You probably own a Toyota RAV4 and you’re wondering what your Toyota RAV4 towing capacity is and if it can tow a trailer. Or maybe you’re in the market for a stylish vehicle that also has an okay towing capacity.
Without further ado:
Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity
The 2022 model of the Toyota RAV4 can comfortably tow between 1500 to 3500 pounds, this towing capacity depends entirely on the trim level of the Toyota RAV4.
The entry-level vehicle of the Toyota RAV4 can tow up to 1500 pounds.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can tow up to 1750 pounds of cargo.
The Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in Hybrid can tow up to 2500 pounds
These SUVs are the low tier of the Toyota RAV4.
Moving up the Toyota ladder, Toyota RAV4 Adventure or TRD off-Road trim levels, can tow a massive 3500 pounds.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the Toyota RAV4’s ability to tow heavy-duty load and camper trailer- Adventure and TRD Off-Road.
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Toyota RAV4 Specifications and Features
The Toyota RAV4 is an all-wheel-drive vehicle with a 2.5 liter inline 4-cylinder engine (203-horsepower) and a torque of 184 @ 5000 RPMs. They run up to 25mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. The Toyota RAV4 can seat up to five people comfortably.
Behind the rear seats, the Toyota RAV4 is a luggage capacity of 37.5 cubic feet and a maximum cargo capacity of 69.8 cubic feet. Both the Toyota RAV4 Adventure and TRD off-road have a considerable amount of cargo space, especially for an SUV.
The Toyota RAV4 Adventure and TRD vehicles are fitted with dozens of features, including satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, backup camera, tire pressure monitoring systems, etc.
Both the Toyota RAV4 Adventure and the RAV4 TRD are all-wheel-drive vehicles.
We’ve discussed the features and specifications of the Toyota RAV4. Now, how well do they measure when it comes to the main reason for this article, the Toyota RAV4 towing capacity?
Rav4 Hybrid Towing Capacity
Even though Toyota has been manufacturing the RAV4 for the past 30 years, the company did not launch a hybrid version of the vehicle until the 2016 model year. The RAV4 Hybrid has the option of an XSE trim level, in addition to providing increased power and improved fuel economy in comparison to the conventional RAV4.
There aren’t many changes made to the RAV4 Hybrid in preparation for the 2022 model year. The Honda CR-V Hybrid, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and the Ford Escape Hybrid are some of the other compact hybrid SUVs that the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid will go up against on the market.
If you think hybrid SUVs are slower than traditional SUVs, you haven’t driven a hybrid SUV like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. During my test drive, the acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour was almost a full second quicker than the gas-only RAV4. Power delivery is smoother than in the basic RAV4, which at times suffers from lag and a gritty engine noise. The RAV4 Hybrid’s steering does not provide any feedback, and the ride quality is not very smooth. This problem is shared with the normal RAV4.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid continues to use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors for a total system output of 219 horsepower. My testing showed that the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 7.1 seconds, which is a significant improvement over the regular RAV4 (8.0 seconds). The EPA gives the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid a respectable rating of 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
I thought that the interior design of the 2021 XSE Hybrid tester was very well done overall. The cabin has a warm and welcoming atmosphere thanks to the large, tactile climate controls and the use of materials with a softer touch. We only wish that the back doors opened wider so that it would be simpler to load and unload both passengers and their belongings.
I believe that the RAV4 Hybrid offers a better overall value than its gas-only counterpart since it provides a driving experience that is both more upscale and more fuel efficient. However, I would also suggest that you have a look at the Honda CR-V Hybrid. Consider purchasing the more expensive RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid if you desire even more power and a longer range when driving solely on electric power.
RAV4 Hybrid Vs RAV4 Prime
The RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, and two electric motors. All-wheel drive comes as standard, and the combined system output is rated at 219 horsepower, which is an increase of 16 horsepower over the gas-powered RAV4. The RAV4 Hybrid’s acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour takes 7.1 seconds as opposed to the gas model’s 8.0 seconds. This is made possible by the increased power and torque. The EPA gives the RAV4 Hybrid a rating of 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Within Toyota’s portfolio, the RAV4 Prime is positioned above the RAV4 Hybrid in terms of precedence. It makes use of the same gasoline engine as the normal hybrid, which has a capacity of 2.5 liters and four cylinders, but the power output of its two electric motors exceeds that of the RAV4 Hybrid’s motors. The increased power of the drivetrain allows the RAV4 Prime to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.5 seconds, making it Toyota’s second-quickest model after the GR Supra 2.0. The total output of the system increases to 302 horsepower.
The battery that comes standard in the Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV is rated at 18.1 kWh, which allows the PHEV to go a combined distance of 42 miles on electric power alone. When the battery is depleted, the EPA estimates that the RAV4 Prime will achieve 94 mpg-e and 38 mpg combined. Its overall range of 550 miles is significantly less than that of the RAV4, which is 580 miles.
The RAV4 Hybrid’s combined city and highway driving range of 580 miles makes it a better choice for road-trippers, but the RAV4 Prime’s 42 miles of EV range will allow owners to roll through town silently for most of their driving. The RAV4 Hybrid’s combined city and highway driving range of 580 miles makes it a better choice for road-trippers.
