2020 RAV4 TRD | An Off Road Machine?

We review The RAV4 TRD Off-Road SUV. We discuss the details of why this exists and who should buy this. We talk about the technical parts, good, bad, and why you would consider this among other products like the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CRV, Mazda CX5, and Toyota Ford Escape.
#rav4 #toyota #dellpartner
Full RAV4 Review:
• 2020 Toyota RAV4 | Des...
Index:
00:00 - 00:43 Intro
00:43 - 3:01 Interior Impressions and JBL Audio Testing
3:01 - 4:49 In the Shop - Suspension etc.
4:49 - 8:42 Driving Impressions
8:42 Final Thoughts

[@mtnx7]

One of the very few youtubers who actually goes under the damn car. Keep up the good work.

[@davidb708]

It definitely distinguishes him from the others. That, and the super high production quality make this channel just amazing. He also doesn't shy away from telling us if a car is a piece of shit.

[@dave_riots]

Yes! You can actually tell if your car is self-serviceable or not if you happen to own the same model he's reviewing.

[@Dowlphin]

All my car-related recommendations on the right of this video are savagegeese, too. 20 or so before any other name appears.

[@mattf2535]

The only car-review KZbin channel that I watch & take seriously

[@TheWoundedWarrior]

When you want a Jeep but actually want it to start in the morning

[@FreeRangeLemon]

Kenny Argueta Ventura My old Jeep JK broke down in the driveway twice, had to do some funky thing with the shifter to get it to start. All three JKs I had got the death wobble at 60000 miles.

[@susanclevenger6181]

Haha. This cracked me up because I'm looking to trade of my Jeep for this because, I can't stand how unreliable it is. With that said, my grandmas 96 Grand Cherokee has like 300,000 miles on it and still going lol.

[@stevemcdaniel7990]

@@susanclevenger6181 Good God! Alert Fiat Chrysler and get that thing in a museum. It has seriously lasted about 250,000 miles longer than any other 1990s era GC in existence!

[@susanclevenger6181]

Steve McDaniel haha. Right!!

[@ratiod2289]

🤣🤣 exactly

[@StrategyJoe]

Indeed going to the mall these days feels like offroading

[@Jasonhb07]

Lol yes with all of the 6 inch lifted jeeps and other suvs running 35 inch low profile tires and $2000 winches with synthetic ropes that will NEVER be used.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

@@Jasonhb07 the douche battalions in the full-size trucks with the Manitowoc winches and the Road Armor kits that somehow never seem to have a drop a mud on them no matter how many times you see them

[@Jasonhb07]

@@pontiacGXPfan Those types of people are always out for bigger and better things. The great part is when they are ready to trade up, they list their never used parts on craigslist and I come around and pick it up for exorbitant discounts. I love it!

[@Zaque-TV]

With America neglecting it's infrastructure, yes. My road is Swiss cheese.

[@kentwoodmansey7113]

Where was any off roading in the drive?

[@Affalterbach1967]

I am holding out for the SR5 appearance package, so I stand out in the Panera drive thru line.

[@gsxellence]

Lol

[@johnnymichael1804]

Nailed it! Thats about all these "me too basic bitch Karen mobiles" are good for.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

😂

[@campkira]

or yo can mod it into laamborghini....

[@RAY-THE-WAY]

It’s crazy how this guy doesn’t have at least 1 million subscribers.

[@bfielder9097]

I agree, but that takes a really long time. There's a ton of guys in this space and they all pretty review the same vehicles. That being said the Goose in my opinion is the best at it, so it's just a matter of time.

[@dirkcurritzki9585]

Geese never rushed. Those who have 1M+ followers generally posted videos regularly and frequently.

[@larsu-gx579]

Geese easily puts in 5 times the work any other car youtuber does and it's not even his job. Crazy

[@MelvinKhosa]

I don't get how people can watch something that caters to kids like Doug Demuro who is ultra cringe worthy over Savagegeese. I used to watch doug too but stopped the more cringe he got.

[@sbstnpofadder]

He will get there...

