Summer is only a few short months away, which means it’s almost time to get your boat out of storage and get back out on the water. If you’re looking for a reliable and fuel-efficient SUV to tow your boat, you can’t go wrong with the Toyota RAV4. Although larger Toyota SUVs and trucks, such as the Tacoma or the 4Runner, have the power to haul heavier loads, if you just want to take your fishing boat or your small motorboat to the lake, you can easily tow it with the RAV4.
How Much Can The RAV4 Tow?
When equipped, the 2021 RAV4 can tow up to 3,500 pounds. This is plenty of power for towing a small boat. If you need to haul a full carload of people and gear while towing, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims have the power to tow up to 3,500 pounds while hauling up to a 1,090-pound payload. The several RAV4 trim levels have various towing capacities. The entry-level RAV4 can tow up to 1,500 pounds, which is enough for a smaller, lighter boat.
The RAV4 Hybrid is also capable of towing light loads. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and two electric motors that together put out 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive comes standard with one of the electric motors powering the front wheels and the other designated for the rear wheels. A CVT works with the powertrain for quick and efficient acceleration. Add the trailer hitch, and this hybrid RAV4 can tow up to 1,750 pounds.
The RAV4 lineup also includes the Prime. This model is a plug-in hybrid with a four-cylinder gas engine and three electric motors. The Prime’s combination of gas and electric power generates 302 horsepower, and it’s capable of towing up to 2,500 pounds.
What Makes The RAV4 Perfect For Towing?
Image via Flickr by Jeffrey Beall
A long list of features and equipment make the RAV4 perfect for towing, but what sets it apart from many other small SUVs is its fuel-efficiency even with a full load. The reason for the excellent combination of towing power and fuel efficiency is the RAV4’s engine and performance features.
The regular RAV4 comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with DOHC D-4S injection with dual variable valve timing. It generates 203 horsepower and gets 184 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is available for any trim level, making it capable of tackling some rough terrain if you need to bring your boat to a remote area.
The RAV4 lets you choose from several driving modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal. In the higher trims, you can use the Multi-Terrain Select dial to choose the mode that gets you the most traction for the road conditions. With just the twist of a dial, you can select between mud and sand, rock and dirt, snow, and normal. When activated, the system can detect slipping and regulate the wheel spin by automatically adjusting the throttle and brakes.
The multi-link rear suspension helps deliver a smooth ride and provides the driver with the confidence they need when pulling a trailer. The suspension enhances handling and offers more control by working with the RAV4’s natural body rigidity to keep it steady over any road surface.
What Do The Adventure And TRD Trim Levels Offer?
The Adventure trim is one of the best RAV4 models for towing. It comes with Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Vectoring all-wheel-drive system, which can disconnect the rear axle when needed to improve fuel economy. This off-road model also gains hill descent control, fender flares, 19-inch split five-spoke alloy wheels, multi-LED headlights with chrome bezels and automatic high beams, and LED daytime running lights. The Adventure also has integrated fog lights, LED taillights, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
The TRD Off-Road has the towing power of the Adventure, but it adds even more off-road features to make it more capable when the terrain gets rough. This model has Toyota’s TRD-tuned independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar and multi-link rear suspension with a stabilizer bar. It also comes with Flaken all-terrain tires and a height-adjustable power liftgate. All-wheel drive comes standard with the TRD Off-Road, and this trim has 8.6 inches of ground clearance, which is more than all the other trims and models.
What Are Some Available Features That Enhance Towing Performance?
Toyota offers a variety of features that will help with the RAV4’s towing performance. Extras such as active cornering assist, power-assisted ventilated 12-inch front disc brakes, and ventilated 11.1-inch rear disc brakes with the Star Safety System are available, depending on the trim. You can also get a trailering wishbone-style multi-link rear suspension that provides a more stable towing experience.
What Are The RAV4’S Safety Features?
Safety is always important when you’re behind the wheel, but it’s even more critical when you’re towing. The 2021 RAV4 comes loaded with active and passive safety features, including many driver aids that assist you in staying alert and aware of what’s around you when you’re out on the road.
Some standard safety features for the 2021 RAV4 include lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lane-trace assist. The lane-trace assist keeps the RAV4 centered in the lane and works even over curvy roads. You also get forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and a road sign recognition system. An automatic emergency braking system works with the forward collision warning feature to help stop the RAV4 when a collision is imminent, and automatic high-beam headlights automatically transition between high and low beams.
If you’re looking for a capable SUV that can tow a small boat, but you also want to maximize fuel efficiency, the Toyota RAV4 will get the job done. Don’t wait for summer to get here. Stop by Panama City Toyota and test drive the latest RAV4 Adventure, TRD Off-Road, or even the hybrid model. You’ll love the ride and its capabilities. Contact us to schedule your test drive today!
