The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was the first car I ever purchased, and it’s been with me through everything. My RAV4 has been the perfect mix of performance, features and value, making it more than just a car – it’s been my reliable travel companion.
Growing up, my dad swore by his Ford F-150. Ford has always been the gold standard in our household and while I’ll admit the F-150 is a solid truck, the RAV4 won me over.
It’s the right size for my needs and doesn’t guzzle gas like a truck. It may not have the raw power of other sporty cars, but for all of my commuting, road-tripping and braving icy roads, the RAV4 has been the better fit. The 2020 RAV4 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine pushing out 203 horsepower. It’s not the sportiest ride out there, but it’s got plenty of power for daily driving and the occasional adventure.
The AWD system is a lifesaver in bad weather and keeps me confident on slick roads. Plus, the 8-speed automatic transmission makes for smooth shifts, and the handling is just the right balance of comfort and control.
One of the biggest perks is the fuel efficiency.
The RAV4 gets an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, making it a budget-friendly option for a student like me. Gas prices can be brutal, so not filling up constantly is a win-win. Inside it comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that can connect to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Amazon Alexa making it easy to jam out.
One of my favorite things about the RAV4 is the cargo space. With the rear seats folded down, it offers a whopping 69.8 cubic feet of storage – plenty of room for textbooks, sports gear, luggage or even a bike. With generous legroom road trips with friends don’t feel cramped.
That said, I do wish Toyota had thrown in a couple of extra. Heated seats are a must for me and a remote start would’ve been nice (especially in Nebraska winters) without having to pay more.
Overall my RAV4 has been a trooper. It’s taken me on countless road trips and even made it up into the Rocky Mountains. In nearly five years, it’s never given me trouble beyond regular maintenance and maybe an accident or two (oops).
Safety-wise, the RAV4 delivers peace of mind. It comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, lane-keeping assist and pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Knowing I have these features backing me up makes a huge difference. Plus, with high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, I know I’m driving something reliable.
At the end of the day, Ford may have been the best car brand in my family for years, but the RAV4 changed that for me. It’s practical, reliable and checks all the right boxes.
Sorry, Dad. Toyota wins this round.