[@pontiacGXPfan]

People who buy this think off roading is parking on the grass instead of the driveway

[@ThatGuy-mf9ye]

Don't forget the people who buy 60-70k trucks to park at trail heads.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

@@ThatGuy-mf9ye oh the different kind of SUV posers

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

You can complete the look by never washing it.

[@FreeRangeLemon]

That Guy or to coal roll people

[@awacs337]

I don't think a RAV4 has enough street cred (trail cred?) to be used as a posers car

[@bmos02]

Loved that intro drone shot of the RAV4 stalking that goose.

[@echopapacharlie]

That intro with geese is simply awesome.

[@Mozeart]

I love my RAV4 TRD, I mean it’s fast enough. I don’t need Tesla like speed and when you are in Sports mode it moves. The interior is super comfortable and nice and you feel super safe in it. There are just so many options out there now a days. I think this one works for anyone who comes from mostly driving cars and living in a city type of environment and gets into nature like once or twice a month.

[@moloono1]

Mark, I appreciate you and your professional cinematography, brutally honest reviews, and dry humor. Please keep making videos!!!

[@normstreets]

My girlfriend rented a new Rav4 Adventure the other day when she took her 2017 Rav4 in for service. I drove the new model and while I like the seats and interior design, the power and drivability aren't much different from the old one. It's not even quieter. I don't see why these little CUVs cost up to 40K.

[@davidmorin2731]

We felt the same way when we bought our used 2016 Limited a year ago. Sure the new ones are aesthetically nicer, and Apple CarPlay would be great, but for what amounted to a $10k difference new-vs-used I just wasn't impressed enough to spend the coin. It's the Hybrid I want now though.

[@jacobyo99]

The 2013-2018 is better

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

You consider this little? Compared to the first gen, this thing looks like a damn barge.

[@digitaldoc100]

Very overpriced, and quite unexceptional. For 40k, it should get the V-6 from the Camry. Will sell (unfortunately) just for the reliability.

[@jonathantyree8172]

Cause people for some reason are willing to pay it..

[@chasedooley6237]

You have the best production quality out of any car reviewer on the Internet. Brilliant work

[@krzych91krk]

Is it me, or does this design look like a modern take on a Pontiac Aztek?

[@miosz9007]

Yeah, in chemistry they call this the Heisenberg effect.

[@YasssStitch]

Fern Green - Walter White's choice of vehicle paint.

[@TekuTaurus]

No, that would be the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

[@sbstnpofadder]

Ill never forget watching Breaking Bad and my Dad walking in asking "what the hell is that thing" ? Cracked me up.

[@davidtaylor5811]

Or maybe the Aztek was ahead of it's time? Who's laughing now?

[@SuchFinessse]

Toyota needs to start changing their internals, especially on TRD and Sport vehicles. They've done all they can with that exterior, maybe do something with the engine and transmission to make it more inspiring

[@JF-ns5zs]

Why would they when this is going to sell great for them for all the people who think one day they’ll drive this in their neighbor Rodgers backyard

[@monarchco]

Toyota is too inset into their ways. And the car market has turned too much into brand loyalty for it to matter. It certainly doesn't help when Car and Driver, etc major reviewers are going ToYotA tHe bEst vEhiCle foR eVerYthInG

[@James-il3tq]

Far to costly for those upgrades. Toyota's never done that on any TRD models. They stick to appearance and suspension mods. It

[@FishFind3000]

That wouldn’t make it a Toyota... why would they give you performance or any sporty features... it’s not the ultimate driving machine.

[@James-il3tq]

RAV4 Prime coming this year. 302hp with 0-60 in 5.8. Sporty enough for you?

[@rmelotto]

Omg, a real good technical level analysis! Im surprised, in this sea of youtubers that just read specs, this video is satisfying. Thank you.

[@ericbulington2421]

If I ever get to leave the house, it will feel like an adventure. This is the perfect "adventure vehicle" for leaving the house.

[@timflint25]

I love this thing but refuse to buy one on principal, due to the INSANE price of $42,500. For that it should at least include: - 10 inches ground clearance - skid plates - higher resolution cameras Most of that should be easy to implement without charging more.

