DecodedCarsToyota RAV4 Prime
4 model years from 2021 to 2024, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2021–2024
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 38–38 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2024)
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2021 (99)
- Fewest problems
- 2022
- Interest
- 45,921 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2024 RAV4 Prime in brief
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,233 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 38 MPG combined (40 city / 36 highway), 52% better than the 2024 small SUV average of 25 MPG, for an estimated $1,750 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The Toyota RAV4 Prime has 4 model years in our data, from 2021 to 2024.
Its most efficient year was 2024 at 38 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 38 to 38 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (89), unknown or other (56), service brakes (27).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2021 is the year to avoid.
2021 has the most recalls (4); all years together count 7 campaigns and 215 owner complaints.
How the 2021 RAV4 Prime compares
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 38 MPG combined (40 city / 36 highway), 59% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,750 a year in fuel.
About the Toyota RAV4 Prime
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Having sold over 15 million units worldwide as of 2025, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV of all time. The car is credited with popularizing compact crossover automobiles, often credited as the first modern compact crossover SUV. In February 2025, the RAV4 replaced the Ford F-150 as the best-selling car in the United States, after nearly four decades of the latter's reign.
From the Wikipedia article "Toyota RAV4", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2024 RAV4 Prime pros & cons
Full 2024 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 52% better than the average 2024 small SUV (25 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 RAV4 Prime
29 owner complaints · 2 recalls · 1 fire report · 3 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2021 RAV4 Prime
99 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 1 fire report · 12 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 4 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
RAV4 Prime changes by model year
- 2023
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 4 model years side by side
Alternatives to the 2024 RAV4 Prime
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2024 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2024 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2024 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2024 Subaru Forester | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2024 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →