Used 2021 Toyota RAV4 for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2021 Toyota RAV4 Trims in Columbia, SC

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $21,006
• Best MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Most Popular: XLE FWD

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 essential features without paying for extras. It's a great value option for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $24,222 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 161 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 stepping up to a premium trim. It's the most popular choice in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $21,006 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 259 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 a hefty price tag. It offers versatility for various driving conditions.

• Avg. market price: $22,990 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 151 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 balance of features and all-wheel drive capability. It adds comfort and convenience without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $22,169 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 200 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 going for the top-tier trim. It offers premium features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $28,081 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 99 listings
• 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. It’s a solid choice for those needing versatility and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $23,269 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 49 listings
• 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 advanced features for outdoor activities. It’s designed for those who seek adventure.

• Avg. market price: $23,269 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 45 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. It’s ideal for those who prioritize comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $23,269 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 68 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLE FWD

With 259 active listings, the XLE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — XLE FWD

At $21,006 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,269 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse XLE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LE FWD

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

Browse LE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 cost?

Prices have softened 1.44% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,112 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota RAV4 earns 4.43/5 from owners and 7.33/10 from our experts. 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, good handling, and value for money. In use, that lines up well with the RAV4’s practical, everyday mission as a family-friendly crossover.

The trade-offs are familiar: fairly pedestrian performance and sluggish touchscreen response. Even so, the RAV4’s broad appeal and useful packaging make it a strong fit if you want a sensible compact SUV rather than a sporty one.

With 37.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

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

Drivers repeatedly describe the RAV4 as reliable, and they also point to its dependable, trouble-free feel, along with strong comfort and efficiency. That owner feedback is reinforced by the expert impression of Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and the model’s solid all-around performance.

ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, which helps reduce early ownership friction. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about core durability 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?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, because accident-free status is only a starting point. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the infotainment response, tire wear, brake condition, and overall interior and exterior condition. If you’re comparing trims, focus on whether the features you want are standard on that specific version or only available higher up the range.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The RAV4’s rugged styling varies by trim, and the Adventure and TRD Off-Road add distinct exterior touches such as unique wheels, LED fog lights, dark gray trim, red interior accents, and a front skid plate. Lower trims are more straightforward, while higher trims add more upscale materials, though even the range-topping Limited does not get real leather.
• 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. You can choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the engine is tuned more for efficiency and everyday use than excitement.
• 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 models get an 8-inch screen. Standard smartphone integration includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless capability is not mentioned here.
• 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-oriented starting point, and it gives you the core RAV4 formula without pushing the price up. It’s the trim to consider if you want the basics done well and plan to add only the features you truly need.
• XLE: This is the trim most shoppers should cross-shop first because it sits in the sweet spot between price and equipment. It keeps the RAV4’s practical strengths while giving you a more balanced ownership experience than the base model.
• XLE Premium: This trim adds a more upscale feel without jumping all the way to the top of the range. It’s a good fit if you want a nicer cabin and are willing to pay for a more polished daily driver.
• Limited: This is the most comfort- and convenience-focused mainstream trim, and it gets the larger 8-inch touchscreen. Choose it if you want the most upscale non-specialty RAV4 experience.
• Adventure: This trim leans into the RAV4’s rugged styling and adds distinctive exterior and interior touches. It suits you if you want the tougher look and a bit more personality.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the most specialized gasoline trim, with model-specific suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and a skid plate. It’s the one to choose if you want the most off-pavement-oriented version of the 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, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough deal activity to find value.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,112 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.44% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.3% 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 $24,869 sits slightly below last year's $25,233.

That mild decline suggests the market has softened a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper short-term upside if you plan to resell soon. Still, the RAV4’s broad appeal and steady demand should help it remain relatively liquid compared with less popular compact SUVs.

Because the price range is still fairly tight, a well-kept example bought near the lower end should hold up better than one purchased at the top of the market. Strong owner satisfaction also supports future demand.

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, with Good scores in all crash tests and a Superior rating for front-crash prevention tech. It earns five-star ratings overall 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.

The main caveat is that the RAV4 missed the highest IIHS honor 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:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.44% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.43/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds the TRD Off-Road and broader trim mix while keeping strong safety and practical everyday usability.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,482, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,869 average.
• It offers a broad, practical lineup with useful tech and standard advanced safety.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,376, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,869 average.
• It brings a more mature, polished feel with roomy versatility and efficient powertrains.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and broad trim availability, the 2021 is the smart default. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want a newer-feeling alternative and can pay more, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.