Can the Toyota RAV4 Tow a Trailer?
Can the Toyota RAV4 towing capacity handle a trailer? The answer to that question is yes, but not without important things to note.
Of all the Toyota RAV4 trim vehicles, the Toyota Adventure and the TRD are the only Toyota RAV4 trim vehicles that can handle a camper trailer.
While the Toyota Adventure and TRD can handle have the greatest towing capacity of all the RAV4 trim levels, the Toyota RAV4 towing capacity is capped at 3500 pounds. This means when choosing the kind of trailer to tow on your RAV4, you have to make sure the trailer doesn’t weigh above 3500 pounds.
Also, you must keep in mind that the maximum payload of the RAV4 is 1050. The payload means the maximum weight of everyone and everything in the Toyota RAV4.
When the manufacturers determined the Toyota RAV4 towing capacity, they did it bearing in mind that the driver weighs 1050 pounds and the vehicle is empty.
What all of this means is that when towing with your Toyota RAV4, you must ensure to factor in the extra weight added by passengers, luggage and any other load in the vehicle.
Does the Toyota RAV4 Come with a Tow Package
For the RAV4 Adventure and TRD, there is a standard tow package available. These trim models of the Toyota come prepacked for towing with their upgraded radiator, supplemental engine oil cooler, and a transmission fluid cooler gives these models an upper hand when it comes to towing.
For other RAV4 vehicles, you’re going to need to get a tow hitch installed.
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FAQS
Which Toyota RAV4 can tow 3500 lbs?
Adventure
Towing capability can be increased to a maximum of 3500 pounds when equipped with the TV-AWD 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that comes standard on the Adventure trim level of the 2022 Toyota RAV4.
Can a Toyota RAV4 tow a trailer?
The maximum cargo capacity for hybrid RAV4 vehicles is 1,230 pounds, and they have a towing capacity of up to 1,750 pounds. There is a maximum payload capacity of 1,050 pounds that can be carried by Toyota RAV4 models that are trail-ready like the RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road variants. The maximum towing capacity of a Toyota RAV4 is 3,500 pounds.
Is there a tow package available for the Toyota RAV4?
No but depending on the engine that you select, the Toyota RAV4 has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The Toyota RAV4 has the capability to pull 1,500 pounds when equipped with the lowest level engine, which is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder.
Can a RAV4 tow a jet ski?
When properly equipped, you have the ability to tow up to 1,500 pounds with four of the 11 trim levels that are offered. This demonstrates that it is possible to pull a jet ski or a small fishing boat behind a trailer.
Why is it Important to Pay Attention to the Toyota RAV4 Payload?
If you exceed the payload of the Toyota RAV4 towing capacity, you run the risk of:
1: It’s important to watch the RAV4 payload.
2: This is a table of capacity for cargo.
3: The wheelbase of the RAV4 is 104.7 inches long.
4: You should be able to fit at least 2200 pounds of cargo in the back of the vehicle without blocking any of the doorways or other portions of the interior.
Takeaway: Pay close attention to your vehicle’s payload capacity when you buy one and for years after that.
These are all things you should avoid happening to your vehicle. But if you continue to neglect the payload of your Toyota RAV4, these are the things that will befall your vehicle.
Is the Toyota RAV4 a Good Vehicle for Towing?
At Quickautobrain, our verdict on this is YES. The Toyota RAV4 is a good towing vehicle if you intend to tow lightweight loads and trailers.
The Toyota RAV4 Adventure and TRD are great vehicles for towing provided you keep the towing capacity in mind and do not exceed the payload. So, whenever the discussion of the RAV4 comes up, make sure to keep these factors at the forefront of your mind.
Can You Increase the Tow Capacity of the Toyota RAV4?
Before reading further on this section, it is important to know that it can be dangerous to tow beyond the recommended towing capacity. Also, you need to make sure this is covered by your insurance.
With that out of the way, there are some things you can do to increase the towing capacity of your Toyota RAV4.
- Get a transmission oil cooler
From the name, this is a cooler that is designed to decrease the temperature of the transmission fluid that runs through your engine. This transmission oil cooler makes reduces the work done on the internal parts of your transmission. A transmission cooler is recommended if you’re going to be towing a trailer close or above the towing capacity.
- Additional brakes for the trailer or the load being towed.
Installing brakes in your trailers reduces the work done by the RAV4’s brakes as it transfers the power to the trailer’s brake.
- Consider fitting rear airbags.
Fitting rear airbags on your Toyota RAV4 is also a great option to level out the rear of your Toyota RAV4, ultimately making it easier to tow with.
Generally, there isn’t much that can be done to increase the towing capacity of the Toyota RAV4. A better option would be to check out other vehicles with a greater towing capacity.
Conclusion
The Toyota RAV4 is a great towing vehicle if you intend to tow lightweight trailers and loads.
In this article, we’ve highlighted everything that has to do with the towing capacity of the Toyota RAV4. For more information on towing checkout this video by Rivet n Roll