2021 Toyota RAV4 MPG
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 gets 25–28 mpg in the city and 32–35 on the highway (28–30 combined), across the 6 gasoline versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 30 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 28 mpg combined. The EPA also rated hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, the best at 40 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2020 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 Hybrid AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 41 | 38 | 40 | Regular · 223 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 Prime 4WD | 2.5 L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 40 | 36 | 38 | Regular Gas and Electricity · 72 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | Regular · 296 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 30 | Regular · 290 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD LE | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 34 | 30 | Regular · 296 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 33 | 29 | Regular · 301 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular · 316 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular · 323 g CO₂/mi |
2021 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 2021 Toyota RAV4 costs about $2,180 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (30 mpg combined), or roughly 15 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (28 mpg combined) comes to about $2,330 a year, $160 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.
2021 Toyota RAV4 specs
2021 Toyota RAV4 buyers could choose between 3 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl, 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid and 2.5 L 4-cyl plug-in 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 (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 6 |
| 2.5 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 2.5 L plug-in hybrid | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2021 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 510 complaints about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (12%) and engine (6%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 84 complaints a year: about as many as the 2020 (92 a year) and more than the 2022 (35 a year).
That ranks 3rd of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 510, 60 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 32 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 147 | 21% |
| Unknown or other | 99 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 86 | 12% |
| Engine | 44 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 39 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 38 | 5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 33 | 5% |
| Power train | 28 | 4% |
| Steering | 23 | 3% |
| Structure | 22 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 22 | 3% |
| Seats | 18 | 3% |
| Lane departure | 17 | 2% |
| Visibility | 13 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 1% |
| Tires | 8 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | <1% |
| Suspension | 6 | <1% |
| Wheels | 5 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Shell carry handle | 1 | <1% |
| Buckle chest clip | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle) tether | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact was traveling at approximately 50 MPH directly behind a van in the same lane of traffic. …
I have a faulty coolant bypass valve on my 2021 Toyota RAV4. …
My 2021 Toyota RAV4 began experiencing intermittent shuddering and vibration at low speeds around May 2026. The condition occurred while accelerating from a stop or at slow speeds and became more frequent over time. …
2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota RAV4.
The most recent, campaign 23V865000 from December 2023, concerns air bags.
Electrical system accounts for 2 of the 5 campaigns, more than any other area.
23V041000 · February 2, 2023 · Electrical system
Problem: During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge.
20V698000 · November 12, 2020 · Exterior lighting
Problem: The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | RAV4 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V865000 | December 20, 2023 | Air bags | 2020–2021 |
| 23V478000 | July 12, 2023 | Electrical system | 2021–2022 |
| 22V239000 | April 13, 2022 | Electronic stability control (esc) | 2021–2022 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2021 Toyota RAV4; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| HYBRID SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 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 2021 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2021 Ford Escape (30 mpg), 2021 Honda CR-V (30 mpg) and 2021 Subaru Forester (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 32 | 348 | 38 | 3 |
| 2019 | 40 | 905 | 112 | 8 |
| 2020 | 40 | 649 | 92 | 6 |
| 2021 | 40 | 510 | 84 | 5 |
| 2022 | 40 | 176 | 35 | 3 |
| 2023 | 40 | 236 | 58 | 3 |
| 2024 | 39 | 206 | 67 | 4 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2021 models
FAQ
Is the 2021 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has 84 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (3rd most of 17 model years), 5 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 40 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2021 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (147), electrical system (86) and engine (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2021 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 5 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 2021 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 28–30 mpg combined (25–28 city, 32–35 highway). The hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions reach up to 40 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 RAV4 per year?
About $2,180 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,330 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).