2014 Toyota RAV4 XLE Review
The Top-Selling Trim of a Top-Selling Crossover
Overview
Coming fully-equipped with well-deserved bragging rights, it doesn’t take long to see why the Toyota RAV4 is one of the top-selling compact crossovers worldwide. The 2014 Toyota RAV4 keeps the reputation going with tasteful styling inside and out. The XLE is the most popular trim level and it offers a ton of options for the price. You have to give respect to the RAV4 for leading innovation and being the first compact crossover that started this hugely popular vehicle segment.
When you opt for the XLE trim level, the RAV4 comes equipped with soft cloth seats with bolstering and French stitching detail, dual-zone climate control, moonroof with sunshade, power heated mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome accents, color block interior, roof rails and fog lights.
While AWD is offered in the RAV4, this vehicle is not particularly built for off-roading. Sitting low to the ground, the RAV4 offers very little ground clearance at only 6.3 inches, but that is ok, the RAV4 is truly built for on-road performance and it can handle all-weather conditions like a champ.
New for 2014
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 was completely redesigned so the 2014 model carries over without any significant changes. For 2013, there was an addition of a traditional lift gate, a 6-speed automatic transmission and now there is only one available engine option. All of changes were carried over to the 2014 model.
Interior/Exterior Features
Sexy and smart is one way you could sum up the 2014 RAV4 XLE. The RAV4 is attractive both inside and out and the outstanding fuel economy paired with the competitive pricing, make this a hard crossover to miss. The exterior of the RAV4 is bold and screams practicality and family-adventure time! The XLE offers more features such as roof rails, moonroof, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors with turn signal indicators and Available Entune Premium Audio with navigation and App Suite.
The 2014 Toyota RAV4 interior features many upgraded materials and the RAV4 gives you the feeling of a high quality vehicle. The XLE trim offers unique and tasteful styling by using strong color patterns in an aesthetically pleasing color blocking scheme. The backseat is very spacious and it reclines; however, the second row seat no longer slides and is a little firm for long car trips. For 2014, there is no longer the option of a third row seat, but consumers don’t seem to care because not many people opted for it anyways. The backseat is very spacious and it reclines; however, the second row seat no longer slides and is a little firm for long car trips.
Performance/Drivetrain Features
Looking under the hood of the 2014 RAV4 XLE, you will find a 2.5-liter I-4 engine that produces 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet torque that is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is powerful and efficient, the EPA rating is 22/31 mpg which is extremely competitive for this segment. When revving the engine, you may notice it might be a little louder than some of the other engines from other rivals.
One complaint many people have about the 2014 Toyota RAV4 is the fact that the V-6 engine option has not been offered since the 2012 model. It is a shame if you ask me, because it offered more power and still delivered excellent fuel economy ratings.
Safety/Mechanical Features
The rearview camera is standard, which is a major plus in my book, and I wish all SUV/CUV manufacturers would follow the same trend. All models come with 8 standard airbags and the upper-trim levels will come equipped with cross-traffic alerts and blind spot monitors. Over the years the RAV4 has won many top safety awards, and the engineers at Toyota keeps safety a top priority.
There is now a Sport mode that electromagnetically sends torque to the rear wheels when slip is detected to offer better handling. This mode also gives you heavier steeling and a sense of greater control of the vehicle. When the road ahead is at its worse, have no fear in the RAV4 with the Lock feature, you can achieve the best possible traction allowing you to plow right through even the worse weather conditions.
What’s it like to Drive?
Low to the ground and rather car-like, the RAV4 drives very well, it’s very responsive and the steering is well-weighted. This car handles well on the pavement and not to sound cliché, but it truly hugs the curves. While the front-wheel drive does great in most weather conditions, many are going to opt for the $1400 all-wheel drive option which makes the 2014 RAV4 capable of taking on any weather situation with ease.
While snow and ice may not be an issue for the RAV4, I wouldn’t plan on any serious off-roading. A basic trail at your favorite camping destination I am sure would be nothing the RAV4 couldn’t handle. When you consider its low ground clearance, you probably wouldn’t want to take it up and down steep hills and really muddy terrains.
Overall, Toyota has had major success with the RAV4 because it’s fun, stylish, and practical. Let’s face it, in this day and age, it’s all about the savings and the RAV4 nails it with class-leading fuel economy ratings and a price that is hard to beat!
