Used 2021 Toyota RAV4 for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Toyota RAV4 Trims in Chicago, IL

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

• Starting at $18,297
• Best MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Most Popular: LE 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: $18,297 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 115 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE FWD listings

XLE FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE FWD is ideal for those seeking a well-rounded SUV with added comfort features without a significant price jump.

• Avg. market price: $21,448 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 146 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 paying a premium. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $22,982 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 304 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE AWD listings

XLE AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE AWD is perfect for buyers looking for a balance of features and performance in an all-wheel drive SUV.

• Avg. market price: $23,285 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 227 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE AWD listings

XLE Premium FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium FWD caters to those who desire a more luxurious experience without the AWD price tag.

• Avg. market price: $28,805 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 48 listings
• View XLE Premium FWD listings

XLE Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium AWD is for shoppers wanting a sporty feel with luxury features and all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $28,242 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 139 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE Premium AWD listings

Adventure AWD — "Who It's For"

The Adventure AWD is designed for those who want a rugged SUV with advanced tech features for outdoor adventures.

• Avg. market price: $24,687 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 40 listings
• View Adventure AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the choice for buyers seeking a fully loaded SUV with luxury features and advanced safety technology.

• Avg. market price: $30,506 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 110 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LE AWD

With 304 active listings, the LE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — LE FWD

At $18,297 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,986 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LE FWD

The LE FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 28 MPG city / 35 MPG highway.

Browse LE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 cost?

Prices have softened 1.10% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,077 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota RAV4 earns a 4.4/5 user rating and a 7.3/10 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, along with its spacious interior and safety features. The review summary also points to good handling and value for money, which helps explain its broad appeal.

The main trade-offs are its fairly pedestrian performance and sluggish touchscreen response. In practical terms, that means you get a useful, easy-to-live-with compact crossover rather than a particularly engaging one.

For shoppers who want a compact crossover with everyday practicality and broad appeal, the RAV4 fits that brief well. It also shows 38.7% good or great deals in the market, which suggests there are worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The review summary highlights reliability, and it also points to comfort and fuel efficiency as part of the ownership appeal. The expert evaluation reinforces that with Toyota’s reputation for reliability and a solid showing in the categories that matter most to used buyers.

The powertrain is described as efficient and durable-feeling, and the cabin is presented as quiet and easy to live with on the highway. ToyotaCare also includes two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, which helps early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright dependability and more about finding a well-kept example with the right equipment and condition.

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

At 74% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of bodywork, panel alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because the market includes a meaningful number of accident-involved listings, condition matters as much as mileage and price.

Pay extra attention to the infotainment system and interior controls, since the review notes sluggish touchscreen response and small display controls. If you’re comparing trims, make sure the equipment level matches what you expect for the price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Lower trims get a 7-inch touchscreen and a simpler equipment set, while Limited models add an 8-inch screen; the TRD Off-Road adds rugged styling touches, all-terrain tires, and a front skid plate.
• Powertrain: The gasoline model uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 203 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic, and standard FWD or optional AWD.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 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. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM are standard.
• Fuel efficiency: Most gasoline models are rated at 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with FWD, or 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with AWD. The TRD Off-Road is rated at 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

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 entry point, so it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the RAV4 lineup and are comfortable with the simpler standard equipment.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds useful everyday equipment without pushing you into the pricier upper end of the range.
• XLE Premium: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel than the XLE and are willing to pay for extra comfort and appearance upgrades.
• Limited: This is the right pick if you want the most polished mainstream RAV4 experience, including the larger 8-inch touchscreen and more available convenience features.
• Adventure: Pick this if you want the more rugged styling and off-road-leaning character without going all the way to the TRD Off-Road.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the most specialized choice, with model-specific suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and a skid plate for buyers who want the toughest-looking gasoline RAV4.

Higher trims also bring added safety equipment such as 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 have room to shop, but the best listings still deserve quick attention.

• Deal availability: 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,077 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.10% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,433, 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 $24,487 sits slightly below last year's $24,758.

That modest decline suggests the market has softened a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than on broad market appreciation.

The RAV4’s strong reputation for reliability and broad shopper appeal should help support demand over time. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment are likely to remain easier to move than neglected ones.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.4/5, 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 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.

The main caveat is that the RAV4 missed the higher Top Safety Pick+ designation because of mixed headlight scores, with some trim-level headlights rated Marginal or Poor.

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:

• 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.10% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds the RAV4 Prime to the lineup and brings a new XLE Premium trim for the hybrid.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,201, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,487 average.
• It offers broad versatility with sporty, luxurious, and rugged versions.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,882, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,487 average.
• It adds a more mature feel with a roomy interior and efficient powertrains.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right default if you want the current-generation RAV4 with strong safety, broad availability, and a softer price than last year. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is worth considering if you want to spend more for a slightly newer model-year alternative.

How does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 compare to the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota RAV4:

• Pros: Quiet cabin, Plenty of cargo space, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Sluggish touchscreen response.

2021 Honda CR-V:

• Pros: Plenty of cargo space, Standard advanced safety features, Excellent value for money.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Fairly pedestrian performance.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota RAV4 7.3/10 and the 2021 Honda CR-V 7.8/10. The RAV4 leans harder into rugged styling and safety, while the CR-V edges ahead on overall expert score and value. Both offer plenty of cargo space and fairly pedestrian performance, so your choice comes down to whether you prefer the RAV4’s stronger safety reputation or the CR-V’s better value proposition.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.