[@pucus21]

Had to quit my GRID race to watch this! Great Job Mark!

[@canadaperson]

I drove my in-laws trd off road on a four hour road trip last night and it was fantastic. Quiet and comfortable, good suspension, cooled seats and decent sound system

[@rightlanehog3151]

Folks, this is more expensive than the FJ Toyota used to sell here. Toyota could sell their 2 door Land Cruiser Prado for this price and it would be worthy of the Off Road name. If you really want a RAV4 buy a Hybrid. If you want to go off road a 4X4 SR5 4Runner costs less. The increased tow rating of 3,500 lbs, which is shared with the Adventure model, is the only real advantage over regular RAV4s. TMC could at least throw buyers a bone by including the 3.5 V6. At the price of 40K, this must be the most expensive 203 HP money can buy. BTW make my affordable Prado a manual please.

[@speakingtruths4215]

Right Lane Hog While what you’re saying makes sense, the average buyer for this is in their mid 50’s, has no interest whatsoever in going off road, and will probably buy one anyway. If you want to talk about the off road market, why would anyone ever buy a brand new truck for off road use, ESPECIALLY if it is a Toyota product? You could buy a used 2013 4 Runner probably for under 20k, beat the shit out of it, and have it run forever. Then you save 25-30k off of a brand new 4 Runner. Most of these people looking to off road are looking around in the used vehicle community, and if they aren’t, then they really aren’t very intelligent.

[@Pfshens]

Speaking Truths You want the size of a Rav-4 but also capable off road. It’s trying to compete with the Cherokee but more refined with sacrifices on the drive terrain

[@3052022]

It’s insane how over priced the dealers here sell them mixed with people financing for 75 or 84 months , but right now that a 4Runner is the last true off road and this was designed for the mall

[@Vtrjfrost]

Why is the tow rating increased? All trims have the same motor.

[@phprofYT]

agreed.

[@dipacmr]

Savage Geese, thank you for this candid review of the RAV4 TRD Off Road. I was on the fence for months and only pulled the plug the other day to buy one. I like the Toyota brand and its reliability. This is third Toyota. Previously, I owned a 4Runner and I still have a 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road. Love the look of the truck and, equally, I really like the appearance of the TRD Off Road badging in the RAV4. And, yes, probably the most I'll ever do is drive on an unimproved dirt road and, as someone mentioned in the comments, park on the grass and at malls with deteriorating surfaces. Keep up the great work. I second another comment on why you don't have many, many more subscribers.

[@charlesprice3386]

Can you please explain the audio performance graphs...They flash up in the reviews but I don’t understand their content and how to use them to compare between different vehicle sounds systems..Thanks

[@shadowsocks7472]

There is a video where he explains his testing process and what it means.

[@rjhick1]

Just read the text

[@xdunejunkiex]

Had one of your shirts delivered over the weekend, thanks man

[@sam2920]

I knew one day I'd see CAKE on the music player. You guys have great taste in music.

[@joshua9073]

Thanks Mark this review was compact and very informative!

[@ruckus1713]

Gotta say, even though I don't always agree with your reviews, a ton of props for only talking about stuff consumers actually care about. Feel like most reviewers sit in so many vehicles, they get too picky about things consumers will never notice

[@tma2290]

The music at the beginning... ‘ Get in the RAV4 Abe, ya putz! We’re late for Yeshiva!’

[@ghostindamachine]

Whoever does the video and music montage, kudos to you!

[@georgehugh3455]

Not-so-much "Off-Road" as able to clear this spring's crop of dead animals on the road - Toyota RAV 4-TiReD

[@Littleathquakes]

more like 4-turd

[@pontiacGXPfan]

RAV4 TRasheD

[@agenthex]

A stock Rav4 + suspension won 2wd class in rally with Ryan Millen. The compact suv is actually kind of ideal for that sort of thing because it has abundant suspension travel & ground cleareance unlike most cars which need a lot of work. Rhys Millen actually won the Ramada Express Rally (1st class, 2nd overall) with a modified Lexus rx300 back in the day.

