The RAV4 is the best-selling Toyota, so there is no shortage of mpg numbers, but most of them are EPA window-sticker figures. This guide lists the EPA numbers by year and powertrain, then separates what we could verify about real-world mpg from owner reports we only saw second-hand.
Where these numbers come from. EPA city, highway and combined mpg from the fueleconomy.gov web service for every RAV4 model year from 2013 through 2026. Owner data from TrueDelta and a Cars.com road test, both cited below. We did not use Fuelly averages: we could not open the Fuelly pages ourselves to verify them.
EPA MPG by Year
| YEARS | POWERTRAIN | DRIVE | CITY / HWY / COMBINED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | 2.5L gas, 6-speed | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2013–2015 | 2.5L gas, 6-speed | AWD | 22 / 28 / 25 |
| 2016–2018 | 2.5L gas, 6-speed | FWD | 23 / 29 / 25 (LE and XLE 23 / 30 / 26) |
| 2016–2018 | 2.5L gas, 6-speed | AWD | 22 / 28 / 25 (Limited and SE 22 / 28 / 24) |
| 2016–2018 | Hybrid | AWD | 34 / 30 / 32 |
| 2019–2025 | 2.5L gas, 8-speed | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
| 2019–2025 | 2.5L gas, 8-speed | AWD | 25 / 33 / 28 (some trims 27 / 33 / 29, LE 27 / 34 / 30) |
| 2020–2025 | Gas TRD Off-Road | AWD | 25 / 32 / 27 (2020) or 28 (2021+) |
| 2019–2025 | Hybrid | AWD | 41 / 38 / 40 (2024–2025: 39) |
| 2023–2025 | Hybrid Woodland Edition | AWD | 38 / 35 / 37 |
| 2021–2025 | RAV4 Prime | AWD | 40 / 36 / 38 on gas; 94 MPGe; 42 miles electric; 600 miles total range |
| 2026 | Hybrid | FWD | 47 / 40 / 43 |
| 2026 | Hybrid | AWD | 43 / 37 / 41 (Limited, XSE), 46 / 39 / 42 (SE, LE), 45 / 38 / 41 (XLE) |
| 2026 | Hybrid Woodland Edition | AWD | 41 / 35 / 38 |
The 2026 RAV4 is hybrid only and uses a CVT. We did not see a 2026 Prime row. The 2013 electric model is left out. Some trims within a year differ by 1 mpg; the table gives the typical value and notes the exceptions we saw.
Real-World MPG: What We Could Verify
- 2020 AWD hybrid, TrueDelta: owners average 39 mpg, against an EPA 41 city / 38 highway (40 combined). TrueDelta does not state the sample size on the page we read, so treat it as a rough check. TrueDelta RAV4 mpg
- 2021 RAV4 Prime electric range, Cars.com: 42.7 miles on a mixed Michigan loop with the A/C off, against the 42-mile EPA rating. The trip computer had predicted 39. Cars.com test
The TrueDelta page did not show an owner average for gas RAV4s, so we are not publishing one.
What Owners Report (Individual Posts, Not Averages)
These come from owner forum threads. They are single reports, not measurements, and we have not verified them.
- Cold weather cuts Prime range. Owners describe 40–42 miles of electric range in warm months falling to roughly 28–30 in winter, and the gas engine running to heat the cabin in very cold weather. InsideEVs forum thread
- Highway speed hurts. One hybrid owner reports 32–34 mpg at about 75 mph with the A/C on. Fuelly forum thread
- Towing. One owner reports about 20 mpg towing a 2,000 lb trailer with a hybrid. See our towing guide.
- All-terrain tires. Owners commonly report a loss of roughly 2–3 mpg after switching to A/T tires. See our tire size guide.
How to Get Closer to the EPA Number
- Keep tires at the pressure on the door-jamb placard, checked cold.
- Slow down on the highway; the RAV4's mpg falls off sharply above 70.
- In a Prime, precondition the cabin while plugged in and charge in a warm garage in winter.
- On short trips, the 12V battery and engine oil both suffer. See our maintenance schedule.
Links below are affiliate links: toyotadata earns a commission from VEVOR and, as an Amazon Associate, from qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you.
| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
|---|---|---|
| Milton digital tire inflator with gauge | Correct pressure matters for mpg. Check cold, when the RAV4 has sat overnight | Shop on Amazon |
| NOCO Boost GB40 lithium jump starter | Hybrid and Prime owners report 12V battery drain from short trips and parked time | Shop on Amazon |
| NOCO GENIUS5 smart battery charger and maintainer | Keeps a 12V battery topped off if the RAV4 sits | Shop on Amazon |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gas mileage of a Toyota RAV4?
EPA combined: 25–26 mpg for 2013–2018 gas models, 28–30 mpg for 2019–2025 gas models. The 2026 RAV4 is hybrid only, at 41–43 mpg combined.
How much better is the RAV4 Hybrid?
EPA combined is 39–40 mpg for 2019–2025, against 28–30 for the gas model. That is roughly 10 mpg more.
How far can a RAV4 Prime go on electric power?
The EPA rating is 42 miles. Cars.com measured 42.7 miles in a 2021 test; owners report less in winter.
Is the RAV4 Hybrid really 40 mpg?
TrueDelta's 2020 AWD hybrid owners average 39 mpg, close to the EPA 40 combined.
Related RAV4 Guides
- Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity by Year, Trim and Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 Recall Tracker: Every Recall 2013–2026
- Toyota RAV4 Tire Size by Year and Trim (2013–2025)
- Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
- RAV4 Prime Cost Calculator: Electric vs Gas Per Mile
- Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 TSB Tracker: Bulletins and Known Issues
- Toyota Towing Capacity Chart: Every Truck and SUV
Sources: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov (2013–2026 Toyota RAV4); TrueDelta; Cars.com; owner threads linked above.
Keep reading
2026 Toyota RAV4 TSB Tracker: Bulletins and Known Issues
Toyota has filed seven bulletins for 2026 RAV4 problems with NHTSA so far, and one fixes most of the infotainment complaints: T-SB-0050-26 (August 19, 2026) is a head unit software update, version 8612G42397, for the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. It addresses reboots, black screens, an inoperative "Add a device" button, wireless Android Auto failing after remote start, and more, and it is covered by the 36-month/36,000-mile Basic Warranty. The other six are tech tips on CarPlay and audio dropouts (T-TT-0803-26), distance to empty (T-TT-0800-26), a Prime that won't charge (T-TT-0801-26), remote start (T-TT-0798-26), battery state of health (T-TT-0806-26) and a check engine code under investigation (T-TT-0810-26). There are two 2026 recalls and no bulletin yet for the sunglass holder, moonroof rattle or data module complaints owners post about.
Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
The 2019 and 2020 RAV4 have the most documented problems: NHTSA lists recalls for engine casting porosity, front lower control arms, power steering assist loss and fuel pumps on those years. 2019 and newer gas RAV4s are named in a December 2025 lawsuit over the 8-speed automatic transmission; the claims are unproven and Toyota has not recalled it. Hybrids and Primes have a repeated 12V battery drain complaint (Toyota issued a service bulletin for the 2021 Prime), and 2019–2022 hybrids have the rear power cable corrosion that Toyota Canada covered with an extended warranty. 2013–2018 gas RAV4s have a short recall list, mostly labels.
Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
NHTSA's complaint database holds 880 complaints for the 2019 RAV4 and 635 for the 2020, against 90 to 333 for most other years. The 2019 spike is led by fuel and propulsion system (255) and engine (206) complaints, which line up with the fuel pump and engine casting recalls. The 2021 year is led by air bags (125), matching the occupant sensor and steering column recalls. 2023 to 2025 complaints run 90 to 176 a year, led by electrical system, engine and steering. The 2026 RAV4 has no NHTSA complaints on file yet. Its recalls are a load label and a Prime motor generator ECU update.
Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
Toyota's gas RAV4 schedule (2025 model) lists service every 5,000 miles or six months. Engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles, engine and cabin air filters every 30,000 miles, spark plugs at 120,000 miles, and engine coolant at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Automatic transmission fluid is inspected at 30,000-mile intervals and replaced early only under severe conditions. Towing, dusty roads and short winter trips put you on the severe schedule: oil every 5,000 miles. The Prime follows its own schedule, with oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months.