2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Road Test and Review

Toyota’s extensive lineup of SUVs and crossovers features six different models, including two hybrids and a plug-in hybrid. The RAV4, which is now in its fifth generation, is its best-seller. In fact, Toyota says it’s the best-selling non-pickup in the United States. Last year, the company introduced a redesigned version of the popular crossover with a rugged new look, and now the new 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road model backs up that brawny exterior design with some real capability.

TRD has been tuning the suspension of the Toyota Tacoma since 1997, and for off-road enthusiasts, the three letters are synonymous with extreme off-road performance. Toyota Racing Development isn’t the product of the marketing department, it’s the same engineers responsible for the automaker’s motorsports efforts, including its competition in off-road events like the Baja 500. This is the first time TRD has brought that off-road know-how to the all-wheel drive RAV4, which is now one of the most rugged and off-road capable crossovers in its class. The 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road competes with the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, the Subaru Forester, and the soon-to-be-released 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.

Built in Canada, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 is offered in a dizzying list of 10 trim levels. With a base price of $36,300, including $1,120 for delivery and handling, the TRD Off-Road is the second-most-expensive model behind the top of the line Limited Hybrid. Toyota’s 4WD 4Runner SR5, which is larger and offers superior capability off-road, starts at about $3,000 more.

To improve the RAV4’s performance in the dirt, TRD has retuned its suspension and added lighter, stronger 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels with Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires. It has also reengineered the all-wheel drive system. This is the only RAV4 with Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive, which can direct up to 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, as well as distribute torque to the left or right rear wheel to enhance handling on or off pavement.

Multi-Terrain Select, with Mud & Sand mode, Rock & Dirt mode, and Snow mode, is standard on the RAV4 TRD Off-Road, along with Hill Start Assist Control, Trailer Sway Control, and Downhill Assist Control. There isn’t a low range or locking differentials, which keeps this from being a hardcore off-roader, but that’s common for this class. Ground clearance is the same as you get in the RAV4 Adventure model, 8.6 inches, as is its 3,500-lb tow rating.

Every RAV4 TRD Off-Road is powered by the same 203-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder along with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a combination also used in most other RAV4 models. The engine is smooth and the transmission is tuned with precision. There’s plenty of power, but the crossover isn’t exactly quick. Floor the throttle from a dead stop and it hits 60 mph in about 8.0 seconds. The RAV4 Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are considerably quicker. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road also has a Sport mode, which allows its transmission to hold gears longer for more performance and you can shift it manually, but there aren’t any paddle shifters.

To help improve its fuel economy, the Toyota’s all-wheel drive system features a Rear Driveline Disconnect when AWD isn’t needed, such as on the highway. To test the system, we drove the crossover about 200 miles to some of our favorite dirt trails. On the highway with four people aboard, along with a 65-pound Flatcoat Retriever and some gear, it averaged 30.2 mpg. If we were really trying, we probably could have matched its EPA highway rating of 32 mpg.

In mixed driving, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road averaged 26.4 mpg, just shy of its 27 mpg EPA rating for combined driving conditions. Its city rating is 25 mpg. These are good numbers for this class. The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is rated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway, though it offers significantly more power. The Toyota’s four-cylinder also runs on less-expensive 87-octane regular-grade gas, which keeps its operating costs down.

Some off-road vehicles ride roughly on the pavement, but the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road is still more car than truck. It rides smoothly and is extremely comfortable on long drives, but it also feels sporty and fun to drive. It’s great for road trips. Its interior is quiet on the highway, and its driver’s seat is very supportive; you still feel fresh after a 500-mile day. We’ve complained about exhaust drone in some V6-powered TRD trucks, but the RAV4 doesn’t suffer from this problem.

Surprisingly its off-road tires don’t sabotage its handling around town. There’s still plenty of grip on paved roads, and a tight turning circle means it’s easy to park. Its suspension is well controlled and there isn’t an abundance of body roll or brake dive. The crossover feels small and agile from behind the wheel, its steering is quick and direct, and its brakes are extremely responsive.

After a few hours on the dirt roads and tight trails of the Alabama Hills way out on California’s Mojave desert, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road proved to be capable and easy to drive off-road, but it isn’t exactly hardcore. Its suspension soaks up washboard fire roads with ease, and its all wheel drive system and knobby tires provide impressive stability. The RAV4 is also small enough to fit down tight trails. But it doesn’t have the traction, the clearance, or the wheel travel necessary to conquer more challenging terrain.

Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select system, which allows you to tune the SUV’s four-wheel drive system for the terrain and conditions, does work as advertised. And its Downhill Assist Control, which is like off-road cruise control, helps maintain a constant speed in slow-speed descents. But the crossover’s lack of skidplates protecting its undercarriage and its shallow approach and departure angles hold it back. Eventually you come to an obstacle or a climb that forces you to turn around and head back the way you came.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 has a generous 105.9-inch wheelbase, which provides plenty of interior space but keeps the SUV nimble on the road and through narrow off-road trails. It seats five comfortably. A third row isn’t offered.

A Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2020 RAV4 has also received an overall safety rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Toyota Safety Sense is standard and adds systems like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and full-speed radar cruise control. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road also gets blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert. Optional safety features on our test car included a birds-eye-view camera and front and rear parking sensors with automated braking.

Much like its exterior, the design of the RAV4’s interior packs a rugged vibe. The layout of all the controls is simple, and the cabin is well constructed. All the knobs and switches function with precision. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy and the thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good in your hands. 

Standard features on the TRD Off-Road include a large 8-inch touchscreen, a power liftgate, and a sunroof. Our test car’s optional TRD Off-Road Weather Package added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. Other option packages added navigation, a premium sound system with 11 speakers, and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system is easy to use, and the Toyota’s air conditioning system proved strong enough to fight off 105-degree desert temperatures all day long.

Storage inside the Toyota’s interior is greatly abundant. The center console bin is deep, and there are large bins on each door with slots for water bottles. The well-placed front cupholders are also deep for that morning coffee, and there are extra shelves and cubbies all over the dashboard.

There’s also plenty of space behind RAV4’s backseat. There’s 37.5 cubic feet back there, and with the 50/50 split backseat folded flat, its cargo space more than doubles. The result is considerably more than you get in a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.

If you’re looking for an off-road capable crossover, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road is a solid overall choice. Roomy, family-friendly, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road isn’t the most rugged off-roader out there, but its abilities off the paved road are above average for its class. Those looking for an SUV with more extreme off-road capability at around the same price should check out the Toyota 4Runner and the ever-popular and capable Jeep Wrangler, though those vehicles do sacrifice some on-road comfort and refinement in exchange for their increased off-road capability and ground clearance.

With options, our 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road cost $42,507, which makes it a solid value when you consider its overall performance, features, safety, interior space, and solid reputation for reliability. The RAV4 is extremely popular, and the TRD Off-Road version is going to find a sizable audience looking for a bit more capability. It’s a crossover that’s not afraid to get dirty on the weekends.