[@derekrobinson2366]

8:59 😂 *”The poverty spec”- SavageGeese 2020*

[@dallasmellsop5488]

That's a widely used term in Europe

[@Subtle_Shift_In_Emphasis]

The gloves had me hoping for some mime. Disappointed.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

I was thinking prostate exam. So, not disappointed.

[@kellyhryniuk1869]

354k subs? Hell yeah 😎 good shit , I've been here since 30k subs

[@ryu-ken]

506k now. I've been here since 503k 😎

[@adi7795]

I have a 2019 RAV4 adventure . The quality is great fun to drive I use my most for and around the farm .

[@Brianlovesrice]

This is my first time hearing of a Rav4 TRD Off Road. I've been living under a rock! I'd be very much ok with that

[@kpostrup]

I can't wait to see your take on the upcoming Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid.

[@rainschris]

I always enjoy your videos! I wish you had done a video in the hybrid as I don't see you turning in a third rav4 video any time soon. Also, someone I never noticed your racing simulator until now. Nice!

[@DctorSkillz1]

I live in Alaska and this is perfect for me.

[@fabianherrmann6398]

The best part is the dial in the center that says push (to) normal. Would buy this hoping it works for the occupants of the vehicle as well.

[@bh2236]

Looks amazing!

[@Casket-Man]

We were considering this or the Adventure vs the Highlander as a new family vehicle. The wife and I both hated the driving experience of the RAV. The V6 in the Highlander is light years better to drive in both power and noise. Your comment about a tin can full of rocks for engine noise was perfect then add that to the poor acceleration and bleh. Everything else is so nice it stinks the engine really lets it down.

[@James-il3tq]

RAV4 hybrid addresses those issues. Much quieter and quicker then gas models (especially off the line with electric assist).

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

jmarkma you’re correct the engine is gutless in these Rav 4’s. I so miss the days of The V6 days in this model. Back then it could actually get out of its way not any more...

[@Casket-Man]

@@James-il3tq If only they would offer them in the Adventure and TRD trims, the driveline is different in those models.

[@Casket-Man]

@@colingoldthorpe5918 Between our XLE Highlander, the TRD RAV, and the Adventure all of these are fairly close in price point. There's absolutely no reason they couldn't offer the V6 with a small premium. It's a little bizarre you can get the V6 in the lighter TNGA based sedan but not the RAV.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@Casket-Man Yes, the AWD RAV4 needs a V6 more than a FWD Camry.

[@MrWhosYourDad]

Any issues with the Gas Tank for not filling up in full ??? Can you share your experience ??

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

Good call on the gloves when looking at the underbody. You might have contracted the TRD and become sporty with red sway bar bushings.

[@xe2ac]

Nice review! How do you compare it vs the Subaru Forester ?

[@danielc3321]

Is this replacing the Adventure trim or in addition to it? If it’s separate from the adventure, what’s the difference?

[@ggqbc]

I would love one of these as my daily driver

[@charliewilson3528]

Great video. On a mass market small suv. Little plasticy but reliable. Thumbs up

[@andrewjacobson556]

Great reveiw as usual, anychance of reveiwing a super snake??

[@armink9686]

That moment when a trim level gets almost the same video time as the Passat and the BMW 228i, I'm no psychologist but it must be worth something.

[@lepe]

I can't make sense of that sentence...

[@FamousWithoutBrad]

This comment gave me COVID

[@armink9686]

@@FamousWithoutBrad I hope you recover.

[@ervin7178]

Armin K well more people will probably buy this trim level than 228’s and passats combined in the US

[@lepe]

Also how is "not being a psychologist" affect your ability to assess the the value of a car's trim level? What the hell man.

[@limpunsing224]

Maybe for some small family outdoor picnic which most CUVs can also do nowadays Good review

[@gerritzondag1585]

Best car reviewer ever. 10/10

[@lacross81]

Try and get your hands on a RAV4 hybrid since most journalists say it is the better RAV4, great review as always!

[@watchesandcaps2566]

I wish these videos were longer like they used to be.

