The 2022 Toyota Rav4 LE is the entry-level trim for this popular midsize crossover with a starting price of $26,975. The 2022 Rav4 XLE is the next available trim tier, adding a few more standard features for only $1,470 more.
Make and model are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to figuring out the right new car for you. After all, you still have to decide on your vehicle’s trim level and any package upgrades before you can drive your car off the lot. The popular Toyota Rav4 has a boatload of options, but the LE and XLE trims are the ones to look at to keep your costs low.
So which one’s right for you—the Rav4 LE or the XLE? Jerry
, the licensed insurance broker and super app for car insurance
, is here with the answers! We’re covering all the differences (and similarities) between the Rav4 LE and XLE, from powertrain to standard tech, and even your Toyota Rav4 insurance costs
! Toyota Rav4 LE vs Rav4 XLE—which is better?
The Toyota Rav4 LE and XLE are the first two trim levels in the Toyota Rav4 lineup, so they have more in common than not! Which one is better for you will likely come down to your budget and preferences. The Rav4 LE is the cheaper option, but the Rav4 XLE comes with more standard features and customization.
Price
The 2022 Toyota Rav4 LE has an MSRP of $26,975, and the MSRP for the Rav4 XLE is slightly higher at $28,445. Other fees and taxes will apply depending on your Toyota dealership.
The Rav4 LE and XLE are the two lightest trims available for the Toyota Rav4—meaning they’re the two most affordable. Here are the prices for the Toyota Rav4’s other trim levels:
Other options and package upgrades will increase your Rav4’s price tag. For example, the LE and XLE are available with hybrid powertrains for an additional $2,600.
More expensive trim configurations are typically more expensive to insure, so take that into consideration as you make your decision. As such, you can expect Rav4 XLE insurance costs
to be slightly more expensive thanRav4 LE insurance costs
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Performance specs
The LE and XLE trims of the Rav4 share the same standard powertrain—a 2.5-L inline-four engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. You get to choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive at no additional cost.
As such, the Rav4 LE and XLE share more similarities than differences when it comes to their performance specs. The standard inline-four generates up to 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque that can get this compact SUV from zero to 60 mph in about 8.0 seconds, regardless of trim level. The LE and XLE also share a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
The only engine upgrade available for the Rav4 LE and XLE trims is an all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain, which combines the same engine with two electric motors for 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid LE and XLE share a slightly faster zero-60 time of 7.4 seconds and an improved towing capacity of 1,750 pounds.
Both the standard and the Hybrid Rav4 LE and XLE offer a smooth and competent ride, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a particularly exciting powertrain configuration for the Rav4, even on higher trim models.
Off-road adventure capabilities
Neither the Toyota Rav4 LE nor the XLE is suited for heavy off-roading, but you should be fine driving down a gravel path here and there with the right configuration. If you’re interested in taking your Toyota Rav4 off-road, you’ll need to pay attention to its drivetrain, ground clearance, and performance features.
First, let’s talk about the drivetrain. AWD is much better suited for off-road driving than FWD because it provides more traction. Both the Toyota RAV4 LE and XLE come with all-wheel drive as an option, so you’re good to go there!
Next: ground clearance. Typically you want at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance to tackle uneven roads. The Toyota Rav4 ground clearance starts at 8.4 inches for the LE and XLE trims. You’d need to upgrade to the Rav4 XLE Premium with 8.6 inches of ground clearance to be able to enjoy more serious rough-and-ready escapades.
Last but not least: performance features. You’ll want to look for features that are specifically focused on aiding your vehicle on different terrains. The Rav4 LE and XLE come equipped with traction control, but not much else. You’d likely have a better time taking the Toyota Rav4 TRD off-road than any other Rav4 trim options.
Fuel and mileage
The Toyota Rav4 LE and XLE see some very slight variations when it comes to fuel economy, depending on the drivetrain you choose.
The front-wheel drive versions of both the LE and XLE offer the best fuel efficiency, with 27 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined.The all-wheel drive LE trim is almost identical, except for getting 34 mpg on the highway instead of 35. The all-wheel drive XLE sees a slight dip across the board with 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.
If you opt for a hybrid LE or XLE, you will obviously see this fuel economy improve. With only one drivetrain option to choose from, both the Hybrid Rav4 LE and XLE get 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined.
Interior features
You shouldn’t expect the interior of any Toyota Rav4 trim configuration to be dripping in luxury, but the Toyota Rav4 XLE does come with some nice, subtle upgrades that the entry-level Rav4 LE lacks. First, let’s talk about what the Toyota Rav4 LE and XLE have in common regarding their interiors: passenger space and cargo area.
Both the LE and XLE Rav4 can comfortably seat up to five passengers and come with competitive cargo space options for their segment—up to 69.8 cubic feet with the second row of seats down. Here are all the interior measurements of the Toyota Rav4 LE and XLE trims:
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The Rav4 LE and XLE differ most in their interiors when it comes to the finishing touches—climate control, functionality, and material.
The interior features in the entry-level Rav4 LE are pretty sparse, only offering manual air conditioning and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Rav4 XLE upgrades both, subbing in a dual-zone automatic climate control system and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.
Both the Rav4 LE and XLE use a simple fabric upholstery and feature a 60-40 folding split bench in the rear seats. However, the XLE does feature a nice finishing touch of embossed seat inserts. The Rav4 XLE can be upgraded with heated seats, but you’ll need to upgrade to the Rav4 XLE Premium if you want to ditch the cloth for SofTex synthetic leather.
Technology and safety features
The technology in the Toyota Rav4 XLE has a slight leg-up over the LE, though perhaps not as much as one would expect.
Both the Rav4 LE and XLE come equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth compatibility—now that’s quite the connectivity setup! Music comes from a simple six-speaker audio system and can be controlled with buttons on the steering wheel.
Both also offer USB connectivity, but the LE is only equipped with one USB port, while the XLE is equipped with five. The Rav4 XLE also features a Smart Key System that adds push-button start and proximity entry to keyless entry.
Every Toyota Rav4 comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a suite of driver assistance features that help even the entry-level LE score five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the International Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 includes the following safety features:
Pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection
Lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist
LED headlights with automatic high beams
The Toyota Rav4 XLE adds blind-spot monitoring (BSM) and rear-cross traffic alert (RCTA), but these can be included on the Rav4 LE for an additional $680.
Available upgrades
When it comes to available package upgrades, you’ll be able to customize the Toyota Rav4 XLE much more than the entry-level Rav4 LE.
The only available upgrade packages for the Rav4 LE are the additional $680 BSM/RCTA safety feature package and the installation of a $90 rear cargo area cover. The Rav4 XLE, on the other hand, offers the following package upgrades:
Weather Package ($925): Adds heated, leather steering wheel, heated seats, and rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icing function
Convenience Package ($1,265): Adds height-adjustable power liftgate and power moonroof with one-touch open/close function
Convenience and Weather combined with Audio Plus Package ($3,280): Includes all the features of the weather and convenience packages, as well as a 9.0-inch touchscreen with all the standard connectivity features
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get higher-end features like a JBL premium audio system or front and rear parking assist on the Rav4 LE or XLE. Most of the Rav4’s premium features are only available on the Rav4 XLE Premium trim and up.
How to find cheap car insurance for your Rav4
As we said before, you can expect car insurance for a fully decked-out Toyota Rav4 XLE to be considerably more expensive than that for a standard Rav4 LE. If insurance costs are holding you back from your dream Toyota Rav4, you can useJerry
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