The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is a cutting-edge crossover SUV with a vastly improved interior from the 2019 model year, making it one of hottest vehicles on the Kings Toyota lot. As compact SUVs continue to define the current generation of drivers, the RAV4 leads the pack as the most popular passenger vehicle in America, coming in second only to full-size pickup trucks.
If you're in the market for a brand-new crossover that doesn't skimp on style or creature comforts, be sure to check out the 2020 RAV4. Not only does it pack a punch in terms of exterior style and performance, but the RAV4's interior design gives you everything you could want in a compact crossover, and then some.
Spacious Seating Options
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The 2020 RAV4 seats five comfortably and comes standard with durable cloth upholstery, making it a great option for families. Both the front and rear seats are thoughtfully designed to offer ample space for the daily commute as well as long road trips.
The base model LE comes standard with a six-way adjustable driver's seat and a four-way adjustable front-passenger seat. Stepping up to the XLE gets you embossed cloth seats and an eight-way power-adjustable front seat with lumbar support to help you better find your ideal driving position.
Although the RAV4's seats don't feature as much cushioning as you might expect, they offer plenty of bolstering and thigh support to reduce driver and passenger fatigue. If you're splurging on an upper trim like the Limited, Toyota's SofTex leatherette material feels as smooth and supple as the real deal, making it well worth the upgrade. You might even consider heated and perforated seats as part of an extra optional package.
As for the rear seats, passengers will discover plenty of foot and legroom as well as convenient front seatback pockets. You'll also love the rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports, which will help keep everyone in the car happy during those long drives.
Best-in-Class Outward Visibility and Safety
Even with its abundance of interior legroom, this crossover boasts a lower, car-like driving position that feels sportier than most crossover SUVs. Toyota doesn't compromise on outward visibility, however, because the RAV4 features improved sightlines thanks to side-mounted mirrors and large windows. There's even a 360-degree surround-view camera system with a rearview camera mirror, perimeter view capability, and multiple settings to ensure you always have the best view of the road.
In terms of safety, drivers will appreciate Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which is an innovative suite of safety features that comes standard on many new models, including the 2020 RAV4. This safety suite boasts a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control. Additionally, the onboard Star Safety System adds traction control, enhanced vehicle stability control, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, smart stop technology, and brake assist.
Every 2020 RAV4 also comes standard with eight airbags, including driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side airbags, a driver knee airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags. Additional safety measures include a LATCH system, rear child door locks, tire pressure monitoring, and a one-year free trial of Safety Connect with roadside assistance and automatic collision notification.
Updated Infotainment System
The base model RAV4 LE comes well equipped with a 7-inch touch screen, six speakers, AM/FM radio, a USB media port, hands-free phone connectivity, music streaming capability via Bluetooth, and advanced voice recognition. Every new model also offers a three-month all-access trial of SiriusXM radio.
Shortcut buttons are prominently displayed along the sides of the infotainment display for easy access to primary menus, and separate knobs for power and volume control are intuitively designed for use while driving with fewer distractions. However, you can also operate your infotainment system without your hands by using voice recognition.
The 2020 RAV4 finally gets Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay. If you're interested in making your car a Wi-Fi hotspot, Toyota has added that as well via a subscription service, rounding out this crossover's interior tech nicely.
If that's not enough, the TRD Off-Road trim boasts an upgraded infotainment system consisting of an 8-inch touch screen and extra USB charging ports. The XLE trims also get a few extra tweaks, including four additional USB ports.
Versatile Cargo Space
Don't let the fact that the RAV4 is a compact crossover fool you. This model offers an abundance of cargo space for its class, making it one of the best crossover SUVs you can buy.
Toyota has designed the 2020 RAV4 with 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. When the back seats are folded down, that figure jumps to 69.8 cubic feet. This cargo room is also low and wide, allowing you to load and unload heavy items with ease. You'll even find plenty of small-item storage throughout the cabin, including a center console with covered storage, a roomy glove compartment, and cup holders. In total, there are eight cup and bottle holders throughout the cabin.
If you choose to upgrade beyond the base RAV4, you get a rear cargo area cover or deckside-mounted storage net and an overhead console with map lights and sunglasses storage.
Towing Capabilities and Driving Dynamics
If you're hoping to use your RAV4 for some lightweight towing, the model's standard towing capacity is 1,500 pounds. Serious towing enthusiasts should consider upgrading to the TRD Off-Road for its 3,500-pound towing capacity.
Another reason to upgrade to the TRD Off-Road trim is its unexpected smooth ride. Since Toyota designed this trim with off-roading in mind, it offers an unbeatable driving dynamic for a drama-free commute around town, which is great if you live in an area prone to potholes. Even if you prefer the base model or other lower trims, the RAV4 provides a smooth, quality ride that's more enjoyable than any of its competitors.
There's a lot to love about the 2020 Toyota RAV4, but don't just take our word for it. Stop by Kings Toyota in Cincinnati to see this stylish crossover for yourself. Once you take it for a spin, you'll be sold.