[@brandonyen7837]

I love this two tones colors 👍

[@PumpUptheJam81]

I used to sell these. It’s astonishing how popular the hybrid is simply because the non hybrid is so agricultural to drive...wheeezing its way down the road. Drive the Hybrid and it’s a night and day experience. Of course no “TRD” but most buyers of these cars see gravel in the worst case scenario.

[@Toyota4Life]

Man Toyota is KILLING it with this Generation Rav-4. From this TRD model... to the fastest in class PRIME model... to the best in class hybrid model even the good looking XSE model. This generation RAV-4 is a jack of all trades. No other car in its class offers this type of versatility for buyers. I can help but think about how cool a full blown TRD Pro Rav-4....

[@wigletron2846]

I'm getting a feeling that you might be a Toyota fanboy

[@kmulcair]

You would be a cake fan .... Perfection.

[@paulflindt]

Toyota TOTALLY needs to a TRD Off-Road Prius next!

[@rafa.gastro]

The music at the beginning is priceless

[@red_ashcroft]

The overhangs and height is what gives this vehicle it's limits in offroading.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Love it! Big hat, no cattle. Flip the script. Toyota can offer relative cheap base models because some customers are willing to pay top dollar for specialty trim.

[@JoeSwanikerFord]

That's a nice review. I think I will like the Rav 4 TRD off road instead of the prime.or adventure.

[@ndrwzheng]

Can you do a RAV4 Hybrid review and outline the engine noise/driveability of the hybrid vs. the gasoline model?

[@sammyjammy6647]

He never did

[@spacejesus570]

TRD is now a participation badge.

[@zaitcev0]

I did quite a bit of off-roading with RAV4 and it was getting damaged, especially at the front where I ripped off the plastic cover a couple of times. It didn't even take any rock crawling, just nosing into a wash. After the first eye-popping quote I started repairing the plastic instead of replacing the whole thing. What's funny though, I also had a Wrangler, which had a similar plastic thing in front (in Jeep it was called "the front air-dam"). But that think was almost indestructible. I don't know why it's so different versus the RAV4. Maybe just tiny differences in design that added some thicker ribs in critical locations of that plastic cover.

[@Bigngreen]

is this the same as the RAV4 Edge in Australia?

[@jcmclovin77388]

Is the same as the Adventure package AWD.

[@revmatchtv]

That was concise!

[@djcoronel]

love the klezmer!

[@silberpfeil8863]

Someone commenting on this channel called a Toyota TRD a TURD 💩 and I cannot unsee that now 🤐😃

[@billyhughes9776]

Was possibly me? I've been affectionately referring to my '15 4Runner TRD Pro as a TuRD since I got it and drop in the comments for any TRD Toyota review I watch.

[@CravenTheDarkLord]

Yes and GR is ..grrrr

[@rcpmac]

OK so I can TRD my 2021 plugin. Great!

[@elsaandnoah]

I’ve always loved the lunar rock colour plus white roof. It’s 2022 and I might finally put a deposit down and wait for RAV4 Prime but it probably won’t be available in this colour. We’ll see and I’ll be waiting years for a Prime anyway! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Blue_Flame_Raptor]

Rav 4 "offroad" comes out TFL: Raptor Killer?!?!?!?!

[@bigmarkdarula]

That 14 Raptor exactly

[@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

I bought a 2019 adventure model last July and wishes that if Toyota were going to come up with a sort of off-roadish trim level that they would’ve simply released the trd variant from the beginning (the 2019 redesign) and skipped the adventure all together. I mean I Love mine but the trd has literally everything that I was looking for and it’s essentially the adventure with a slightly improved suspension and better tires (all things that I’ll do after market). Awesome video though. (Maybe you could drive an adventure model and compare it to the trd???)

[@grizzle273463]

Is that Kletzmer music? I love that style

[@RAV4Adventures2024]

I own a 2024 TRD Off Road, in black, and am happy with my purchase. I bought it for the different looks, plus I live in the NC mountains where it snows a lot. My only complaint is the stock Falken Tires, that are a special 01A version and are completely useless for off road use (only about 1/4" tread). I replaced them with Standard Falken Tires, that are Severe Snow Rated, have a lot more tread but are the same noise level. I have no idea what Toyota was thinking putting these 01A crappy tires on an off road vehicle. Unfortunately, all the off road reviews you see for this vehicle, use these useless stock tires, which don't perform very well in mud or snow, so the reviews are a bit unfair.

