2018 Toyota RAV4 Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

Published December 31, 2023
in Car Comparisons

The Toyota RAV4 is easily one of the top crossover competitors on the market, offering some of the best safety features in its class. There are some excellent features anyone can love in the 2018 RAV4 - but there are some things to avoid. It’s helpful to understand the significant 2018 Toyota RAV4 pros and cons before investing.

If you’re interested in learning more about the pros and cons of the 2018 Toyota RAV4, you’re in the right place. The more you know about this vehicle, the easier to determine if it’s the right choice for your life. Read on to learn a few things we love about the 2018 Toyota RAV4 - and some items we aren’t as fond of in the machine.

What We Love: 2018 Toyota RAV4 Pros

There are several items we love in the 2018 Toyota RAV4 pros and cons, from the cabin room to the towing capacity. Let’s dive into some of the best aspects of this vehicle.

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Plenty of Cabin Room

No matter which version of the 2018 RAV4 you purchase, you’ll get ample room in the cabin for everyone to stretch out and relax. The driver and passenger in the front get the most room, but those who are relegated to the rear of the vehicle also have enough space to sit comfortably on even the longest road trips.

According to carmax.com, the front riders get 39.8 inches of headroom and 42.6 inches of legroom. Those in the back of the car get 38.9 inches of headroom in the backseats and 37.2 inches of legroom. These numbers aren’t too far off from each other, which is great news for a full car.

Optional Hybrid

If you want to get the most mileage for your money, there is an optional hybrid powertrain addition for the 2018 Toyota RAV4. This hybrid engine system offers a 2.5-liter inline-four motor, combined with a CVT and three electric motors for a staggering amount of power for this system.

In the hybrid powertrain, you will find up to 194 horsepower. This number is incredible for a hybrid powertrain and even comes with a standard all-wheel drive to ensure you and your riders are as comfortable and safe as possible.

Solid Towing Capacity

Although the 2018 Toyota RAV4 doesn’t have the towing capacity of something like a heavy-duty truck, it can still handle a decent amount. The maximum towing capacity for the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is 1,500 pounds on the trims that cost slightly more and have all-wheel drive.

This number isn’t astounding, but it is about average for these vehicles. It opens up plenty of freedom for going on exciting trips and carrying even more in the rear of the 2018 Toyota RAV4.

Available Heated and Power Front Seats on Low Trims

Finally, we love that there are available heated and power front seats on lower trims than other vehicles. Most manufacturers don’t consider excellent add-ons for the trims that cost less money - the Toyota RAV4 takes that to another level.

You can even get the heated and powered front seats on the cloth-based trims. Also, in some cases, there is an optional heated steering wheel.

HOW LONG DO TOYOTA RAV4s LAST?

It’s a compact crossover SUV, excellent for those who want something that will look good in the city or on a dirt road. How long do Toyota RAV4s last on the road?

What We Dislike: 2018 Toyota RAV4 Cons

Unfortunately, issues like low-quality materials can make for problematic moments in the 2018 Toyota RAV4. Let’s jump into the worst of the 2018 Toyota RAV4 pros and cons.

Rough in the Handling Department

Unfortunately, the 2018 RAV4 can be rough in the area of handling. It isn’t very fun to drive and those who are particular about the quality of their driving will find themselves struggling with this area of the vehicle.

If you invest in the SE trim, you will get a base with a little more adaptation for the roughness of the highway. However, it’s still noticeably far worse than in other machines. It will be terrifying to drive the 2018 Toyota RAV4 around sharp corners and there will be some significant roll in the machine.

Low-Quality Materials

The creators of the 2018 Toyota RAV4 also chose to use materials that are of lower quality than many of their competitors. Not only do they look cheaper than other vehicles, but they also feel cheaper - and are far more prone to wear and tear as time goes on. They might need some expensive repairs sooner than other vehicles.

If you get a new Toyota RAV4 from 2018, you will also unfortunately find some plastic pieces inside. This choice on the part of Toyota means you seem to get less interior value than the vehicle costs - which can be frustrating for those who want to get the best possible deal.

Non-Plug-In Hybrid

Finally, we love that the 2018 Toyota RAV4 has an optional hybrid option - however, it isn’t a plug-in selection. This lack of features doesn’t make the hybrid worse, but it does reduce the potential you have for going long distances before a fill-up. A plug-in hybrid is ideal.

If Toyota redesigns its hybrid, we hope they make it a plug-in option. This ability will help you go far more miles than without the plug-in, as the current market stands for the 2018 Toyota RAV4. Consider this if you’re trying to get the best possible mileage from a hybrid.

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Final Thoughts

There are many 2018 Toyota RAV4 pros and cons to consider. The car has plenty of cabin room, an optional hybrid powertrain, solid towing capacity, and available heated and power front seats in lower trims. However, it can also be problematic in the handling department, has low-quality materials, and is a non-plug-in hybrid.

We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about the best and worst parts of the 2018 Toyota RAV4, the easier it will be to determine if it’s best for you. Some might adore the 2018 RAV4’s pros, while the cons might be too much to overcome for others interested in a new vehicle.

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