Used 2021 Toyota RAV4 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 cost?

Prices have softened 3.13% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 724 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

Generally — you’re looking at 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 repeatedly praise its reliability, comfort, fuel efficiency, spacious interior, safety features, handling, and value for money. For you, that means the RAV4 fits especially well if you want a practical compact crossover with broad everyday appeal and a strong reputation for usefulness. The market also shows 29.3% of listings as good or great deals, which is a decent sign of availability for selective shoppers.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency as recurring strengths, while the expert assessment highlights Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and a solid overall performance in the categories that matter most. The powertrain and chassis are described as dependable enough for everyday use, and the model’s broad appeal is reinforced by its practical, trouble-free character.

Toyota’s standard warranty coverage is fairly typical for the segment, so used buyers should still pay attention to maintenance history and any signs of neglected upkeep. If you want long-term ownership with fewer surprises, a well-maintained example is the safer bet.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The RAV4 Trail adds an Ice Edge roof, orange interior accent stitching and trim, while the TRD Off-Road package adds matte black 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, red interior accents, and a TRD front skid plate. Material quality is fairly good on lower trim levels, but it does not rise much as prices climb, and even the range-topping Limited does not offer real leather.
• Powertrain: The gasoline model uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. You get standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, and the engine is efficient for its class, though the transmission can feel hesitant.
• 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. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also standard, while a 360-degree camera system is available on certain option packages.
• Infotainment: Most trim levels get a 7-inch touchscreen, while Trail and Limited models get an 8-inch screen. All models include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and up to five USB ports are available. The system is easy to use, but it is not especially flashy.
• Fuel efficiency: Front-wheel drive models average 7.9 L/100 km combined. All-wheel drive versions range from 7.9 L/100 km combined on the most efficient LE grade to 8.5 L/100 km combined on the Trail TRD Off-Road.

Which 2021 Toyota RAV4 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is offered in 5 trim levels: LE, XLE, Limited, Trail, 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 without the extra cost of the more feature-rich trims. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest entry price and are comfortable with the basics.
• XLE: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it opens the door to the gasoline-only Premium package, giving you a more flexible middle ground than the base trim.
• Trail: Choose this if you want the more rugged look and the available TRD Off-Road package. It also gets the larger 8-inch screen, which is a useful upgrade over the standard setup.
• Limited: This is the most upscale gas-only trim, with the 8-inch screen and the most premium presentation in the lineup, but it does not add real leather.
• TRD Off-Road: Pick this if you want the most adventure-oriented gas RAV4. It adds torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, model-specific suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and the highest towing capacity among gas models.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is included across the lineup.

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

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare and some room to negotiate.

• Deal availability: 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 724 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.13% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $30,151 CAD, 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 $30,312 CAD sits slightly below last year's $31,291 CAD.

That softer pricing trend suggests the RAV4 is not currently in a rising-value phase, so future sellers may need to be realistic about expectations. If you buy at a strong price today, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation later. The model’s broad appeal and reputation for reliability should still help support demand when it is time 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 a five-star overall rating 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. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also standard, which gives you a strong baseline of driver assistance.

The main caveat is headlight performance: the RAV4 missed the higher IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating because certain trim levels received marginal or poor headlight scores. If safety is a top priority, you should pay close attention to the lighting equipment on the specific trim you are considering.

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:

• 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.43/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It offers broad trim and powertrain choice, including the Trail and TRD Off-Road options.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,178 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,312 CAD average.
• It offers broad usefulness with a wide range of configurations.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $32,205 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,312 CAD average.
• It adds a more polished feel with a roomy, flexible interior and a more mature design.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, choice, and proven appeal, the 2021 is the sensible pick. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the better value path. If you want a newer-feeling RAV4 and can stretch your budget, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.