Used 2021 Toyota RAV4 for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Compare 2021 Toyota RAV4 Trims in Raleigh, NC

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

• Starting at $21,071
• 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 a budget-friendly SUV without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $21,071 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 36 listings
• 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 comfort features without a significant price jump.

• Avg. market price: $23,480 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 56 listings
• 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.

• Avg. market price: $23,496 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 30 listings
• View LE AWD listings

XLE AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and all-wheel drive without going for the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $24,983 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 27 listings
• View XLE AWD listings

XLE Premium FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a touch of luxury and advanced features without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $26,018 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 24 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 and all-wheel drive for varied driving conditions.

• Avg. market price: $23,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View XLE Premium AWD listings

Adventure AWD — "Who It's For"

The Adventure AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with rugged capabilities for outdoor adventures.

• Avg. market price: $23,498 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• 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 advanced technology.

• Avg. market price: $23,325 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLE FWD

With 56 active listings, the XLE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LE FWD

At $21,071 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,497 — 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 November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 cost?

Prices have softened 1.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,111 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 4.4/5 from owners and 7.3/10 from our experts. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its reliability, comfort, fuel efficiency, spacious interior, and safety features. The expert review also points to a quiet cabin and plenty of cargo space, while noting that the RAV4’s everyday usefulness and value help it fit a wide range of buyers.

The trade-offs are that performance is fairly pedestrian and the touchscreen response is sluggish, so it’s more practical than engaging. That said, if you want a compact crossover that emphasizes utility, safety, and easy ownership, the RAV4’s broad appeal makes sense. Good and great deals account for 37.5% of listings, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

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

User feedback highlights reliability, comfort, and a trouble-free ownership experience, along with strong value and confidence in the vehicle’s long-term dependability. The expert review also emphasizes Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and describes the RAV4 as a solid performer in the categories that matter most.

ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t absorbed hidden wear from prior use.

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

At 72.8% 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 body panels, paint consistency, tires, and any signs of prior repair. It’s also smart to focus on how the cabin, touchscreen, and safety equipment have held up, since those are the areas most likely to affect day-to-day satisfaction.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trims are available with hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains, while the gasoline-only Adventure and TRD Off-Road versions add more rugged styling and equipment. Lower trims get a 7-inch touchscreen, while Limited models get an 8-inch screen, and the highest trims add more upscale materials and features.
• Powertrain: The gasoline RAV4 uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Toyota says the engine achieves 40% thermal efficiency, and the review notes that the powertrain is efficient but not especially lively.
• 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 trim levels get a 7-inch touchscreen, while Limited models get an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio are standard, and Toyota says the system is easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: Most gasoline models are rated at 30 mpg combined, with 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway for FWD versions, and 29 mpg combined, with 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for AWD versions.

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 formula with standard safety tech, smartphone integration, and the same basic powertrain as the rest of the gasoline lineup. If you want the lowest-cost way into the model, this is the trim to start with.
• 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 lineup. It’s the trim to target if you want a balanced mix of features and price.
• XLE Premium: This trim is the step up for buyers who want a more upscale feel without going all the way to the top. It’s a good fit if you want extra comfort and a more polished cabin.
• Limited: This is the most feature-rich mainstream trim, with the larger 8-inch screen and the most upscale presentation in the gasoline lineup. Choose it if you want the most comfort and convenience features.
• Adventure: This trim adds more rugged styling and a more outdoorsy character, including the Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents. It suits you if you want the RAV4’s utility with a tougher look.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the most specialized trim, with model-specific suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and a front skid plate. It’s the right pick if you want the most rugged gasoline RAV4 setup.

Higher trims add 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?

The market looks moderate for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to make shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,111 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,430, 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 $24,383 sits slightly below last year's $24,688.

That modest decline suggests the RAV4 has held value reasonably well, even as prices have eased. For a future seller, that means you’re not looking at a steep drop in market interest, but you should still expect pricing to reflect the broader softening trend. Strong demand for practical crossovers helps support resale, especially when the vehicle has a good ownership reputation.

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+ award because of mixed headlight scores, with some trim levels receiving marginal or poor headlight ratings.

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:

• 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.23% 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 hybrid trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,195, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,383 average.
• It offers broad versatility with practical, safe transportation and multiple configurations.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,688, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,383 average.
• It adds maturity, a roomy interior, and efficient powertrains.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the current-generation RAV4 with strong safety, broad availability, and a slightly softer used-market price. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer example.

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 safety and a quieter cabin, while the CR-V edges it on overall expert score and value. Both offer plenty of cargo space and neither is especially quick, 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 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.