and loving the Toyota RAV4. And I hope it won’t be my last! I seriously love this little SUV and that’s saying a lot; I’m more of a truck girl. Further Reading: Gotta Get Away? 4 Ways Car Camping has You Covered
Behind the wheel of the RAV4 Adventure. Photo by Erica Mueller
Who the Toyota RAV4 Adventure is For
- Outdoor adventurers and weekend warriors
- Smaller families who prefer the height of an SUV over a sedan
- People who want something a little sportier than a sedan
- Families that need all-wheel drive for inclement weather or weekend adventure (though the Adventure is available in front wheel drive too, for those whose adventures don’t require the extra power)
- Drivers who want the Toyota Safety Sense system, standard on the Adventure, which includes pre-collision mitigation, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam headlights and adaptive cruise control
This Adventure badge can be found on the tailgate and the floormats. Photo: Erica Mueller
What This Fun Little SUV Costs
- Toyota RAV4 Base Price new: $24,660
- Adventure AWD base price new: $29,545
- Model we drove: $32,440
Groceries for 6 plus sports gear. And check out that cargo mat; it’s rubberized and can easily be removed and hosed off. Photo: Erica Mueller
The SUV that Suits Everyone
One thing we really love about the Toyota RAV4 is its ability to win hearts from every segment of buyer. Its great fuel economy and price makes it budget friendly, while the added height makes people feel safer. It’s just sporty enough to attract the young buyers, but not so edgy that the more mature crowd dismisses it. Loaded with Toyota’s standard safety features, parents feel comfortable choosing this little SUV as a first car for their teen drivers. And everyone loves the crazy amount of cargo space for transporting shopping hauls, camping gear, or furry friends. All this is why small SUVs have become more popular than sedans, and why the Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling SUV in America in 2017. It even surpassed the Camry, the best selling car in the US for 15 years running.
A clean and compact infotainment center. Photo: Erica Mueller
Sometimes Adventure Comes in Small Packages
We usually think of adventure vehicles being larger than this… The Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia are good examples of off-road SUVs. But, small can work too. While you may not be doing any serious off-roading in the RAV4, the Adventure model’s all-wheel drive capabilities, oversized wheels, and higher ground clearance make this a fabulous choice for the outdoor weekend adventure. Tie some kayaks on top and hit the rapids, or strap on some skis for a downhill thrill. You’ll have plenty of space for your gear, all-weather mats (easy to clean!) and mud flaps to handle the mud, and Sport mode for that little extra kick. It really is built for the weekend escape. Need a little more off-road capability? Try the 2017 Jeep Wrangler on for Size!
I’ll probably insist on all-weather floor mats in my next vehicle! Photo: Erica Mueller
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure is Kid and Dog-Friendly
The Adventure appearance package is my favorite because it’s a little sportier than the SE or XLE. My favorite of the Adventure features is the rubber floor and cargo space mats. Seriously. Pull them out and hose them off. Even the dog can come along and you won’t have to worry about the carpet in the cargo area! I also love the matte black decal on the hood, and the black trim and mirrors. Oh! And check out that front end… anyone reminded of the Toyota Tacoma? The Adventure trim also adds some fun textures to the interior for that extra sporty look. Of course you get a gorgeous panoramic moonroof and all the amenities like navigation and entertainment on the touchscreen and a backup camera for safety. There are USB ports up front and Bluetooth capabilities for connecting all your devices. And lots of storage and drink holders. I’m a huge fan of cloth seats when it comes to traveling with kids and pets, so I was totally cool with the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure’s cloth seats because they are so easy to clean and aren’t easily scratched by the dog’s claws. But I do know that not everyone loves cloth. If that’s you, you may want to check out the XLE trim which comes with all the bells and whistles… and leather seats.
Who doesn’t love round air vents? Just one more fun design element found in the RAV4. Photo: Erica Mueller
What We Loved
- Panoramic moonroof for extra natural lighting
- Heated front seats and heated mirrors!
- Sporty interior with Adventure badging on seats and floor mats
- All-weather rubber mats all around… even in the cargo area!
- Plenty of room for everyone, even the dog
- Smaller size but still, lots of cargo and passenger space
- Improved MPG over prior RAV4 models: 22MPG city/28MPG highway, averaging about 25 MPG
Well, hello, gorgeous! We see you itching for adventure and we’re in! Photo: Erica Mueller
What You Need to Know
- 4 cylinder engine
- 176 Horsepower
- 3 drive modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport
- All-wheel drive
- Tow capacity up to 3,500 lbs
- 18″ 5-Spoke Black Alloy Wheels
- Seats 5 but more comfortable for 4
- 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded flat
- 60/40 split fold-down rear seats
- Available 120V power in cargo area
- 36 months/36,000 miles Basic Warranty
- 60 months/60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty
Disclosure: The Rav4 Adventure was provided for this review; all opinions are my own. 
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