[@MikeBriggs24]

I believe that the RAV4 TRD Off Road was meant to compete with the Subaru Outback and Forester demographic. Toyota has started to broaden the scope of the TRD brand to include more than the PRO package. In the case of the Avalon or Camry, the TRD badge indicates a slightly more sporty version of those vehicles. With the RAV4 TRD, it is slightly more off road capable then the other trim levels with also some different cosmetic differences.

[@TheGenovski]

I am here for the intro music!

[@connora6660]

Thought we would do some light off-roading

[@skarpaz]

Hey savage, do you think cars will ever trend towards simplicity? Or are we stuck down this dark road that is the modern vehicle.

[@ans05]

First time ive noticed no "in the shop without turbowski" :(

[@insatiable2rossi]

Yaaa.. anyone knows what happened to him? Are they not working together anymore? I have left a comment before asking about him, sadly noone answered. Found that lad very interesting to be honest

[@MykolaSternenkoDroneBoyHoleMan]

@@insatiable2rossi He's too busy afaik.

[@interpol007]

insatiable2rossi same here, no response either?

[@davidb708]

Yeah, it's been like that for the past few videos unfortunately

[@MykolaSternenkoDroneBoyHoleMan]

@@mikezerker6925 heard he's servicing VBIEDs.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

This was a tuff whip bro

[@FreeRangeLemon]

Hope to see a 2020 Subaru onyx review!

[@ifarhani]

How bad is the transmission jerking and how often does it occur? Really annoying? A deal breaker?

[@harrismi7]

Just wondering if people aspire to get a RAV4 or settle for a RAV4?

[@BugOnAChip]

Lmao I hope settle

[@James-il3tq]

Settle because of its practicality and reliability.

[@revnto7k]

I actually like the RAV.. If I had to buy an SUV I probably would buy that one.. I would just go with the XLE premium package but its cool they offer a TURD version like everything else..

[@perryang5755]

Is this urban Khaki color? Nice

[@saminn6870]

As a former Chicagoland resident, I miss Portillo's so much :(

[@sleeksilver]

Italian beef, dipped/wet, with extra sweet peppers. Oh god.

[@russelldewitt6742]

Do the eight-speed transmissions in these still have poor reliability?

[@knightmarel]

Does having a TRD rav 4 make you want to change your own oil, mark?

[@atulabraham1]

I can relate this car to Walter Wyte's Pontiac

[@nickwightman3735]

Does it come with avocado spread on paleo bread?

[@blackmount1]

A small glimmer of hope that maybe, Just maybe, SUVs might someday lean towards the direction they once were in the 80s, 90s with a focus on proper utility. The days of proper 4WD, big A/T tires, Skid Plates, and a reasonable amount of actual off-road capabilities. I.e. Montero Sport, Izusu Rodeo/Honda Passport, Toyota Land Cruiser, etc. but with Modern Technology and Refinement.

[@joelbosso1331]

Liked for the Portillo's cup

[@pedrorodrigueztube]

Hey man, what about the E30 bmw? All there is miata, brz and S2000. They are pretty popular, they are even called the gods chariot.

[@woolengrappler]

2009 RAV4 V6 engine is a beast

[@tedmich]

is there a V6 option?

[@radudeATL]

I laugh when he says he doesn't want to take up too much of my time. Time is all I have lol!

[@joseeduardo4327]

radudeATL I thought the same thing lol

[@MrMatthewJWilliams]

I’d like to see them go nuts and turn this into a modern fj40. Go big on the clearance, get serious about the under body and tires. Get a side swinging rear hatch with a full sized spare.

[@rightlanehog3151]

In other words you would like them to sell the basic, 2 door Prado they sell in other markets.

[@Swermie]

This polka gets me HOURD.

[@latinbeandip]

I feel like the TRD badge should be changed to THD for Handling...theres never any added power in their packages so whats the R for? all they add is red springs, black paint, red yarn.