Specifications
The Top-Selling Trim of a Top-Selling Crossover
Overview
Coming fully-equipped with well-deserved bragging rights, it doesn’t take long to see why the Toyota RAV4 is one of the top-selling compact crossovers worldwide. The 2014 Toyota RAV4 keeps the reputation going with tasteful styling inside and out. The XLE is the most popular trim level and it offers a ton of options for the price. You have to give respect to the RAV4 for leading innovation and being the first compact crossover that started this hugely popular vehicle segment.
When you opt for the XLE trim level, the RAV4 comes equipped with soft cloth seats with bolstering and French stitching detail, dual-zone climate control, moonroof with sunshade, power heated mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome accents, color block interior, roof rails and fog lights.
While AWD is offered in the RAV4, this vehicle is not particularly built for off-roading. Sitting low to the ground, the RAV4 offers very little ground clearance at only 6.3 inches, but that is ok, the RAV4 is truly built for on-road performance and it can handle all-weather conditions like a champ.
New for 2014
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 was completely redesigned so the 2014 model carries over without any significant changes. For 2013, there was an addition of a traditional lift gate, a 6-speed automatic transmission and now there is only one available engine option. All of changes were carried over to the 2014 model.
Interior/Exterior Features
Sexy and smart is one way you could sum up the 2014 RAV4 XLE. The RAV4 is attractive both inside and out and the outstanding fuel economy paired with the competitive pricing, make this a hard crossover to miss. The exterior of the RAV4 is bold and screams practicality and family-adventure time! The XLE offers more features such as roof rails, moonroof, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors with turn signal indicators and Available Entune Premium Audio with navigation and App Suite.
The 2014 Toyota RAV4 interior features many upgraded materials and the RAV4 gives you the feeling of a high quality vehicle. The XLE trim offers unique and tasteful styling by using strong color patterns in an aesthetically pleasing color blocking scheme. The backseat is very spacious and it reclines; however, the second row seat no longer slides and is a little firm for long car trips. For 2014, there is no longer the option of a third row seat, but consumers don’t seem to care because not many people opted for it anyways. The backseat is very spacious and it reclines; however, the second row seat no longer slides and is a little firm for long car trips.
Performance/Drivetrain Features
Looking under the hood of the 2014 RAV4 XLE, you will find a 2.5-liter I-4 engine that produces 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet torque that is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is powerful and efficient, the EPA rating is 22/31 mpg which is extremely competitive for this segment. When revving the engine, you may notice it might be a little louder than some of the other engines from other rivals.
One complaint many people have about the 2014 Toyota RAV4 is the fact that the V-6 engine option has not been offered since the 2012 model. It is a shame if you ask me, because it offered more power and still delivered excellent fuel economy ratings.
Safety/Mechanical Features
The rearview camera is standard, which is a major plus in my book, and I wish all SUV/CUV manufacturers would follow the same trend. All models come with 8 standard airbags and the upper-trim levels will come equipped with cross-traffic alerts and blind spot monitors. Over the years the RAV4 has won many top safety awards, and the engineers at Toyota keeps safety a top priority.
There is now a Sport mode that electromagnetically sends torque to the rear wheels when slip is detected to offer better handling. This mode also gives you heavier steeling and a sense of greater control of the vehicle. When the road ahead is at its worse, have no fear in the RAV4 with the Lock feature, you can achieve the best possible traction allowing you to plow right through even the worse weather conditions.
What’s it like to Drive?
Low to the ground and rather car-like, the RAV4 drives very well, it’s very responsive and the steering is well-weighted. This car handles well on the pavement and not to sound cliché, but it truly hugs the curves. While the front-wheel drive does great in most weather conditions, many are going to opt for the $1400 all-wheel drive option which makes the 2014 RAV4 capable of taking on any weather situation with ease.
While snow and ice may not be an issue for the RAV4, I wouldn’t plan on any serious off-roading. A basic trail at your favorite camping destination I am sure would be nothing the RAV4 couldn’t handle. When you consider its low ground clearance, you probably wouldn’t want to take it up and down steep hills and really muddy terrains.
Overall, Toyota has had major success with the RAV4 because it’s fun, stylish, and practical. Let’s face it, in this day and age, it’s all about the savings and the RAV4 nails it with class-leading fuel economy ratings and a price that is hard to beat!
Specifications
- Starting Price: $28,320
- Engine Options: 2.5-liter I-4 176 horsepower
- Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
- Trim Levels: Limited
- Transmission Options: 6-speed automatic with OD
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
- Seating: 5 passengers
- Warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles