POV Test Drive of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE (with binaural sound)

Come along for a POV test drive in the 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE two wheel drive. Use those headphones or airpods for realistic sound from inside the car. Does the Rav4 deserve to be the best selling passenger car in the United States? Even in its lowest trim, is the RAV4 worthy of the sales magic?

The RAV4 leads the class because it really does nothing wrong and has no major flaws. The loud and raucous 2.5 4 cylinder almost brings it down, but it is plenty powerful and will last forever. The hybrid though is so much better in every way unless you need the more traditional four wheel drive of the top trims. Either way, any trim and any version of the RAV4 is pretty much a no stress no worry purchase.

If you enjoy real reviews and not the typical marketing blab youtube is crowded with, please consider following Beyond the Test Drive.

00:00 Acceleration
00:41 Introduction and Interior
04:15 Exterior
04:45 Cargo and Back Seat
06:05 Passenger Seat
06:40 Engine Compartment
07:50 Features and Driving Impressions
11:15 Highway Driving
13:30 Mountain Twisty Driving
16:28 Final Thoughts

#carreviews #POVtestdrive #toyotarav4

[SwordsCutEmDown]

As the owner of a 2021 RAV4 XLE gas model I must say that this is one of the best and fairest reviews that has been on YouTube since the 5th generation came out in 2019. Personally I love the sound of that raucous Dynamic Force engine as it revs up through the gears.

[RobOutdoors]

Bought a 2019 Rav4 XLE for my wife. The engine noise doesn’t bother me at all, and my wife hasn’t had any complaints. Love the car

[gad]

“Engine is loud and raucous” - the noise only rises if accelerating. Personally, having driven a 5MT most of my life, I like to hear the engine at acceleration. You know what it’s doing. Doesn’t bother me a bit. In fact I find an engine that you can’t hear, bothersome.
Hey great review btw! Thanks!👍

[johnbentley]

Road trips in eco mode will get you roughly 32 mpg. City driving in eco mode will get you about 28 mpg.
The more expensive models come with an ice/snow drive setting. You know what we call it on the LE?
If you guessed "eco mode" you'd be right.
Hard to break traction when you tell the transmission to drive like grandma.
"Why would I get the LE when the XLE is only a few thousand more?"
Because some of those auto features get switched off. Some of us don't want a sun roof. The blindspot mirror lights bother some people. You can add fog lights to the LE, they give you an extra spot for the dash switch to go in.
"But it doesn't have power seats."
Neither did my 2005 model.
"But it doesn't have push start."
Neither did my 2005 model.
The LE has automatic high beams and that's already NASA to me, so I feel like it's really more of a preference whether you want the LE or XLE.
You're getting a Toyota either way.

Forgot to mention too about the lane assist feature. There's a camera behind your rear view mirror. What it does is track the lines on the road and find the center. It is an assist* feature, not an autopilot. It does not steer well on sharp turns and the bobbing left to right is caused by wind. It's trying to correct itself, but it can't read the oncoming wind, it's reading your input to the steering wheel.

[Gary]

Great review. I'm very satisfied with my 2022 Rav LE AWD. Personally I'd rather be mildly disappointed with a few minor issues paying 29K than being very disappointed with something while paying 44K.
I love the key ignition with no expensive battery to fail in a couple yrs like with the push button, or the car theft issues.
Just wish it had the old hand or foot E brake and No eng stop/start on the AWD. Otherwise it's a great value and reliable vehicle.

[evoemperor]

I love base model cars tho all you need nothing you don't.

[baldheadlogic]

Great Review. Glad to hear that the drive has improved. I am trying to decide between the Hybrid Rav4 and Venza once the chip shortage stuff gets better.

[jskaggs]

While Toyota could have made it quieter, I don’t drive around with the accelerator nailed to the floor so the noisey engine isn’t the big deal reviewers complain about. I like the sound when I do get on it.

[Tom-ejbb]

Well done!! Sick of those ones where they sit at the info system of 20 TY

[etivactv]

cool reviews. i got the Rav4 Le 2021 and its amazing but i’m thinking for the higher trim level.

[mikeogden]

I got the AWD and put on BFGKO2s and it’s Amazing

[ofcbob]

"auto close or shutting" on the tailgate? I believe you can just say it doesn't have a power tailgate on this base model.

[abbyhunker]

I have 21 RAV4 le in the red color I’m surprised it’s drives really well it’s my first Toyota! It has more space than the Buick encore that I had before

[tuxipops]

How it well it handles bumps in the road when driving country side / mountain roads ?

[darronreal]

Has good brakes, but that squirrel hates those brakes.

[teambenjamin]

Nice review! Funny thing though, as a mechanic, this is the second review of a vehicle where a reviewer has referred to a fuel injected, non turbo engine as “naturally aspirated”. Naturally aspirated engines are carbureted. I know you really mean non turbo, but it just bugs me and sounds uneducated. I know I sound like a grumpy old man. Lol!

[mikeogden]

I do not mind My RAV4s sounds at all…. Matter of fact it’s just enough to keep Me from having performance exhaust installed

[menguardingtheirownwallets]

Push-button start = easier for thieves to steal your RAV4, but with a key it is much harder to steal so I'd rather have the LE with a key and avoid waking up to find my RAV4 stolen.

[middler]

Is it louder or quieter than a third gen Prius? Or a Subaru Crosstreck?

[chrispatel]

This car super fast better than ford explore junk.