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2018 Toyota RAV4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles: AWD 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV, Hybrid
Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl
Horsepower: 112–176 hp
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, CVT
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 32 combined · 34 city / 30 hwy
Length: 181.1 in
Curb weight: 3,428–3,891 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 38% better than the average 2018 small SUV (23.2 MPG).
Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
AWD / 4WD available
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,549 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (34 city / 30 highway), 38% better than the 2018 small SUV average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 348 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2018

Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 RAV4 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine176 hp2.5L 4-cyl

Engine112 hp2.5L 4-cyl hybrid

Transmission6-speed automatic · CVT

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

Adventure/XLELELE Plus/XLE

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringOptional

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Adaptive driving beamStandard

Keyless startSome trims

Built in: Woodstock, Ontario · Toyota City, Aichi · Obu, Aichi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 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
AWD 4dr SUV	181.1 in	72.8 in	67.3 in	104.7 in	61.8 / 61.8 in	3,549 lb	58/42
FWD 4dr SUV	181.1 in	72.8 in	67.3 in	104.7 in	61.8 / 61.8 in	3,428 lb	58/42
Hybrid	181.1 in	72.8 in	67.3 in	104.7 in	61.8 / 61.8 in	3,891 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 Hybrid AWD Hybrid	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	All-Wheel Drive	34 / 30 / 32	+38%	$2,100	275
RAV4 LE/XLE	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	23 / 30 / 26	+4%	$2,600	338
RAV4	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	23 / 29 / 25	0%	$2,700	349
RAV4 AWD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	22 / 28 / 25	+8%	$2,700	357
RAV4 Limited AWD/SE AWD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	22 / 28 / 24	+3%	$2,800	363

7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

7/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

23.2 MPG2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	17.4%
2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	16.9%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2018 Toyota RAV4 (this car)	32 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Honda CR-V	30 MPG	★★★★★	5
2018 Toyota 4Runner	18 MPG	★★★★★	5
2018 Hyundai Tucson	27 MPG	★★★★★	1
2018 Subaru Forester	28 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Mazda CX-5	29 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan	24 MPG	★★★★★	14

Recalls (3)

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.

Equipment › Other › Labels · Jun 28, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V503000 · 1,325 vehicles

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

Equipment › Other › Labels · Dec 20, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V831000 · 649 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Toyota RAV4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

348Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

33Involved a crash

33Involved a fire

19Injuries reported

12,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Electrical System129

Unknown Or Other74

Engine33

Service Brakes30

Power Train28

Exterior Lighting22

Vehicle Speed Control20

Visibility/Wiper19

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Toyota RAV4 buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Electrical System — 129 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Engine — 33 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Service Brakes — 30 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 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
2017 RAV4	32	181.1 in	Not rated	3	321
2016 RAV4	32	181.1 in	Not rated	3	257
2015 RAV4	26	179.5 in	Not rated	4	304
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 →