Used 2021 Toyota RAV4 for Sale near California

Compare 2021 Toyota RAV4 Trims

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to sportier models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $21,976
• Best MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Most Popular: XLE AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

LE FWD — "Who It's For"

The LE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $21,976 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 2,141 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE FWD listings

XLE FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with added features without a significant price jump.

• Avg. market price: $22,938 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 3,717 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE FWD listings

LE AWD — "Who It's For"

The LE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $24,757 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 3,544 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE AWD listings

XLE AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with all-wheel drive and popular features.

• Avg. market price: $26,516 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 5,410 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE AWD listings

XLE Premium FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a more luxurious experience without the AWD price tag.

• Avg. market price: $25,803 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 1,645 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE Premium FWD listings

XLE Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features combined with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $27,481 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,599 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE Premium AWD listings

Adventure AWD — "Who It's For"

The Adventure AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a rugged SUV with versatile features for outdoor activities.

• Avg. market price: $25,621 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 663 listings
• View Adventure AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with luxury features and all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $31,480 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,313 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLE AWD

With 5,410 active listings, the XLE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — LE FWD

At $21,976 avg market price — below the lineup median of $25,712 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LE FWD

The LE FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 28/35 MPG/MPGe.

Browse LE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 cost?

Prices have softened 1.36% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,166 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota RAV4 earns a 4.43/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency, and they also highlight the spacious interior, safety features, and good handling. In practical terms, that makes it a strong fit if you want a mainstream compact crossover that emphasizes everyday usefulness over flash.

The trade-offs are fairly clear: the ride is not especially engaging, and the touchscreen response can feel sluggish. Even so, the RAV4’s broad appeal and family-friendly layout make it easy to recommend if you value practicality and confidence more than driving excitement.

Good and great deals account for 36.8% of listings, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.43/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback repeatedly points to reliability, dependability, and trouble-free ownership, along with comfort and efficiency. That lines up with the expert view that Toyota’s reputation for reliability is a major part of the RAV4’s appeal, and the gasoline model’s straightforward 2.5-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic should be familiar, low-drama hardware for most buyers.

ToyotaCare also includes two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance for new-car buyers, which is a nice ownership perk. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is simply finding a well-kept example, since neglected maintenance and heavy use can erase the RAV4’s durability advantage.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the cabin electronics, touchscreen behavior, tires, brakes, and any signs of uneven wear or prior bodywork. Focus on overall condition and maintenance records, since those matter more than mileage alone on a mainstream crossover like this.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gasoline RAV4 lineup includes LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road. Lower trims are the most basic, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience equipment; the TRD Off-Road stands out with rugged styling touches, model-specific suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and a front skid plate.
• Powertrain: The gasoline model uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available, and the engine is tuned more for efficiency and everyday use than for quick acceleration.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard and includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.
• Infotainment: Most trims get a 7-inch touchscreen, while Limited gets an 8-inch screen. Standard smartphone integration includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless connectivity is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: Most gasoline models are rated at 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. The LE with AWD is rated at 30 mpg combined, while the TRD Off-Road is rated at 28 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota RAV4 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is offered in 6 trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road.

Here's the short version:

• LE: This is the value-focused starting point, and it gives you the core RAV4 experience with standard safety tech, smartphone integration, and the efficient 2.5-liter engine. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest entry price and can live without extra comfort features.
• XLE: This is the trim to target if you want a better balance of equipment and price. It builds on the LE with more everyday convenience, and it should be the best-value choice for many shoppers who want a little more comfort without moving too far up the price ladder.
• XLE Premium: This trim adds a more upscale feel and is a smart step up if you want more polish without jumping all the way to the top. It suits you if comfort and appearance matter, but you still want to stay within the mainstream side of the lineup.
• Limited: This is the most comfort- and convenience-oriented trim, with the larger 8-inch touchscreen and the most premium presentation in the gasoline lineup. It fits you best if you want the most fully equipped non-hybrid RAV4.
• Adventure: This trim leans into the RAV4’s rugged styling and adds a more outdoorsy look and feel. It’s a good match if you like the tougher appearance and want a little more visual distinction.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the most specialized trim, with model-specific suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, a front skid plate, and a more rugged setup overall. Choose it if you want the most off-pavement-oriented gasoline RAV4.

Higher trims also bring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota RAV4?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,166 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.36% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,425, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota RAV4's resale value?

The current average of $24,632 sits slightly below last year's $24,972.

That modest decline suggests the market has softened a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may slightly temper what a future seller can expect. Even so, the RAV4’s broad appeal, strong reputation, and steady demand should help it hold value better than many mainstream crossovers. Well-kept examples with clean history and desirable equipment should remain easier to move when it’s your turn to sell.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.43/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 safe?

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and five-star overall ratings from NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal and rollover crash tests and five-star ratings in side crash tests.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard, and it includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist, while a 360-degree camera is available on certain option packages.

The main caveat is that the RAV4 missed the higher Top Safety Pick+ award because some headlights scored poorly on certain trims.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota RAV4 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.36% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.43/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds the TRD Off-Road and XLE Premium updates while keeping the current-generation RAV4 formula intact.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,356, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,632 average.
• It offers a broad mix of practical configurations and remains easy to understand.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,242, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,632 average.
• It brings a more mature, polished feel with a roomy, flexible interior.

The bottom line: the 2021 is the sweet spot if you want the current-generation RAV4 with strong safety, broad trim choice, and a softer used-market price than newer examples. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is worth a look; if you want to spend more for a slightly newer model-year experience, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.