2018 Toyota RAV4 - SpecComparePro

2018 Toyota RAV4 SE AWD

All Toyota RAV4 XA40 trims (2013–2018) → All Toyota RAV4 generations →

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 SE AWD is a 176-hp SUV with a 6-speed ect-i automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $30,440 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The RAV4 measures 181.1 inches long on a 104.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,630 lb.

Spec	Value
Vehicle
Body Type	SUV
Powertrain	Gas
Price
MSRP	$30,440
MSRP with Destination	$31,435
Destination Charge	$995
Engine
Engine Type	2.5-liter, four-cylinder, double-overhead cam, 16-valve with dual VVT-i (2AR-FE)
Horsepower	176 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	172 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
Valvetrain	DOHC, four-valve/cylinder, Dual VVT-i
Bore and Stroke	89.9 x 98.0 mm (3.54 x 3.86 in.)
Compression Ratio	10.4:1
Injection Type	SFI (Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection)
Drivetrain
Drive Type	All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Control
Transmission
Transmission	6-speed ECT-i automatic
1st Gear	3.3
2nd Gear	1.9
3rd Gear	1.42
4th Gear	1
5th Gear	0.713
6th Gear	0.608
Reverse	4.148
Final Drive	4.071
Fuel Economy
City	22 MPG
Highway	28 MPG
Combined	24 MPG
Recommended Fuel	87-octane unleaded or higher
Suspension
Front Suspension	Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar and hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear Suspension	Double-wishbone style multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, trailing arms, stabilizer bar, and hydraulic shock absorbers
Front Stabilizer Bar	1.0 in.
Rear Stabilizer Bar	0.91 in.
Brakes
Front Brake Disc	11.7 in. ventilated disc
Rear Brake Disc	11.2 in. solid disc
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front	18 x 7.5 in.
Wheels Rear	18 x 7.5 in.
Tires Front	P235/55R18
Tires Rear	P235/55R18
Dimensions & Weight
Length	181.1 in
Width	72.6 in
Height	66.3 in
Wheelbase	104.7 in
Front Track	61.4 in
Rear Track	61.4 in
Ground Clearance	6.5 in
Approach Angle	28°
Departure Angle	23°
Cargo Volume	38.4 ft³
Curb Weight	3,630 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front	38.9 in
Headroom Rear	38.9 in
Legroom Front	42.6 in
Legroom Rear	37.2 in
Shoulder Room Front	57.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear	55.4 in
Hip Room Front	54.3 in
Hip Room Rear	48.9 in

170 hp · $30,040

Compare

2018 Mazda CX-5

Grand Touring AWD

187 hp · $30,945

Compare

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall	★★★★★
Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★ (16.9 % risk)

Tested variant: 2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD

Other tested variants (1)

2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota RAV4. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Nov 1, 2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.

NHTSA campaign 23V734000

Jun 28, 2019 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

NHTSA campaign 19V503000

Dec 20, 2017 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.

NHTSA campaign 17V831000

333 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota RAV4

Owner Complaints

333 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota RAV4 (31 mention a crash, 33 a fire, 13 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas

Electrical System	130
Unknown Or Other	69
Engine	33
Service Brakes	30
Power Train	26
Exterior Lighting	23

A complaint can cite more than one area.

Most recent complaints

Oct 15, 2026 · Steering, Electrical System, Engine Fire

“All warning lights came on and started flashing, steering wheel locked completely and total system failure. Car suddenly died and I had no control of it. Engine started smoking with black smoke. I got…”

Oct 6, 2026 · Fuel System, Gasoline

“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning right or left, the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the…”

Sep 13, 2026 · Tires

“Cooper tires 225/65R17. Purchased 4 tires in June. From installation the tires were bouncy. The garage said it was the struts, so I replaced the struts, but the problem persists. 2 weeks later I took…”

Aug 3, 2026 · Steering, Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance

“Before o had taken my RAV4 into Toyota for the recall a AAA tech. had replaced the battery after jump starting it. There was nothing wrong with the sensors or anything else but after the battery was…”

Jul 28, 2026 · Back Over Prevention

“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera was black and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search