Used car safety, rank #127 of 188
Toyota RAV4 4WD Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Toyota RAV4 4WD, a small SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition Β· 2021β2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits Β· Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Toyota RAV4 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 31 per million registered vehicle years against a small SUVs average of 38, which is 18% below the class average. That places it #127 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 39.8/100.
What the Toyota RAV4 death rate means
At 31 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Toyota RAV4 4WD beats the small SUVs average of 38 by 18%. The 95% confidence interval is 21 to 42, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 44 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Toyota RAV4. Its 95% confidence interval is 32β56. It is higher than the Toyota RAV4's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used SUVs
The safest small SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Toyota RAV4 4WD highlighted. It ranks 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid 4WD at a death rate of 5.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid 4WD | 2021-23 | 5 (0 to 15) | 76.9 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Escape hybrid 4WD | 2020-23 | 6 (0 to 17) | 75.7 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Tucson hybrid 4WD | 2022-23 | 7 (0 to 22) | 74.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota RAV4 hybrid 4WD | 2020-23 | 15 (7 to 23) | 63.8 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD | 2020-23 | 17 (4 to 29) | 60.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mazda CX-5 4WD | 2020-23 | 17 (8 to 27) | 60.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Tucson 4WD | 2022-23 | 20 (2 to 38) | 57.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Tucson 2WD | 2022-23 | 21 (0 to 45) | 56.3 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota RAV4 4WD (this page) | 2020-23 | 31 (21 to 42) | 39.8 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for small SUVs: 38 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
International crash test results
Euro NCAP (2019)
ANCAP (2019)
International test results are for the same-generation model sold in those markets. Body structures are typically identical across regions. Euro NCAP vs IIHS explained.
Safety recalls for the Toyota RAV4 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
3 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering back over prevention, electrical system, tires.
-
Back over prevention: display function
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026.
-
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall.
-
Tires: valve
Risk: A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Toyota RAV4 4WD: Common Questions
Is the Toyota RAV4 4WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 31 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Toyota RAV4 4WD, 18% below the class average (38 for small SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 39.8 out of 100 and rank #127 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Toyota RAV4 4WD driver death rate?
31 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 21 to 42. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Toyota RAV4 died at a rate of 44 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Toyota RAV4 4WD compare with other small SUVs?
The small SUVs class averages 38 driver deaths per million; the Toyota RAV4 4WD sits at 31. Among the 9 small SUVs compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid 4WD with a death rate of 5.