2015 Toyota RAV4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- Le AWD 4dr SUV, Le FWD 4dr SUV, Xle FWD 4dr SUV, Xle/Limited AWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 176 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 179.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,406–3,561 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,527 lb (Le AWD 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 30 highway), 8% better than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 304 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2015
- No all-electric version any more
Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 RAV4 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Woodstock, Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 RAV4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le AWD 4dr SUV | 179.5 in | 72.8 in | 65.4 in | 104.7 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,527 lb | 58/42 |
| Le FWD 4dr SUV | 179.5 in | 72.8 in | 65.4 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 3,406 lb | 58/42 |
| Xle FWD 4dr SUV | 179.5 in | 72.8 in | 67.3 in | 104.7 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,439 lb | 58/42 |
| Xle/Limited AWD 4dr SUV | 179.5 in | 72.8 in | 67.3 in | 104.7 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,561 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | +8% | $2,600 | 344 |
| RAV4 LE/XLE | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | +8% | $2,600 | 338 |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 25 | +11% | $2,700 | 357 |
| RAV4 Limited AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | +6% | $2,800 | 362 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Toyota RAV4.
Similar 2015 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Toyota RAV4 (this car) | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Honda CR-V | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2015 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Kia Sportage | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (4)
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery · Nov 1, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V734000 · 1,853,568 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
- Risk
- A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Mar 13, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V144000 · 110,085 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Trailer Hitches · Jan 16, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V011000 · 1,140 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
- Risk
- If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Equipment · Dec 30, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V828000 · 3,958 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
Not every 2015 Toyota RAV4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Toyota RAV4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 84 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 47 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 37 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota RAV4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other RAV4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RAV4 | 43 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 42 |
| 2025 RAV4 | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 106 |
| 2024 RAV4 | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 177 |
| 2023 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 171 |
| 2022 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 154 |
| 2021 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 411 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 650 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 905 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 348 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 321 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 257 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 26 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 7 | 195 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →