2018 Toyota RAV4 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2018 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. The thirstiest version uses the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 24 mpg combined. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 32 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2017 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 |
2018 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 2018 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.
2018 Toyota RAV4 specs
2018 Toyota RAV4 buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 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. The EPA classes it as a small sport utility vehicle.
| 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 |
2018 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 348 complaints about the 2018 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (29% of component mentions), followed by engine (7%) and service brakes (6%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 38 complaints a year: more than the 2017 (32 a year) and fewer than the 2019 (112 a year).
That ranks 6th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 348, 33 mention a crash, 33 a fire and 14 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 134 | 29% |
| Unknown or other | 74 | 16% |
| Engine | 33 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 6% |
| Power train | 28 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 23 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 19 | 4% |
| Air bags | 17 | 4% |
| Structure | 15 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 3% |
| Steering | 12 | 3% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 10 | 2% |
| Tires | 5 | 1% |
| Lane departure | 4 | <1% |
| Visibility | 4 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Suspension | 3 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Buckle chest clip | 1 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Firerelated | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Wheels | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
All warning lights came on and started flashing, steering wheel locked completely and total system failure. Car suddenly died and I had no control of it. Engine started smoking with black smoke. …
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while at a stop at a traffic light, the vehicle independently accelerated and rear-ended another vehicle. The engine revved during the acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed. …
I tried breaking and was on a hill with a small incline stopping behind a car as a pedestrian was crossing. When I pushed on the breaks lightly the car didn't break. …
2018 Toyota RAV4 recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Toyota RAV4.
The most recent, campaign 23V734000 from November 2023, concerns electrical system.
Equipment accounts for 2 of the 3 campaigns, more than any other area.
17V831000 · December 20, 2017 · Equipment
Problem: 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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, 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 2018 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 2018 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2018 Ford Escape (26 mpg), 2018 Subaru Forester (28 mpg) and 2018 Subaru Outback (28 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2021 | 40 | 510 | 84 | 5 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2018 models
FAQ
Is the 2018 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has 38 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (6th 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 2018 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (134), engine (33) and service brakes (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2018 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 2018 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 2018 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).