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2020 Hyundai Sonata Review

2020 Hyundai Sonata Review

MSRP
$23,600 – $33,500

MPG (up to)
28 City / 38 HWY

Horsepower
180-191

Seats
5

Crash Test Rating

Hyundai Sonata Models & Trims

SE $23,600
SEL $25,700
SEL Plus $27,650
Limited $33,500

Hyundai Sonata Road Test Video Reviews

Expert Review

PROS

Comfy and stylish interior with soft-to-touch materials, impressive ergonomics and aesthetics.
Spacious cabin with good headroom and legroom even for adult passengers in rear seats; easy access to best-in-segment cargo space.
High ratings for fuel economy and safety with a lineup of standard safety features.


CONS

Unremarkable on the road for an engine with high-rated horsepower, tends to be loud and rough with increased speed.
No options available for those who love leather seating or a more powerful engine.
High base price makes upscale versions more pricey for a compact SUV.


What’s New in 2020 Toyota RAV4

  • New standard features include the Android Auto infotainment system, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, driver assists system
  • TRD Off-Road debuts in 2020
  • Power driver’s set added but moonroof option removed for XLA trim
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel added and optional power liftgate removed from Adventure trim
  • Upgraded Upgraded JBL stereo system for Limited trim

Editor’s Overview

In model year 2020, the Toyota RAV4 shows off why it is a popular and convincing choice in the crossover segment. We love it high-quality cabin fitted with appropriate ergonomics and available hybrid powertrain that delivers excellent fuel mileage. Buyers should also take a look at the new RAV4 TRD Off-Road trim, which features a retuned suspension and all-terrain tires perfectly capable of hitting the trails.

What We Like

Light off-road ability, rugged styling, equipped with tons of safety and driver-assistance features.

What We Don’t Like

More expensive than comparably-equipped rivals, compromised interior, vague steering.

Interior

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 seating is quite comfy for five passengers, with good legroom and headroom in both the front and rear areas for average size adults. Passenger cabin improvements are aimed to satisfy passengers and accommodate their cargo. Spacious and aesthetically pleasing, the 2020 model dumps the previous model’s somewhat gloomy interior. Available storage space is surprisingly competitive with similar-sized SUVs or hybrids. The rear seat can be folded in a near-flat position to provide ample cargo space. You can choose between the austere base LE version with its cloth cover and plastic steering wheel or the pricier trims with more luxurious perks including unique accent stitching and upholstery patterns for each model.

Toyota has made sure those riding the RAV4 remain connected to the outside world while ensconced inside. All trims offer an easy-access 7-inch or optional 8-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capability plus a 4G LTE mobile hotspot. Other standard techie gears include keyless entry, a rearview camera, a single USB port, a 4.2-inch LCD gauge cluster display, and satellite radio. If you don’t have the optional navigation system, you can connect any compatible smartphone to the desktop screen via the Scout GPS link to view a map and directions.

Options available in high end 2020 Toyota RAV4 models: 

  • leatherette upholstery
  • heated and ventilated front seats
  • leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob
  • driver’s seat memory settings
  • JBL premium audio system
  • navigational system
  • wireless charging pad for your devices
  • four additional USB ports

Exterior

Toyota has upped the ante with an improved, more aggressive styling of the new 2020 RAV4. Its rugged design exudes the boldness of the Tacoma truck and the 4Runner SUV. LE and XLE trims have 17-inch wheels with silver 6-spoke while the Premium and Limited trims have the 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

To spike the RAV4 aesthetics in its RD Off-Road model, Toyota installed all-terrain Falken tires on exclusive 18-inch wheels, an exclusive TRD suspension kit with red coil springs, and plenty of TRD logos all around.

Engine, Transmission and Performance

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 203-hp 2.5 liter gas-only engine is powerful enough to provide decent acceleration and speed on the streets. The 8-speed automatic transmission works smoothly for easy and quick shifting. Generally, expect to hear some growling though when you step on the gas which can be a turn-off. You just get what you expect performance-wise in terms of competence with no delightful surprises. With the Hybrid versions, you can even race with and possibly outrun a few other hybrids in its class.

A potential favorite for fuel-economy-conscious SUV fans, the 2020 RAV4 boasts of a class-competitive EPA rating of 28 mpg (city) and 35 mpg (highway) for the standard four-wheel-driver versions. The optional AWD versions (the Adventure model, for instance) tend to have less stellar fuel mileage. Watch out for ratings for the hybrid versions to be released anytime soon.

Overall, driving the RAV4 gives you an almost car-like feeling. Toyota has managed to balance the steering and weight of the new RAV4 quite nicely. We got just the right feedback from the road and during steering which is much-needed upgrade over previous models.The RAV4 handles well around corners and across most surfaces, giving the driver and passengers a smooth ride.

The Adventure, Limited, and TRD Off-Road models excel in handling rough roads and poor traction due to bad weather with more advanced hill descent control and torque-vectoring steering capabilities.

Safety

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is easily a good choice for families of five or smaller. Overall, it earned a well-deserved highest NHSTA rating: five out of five stars. Also, five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. An IIHS Top Safety Pick, this current RAV4 is still waiting for the institute’s crash ratings.

Available on all 2020 models, the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system has a wide range of the latest safety tech in the market. Available features include pedestrian detection, full speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, Lane Tracing Assist, and more. TRD Off-Road adds to this system with standard Trailer Sway Control, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking. We also noted the RAV4 LATCH system’s high IIHS-rating for ease of use.

Reliability

Predicted reliability scores for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 range from 4 to 4.5 out from auto sites and consumers they surveyed. J.D. Power gave it a better-than-most or 4 over 5 predicted reliability rating overall, and, specifically, a 82 out of 100 predicted reliability rating for the 2020 RAV4 LE AWD.

Toyota covers the RAV4 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid-component warranty. Plus, a complimentary scheduled maintenance of 2 years or 25,000 miles for all models.

As of this writing, no known recalls have been announced for the 2020 Toyota RAV4.

2020 Toyota RAV4 Options/Trims

The RAV4 comes in six trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited. The Hybrid version is available in LE, XLE and XSE trims. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trim levels except the Adventure and the TRD Off-Road, which get all-wheel drive.

LE

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0
  • Audio — includes 7-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa  compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • Integrated backup camera with projected path

LE Hybrid

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Hybrid 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder engine
  • Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
  • Integrated backup camera with projected path

XLE

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Available Audio Plus — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™,Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Smart Key System on front doors and liftgate
  • Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)

XLE Hybrid

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Available Audio Plus — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™,Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Smart Key System on front doors and liftgate
  • Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
  • LED projector-beam headlights with chrome bezels and Automatic High Beams (AHB)

XLE Premium

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Available Audio Plus with JBL® — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • SofTex®-trimmed front seats with 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support
  • Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic three-spoke steering wheel

Adventure

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Available Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive (TV-AWD)
  • Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic three-spoke steering wheel
  • 120V/100W deck-mounted power outlet
  • 7-in. digital Multi-Information Display (MID)

TRD Off-Road

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Available Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • TRD-tuned independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar
  • 18-in. 6-spoke matte-black TRD flow-formed alloy wheels
  • SofTex®-trimmed seats with red stitching, embossed seat inserts and TRD stitching in front headrests
  • Power liftgate with jam protection
  • Power tilt/slide moonroof with one-touch open/close

XSE Hybrid

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Available Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • Sport-tuned suspension
  • 18-in. 5-spoke black-painted sport alloy wheels
  • 7-in. digital Multi-Information Display (MID)
  • Standard two-tone exterior color with Midnight Black Metallic roof

Limited

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • SofTex®-trimmed heated front seats with 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory function and lumbar support
  • 19-in. multi-spoke super chrome-finished alloy wheels
  • Digital rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal transceiver

Limited Hybrid

  • Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
  • Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® — includes 8-in. touch-screen, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial
  • SofTex®-trimmed heated front seats with 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory function and lumbar support
  • 18-in. 5-spoke super chrome-finished sport alloy wheels
  • Digital rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal transceiver

What Other Experts Say

“When we’ve compared it to the competition, we’ve found it falls short of the mark set by the class leaders.”

“A compelling choice in a crowded segment, the RAV4’s broad lineup offers something for nearly everyone.”

“We found the vehicle to be somewhat disappointing to drive on the road, with an engine that appeared to be outmatched compared to other crossovers in its class.”  “This was balanced out by the RAV4’s ‘great interior design, mix of materials, and ergonomics’…..”

“Actually it’s more of an SUV than a crossover; boxy and roomy. It’s the 4WD versions that’ll take most RAV4 sales.”

Should I Buy the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

Like the bestselling RAV4s in recent years, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 does not disappoint compared to other vehicles in its class. You can build the RAV4 that matches your lifestyle and taste with the range of options and trims available. Its formidable rugged style balanced by ease of travel for passengers inside makes it a great compact SUV. You may be turned off by the high base price, but  it is a great choice as a family vehicle because of its impressive standard features, above-average reliability rating and outstanding fuel economy. For long-term savings on gas, you may choose the more expensive Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which is actually one of the lowest priced hybrid and electric SUVs.