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2015 Toyota RAV4

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

Toyota RAV4
Pictured: 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium in Silver Sky with Midnight Black roof, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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

Engine176 hp2.5L 4-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

Limited (G Grade)XLE (M Grade)LE (X Grade)

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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Le AWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in65.4 in104.7 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,527 lb58/42
Le FWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in65.4 in104.7 in61.4 / 61.4 in3,406 lb58/42
Xle FWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in67.3 in104.7 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,439 lb58/42
Xle/Limited AWD 4dr SUV179.5 in72.8 in67.3 in104.7 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,561 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RAV42.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26+8%$2,600344
RAV4 LE/XLE2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26+8%$2,600338
RAV4 AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 25+11%$2,700357
RAV4 Limited AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24+6%$2,800362
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

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

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Toyota RAV4 (this car)26 MPGNot rated4
2015 Honda CR-V29 MPGNot rated3
2015 Hyundai Tucson25 MPGNot rated2
2015 Subaru Forester27 MPGNot rated3
2015 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated3
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan23 MPGNot rated4
2015 Kia Sportage23 MPGNot rated2

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Toyota RAV4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

304Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
37Involved a crash
41Involved a fire
30Injuries reported
35,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System84
Unknown Or Other60
Steering47
Engine37
Service Brakes30
Structure › Body26
Power Train23
Vehicle Speed Control20
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/03: 524/04: 124/05: 324/07: 524/08: 124/09: 524/10: 224/11: 124/12: 225/01: 225/02: 225/04: 325/06: 225/07: 225/08: 425/11: 425/12: 226/01: 226/03: 126/05: 226/06: 126/08: 126/09: 126/10: 124/0324/0724/1025/0125/0625/1126/0326/08max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Toyota RAV4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 84 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Steering — 47 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Engine — 37 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. 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 →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 RAV443181.1 inNot rated242
2025 RAV439180.7 in★★★★★4106
2024 RAV439180.7 in★★★★★4177
2023 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★3171
2022 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★2154
2021 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★1411
2020 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★6650
2019 RAV440180.7 in★★★★★8905
2018 RAV432181.1 in★★★★★3348
2017 RAV432181.1 inNot rated3321
2016 RAV432181.1 inNot rated3257
2014 RAV426179.5 inNot rated7195

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →