2017 Toyota RAV4 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 run from 22–23 mpg in town to 28–30 on the highway, or 24–26 combined, depending on which of its 4 gasoline versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 24 mpg combined, 2 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 32 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2016 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 Hybrid AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 34 | 30 | 32 | Regular · 275 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 LE/XLE | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 338 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 25 | Regular · 349 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 25 | Regular · 357 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 Limited AWD/SE AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 363 g CO₂/mi |
2017 Toyota RAV4 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (24 mpg combined) comes to about $2,720 a year, $210 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2017 Toyota RAV4 specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2017 Toyota RAV4: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmissions, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 2.5 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2017 Toyota RAV4 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 321 owner complaints about the 2017 Toyota RAV4.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (25% of component mentions), followed by service brakes (9%) and engine (7%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 32 complaints a year: more than the 2016 (23 a year) and fewer than the 2018 (38 a year).
That ranks 8th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 321, 34 mention a crash, 24 a fire and 24 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 112 | 25% |
| Unknown or other | 64 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 40 | 9% |
| Engine | 32 | 7% |
| Exterior lighting | 32 | 7% |
| Structure | 21 | 5% |
| Air bags | 20 | 5% |
| Power train | 16 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 3% |
| Steering | 13 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 12 | 3% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 2% |
| Wheels | 9 | 2% |
| Suspension | 6 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1% |
| Seats | 4 | <1% |
| Tires | 4 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | <1% |
| Padding insert | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Toyota ABS Actuator Accumulator shows problems after a while. Most common on hybrid vehicles. Signs comes up such ABS Malfunction, Pre-Collision Malfunction, Low Braking Power, and lose traction control.
I was pulling into a parking spot in a parking garage and pressed on the brake. The brake pedal did not offer the usual resistance and went flat to the floor. …
Yesterday March 25th 2026 I went to work and parked my 2017 Toyota RAV4 and about 30minutes later it was on fire in the parking lot. …
2017 Toyota RAV4 recalls
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has been the subject of 3 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 23V734000 from November 2023, concerns electrical system.
17V295000 · May 2, 2017 · Tires
Problem: The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | RAV4 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V734000 | November 1, 2023 | Electrical system | 2013–2018 |
| 19V503000 | June 28, 2019 | Equipment | 2017–2019 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2017 Toyota RAV4; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hybrid SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota RAV4s can be compared fairly. Among other 2017 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2017 Ford Escape (26 mpg), 2017 Chevy Equinox (25 mpg) and 2017 Mazda CX-5 (27 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 | 197 | 15 | 4 |
| 2015 | 26 | 305 | 25 | 4 |
| 2016 | 32 | 257 | 23 | 3 |
| 2017 | 32 | 321 | 32 | 3 |
| 2018 | 32 | 348 | 38 | 3 |
| 2019 | 40 | 905 | 112 | 8 |
| 2020 | 40 | 649 | 92 | 6 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2017 models
FAQ
Is the 2017 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has 32 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (8th most of 17 model years), 3 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 32 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2017 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (112), service brakes (40) and engine (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2017 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 24–26 mpg combined (22–23 city, 28–30 highway). The hybrid version reaches up to 32 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 RAV4 per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,720 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).