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, adding a few standard features for $1,470 more.

The RAV4 LE and XLE offer nearly identical performance and off-roading capabilities, but the LE with AWD is slightly more fuel-efficient.
The XLE offers some subtle upgrades and more customization options in terms of comfort and convenience.
The XLE comes with a few more standard safety features than the LE, but both trims earn top safety ratings.

Price: The Rav4 LE is cheaper

The 2022 Rav4 LE trim 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 LE and XLE are the two lowest trims available for the Toyota Rav4—meaning they’re the two most affordable. Here are the prices for the Rav4’s other trim levels:

Toyota Rav4 XLE Premium

: $31,335

Toyota Rav4 Adventure

: $33,230

Toyota Rav4 Limited

: $35,475

Toyota Rav4 TRD off-road

: $36,915

Keep in mind: Other options, package upgrades, or custom mods will increase your Rav4’s price tag. For example, the LE and XLE are available with hybrid powertrains for an additional $2,600.

Performance specs: the LE and XLE have identical powertrains

Both trims have 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.

Both the standard and the Hybrid Rav4 LE and XLE offer a smooth and competent ride, but it’s not the most exciting. Here are a few of the LE and XLE’s shared performance specs:

203 horsepower

184 lb-ft of torque

0-60 acceleration time: about 8.0 seconds

Maximum towing capacity: 1,500 pounds

Eco-friendly options: 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

163 lb-ft of torque

0-60 time of 7.4 seconds

Maximum towing capacity of 1,750 pounds

Off-road capabilities: The LE and XLE allow for minimal adventure

Both the Toyota Rav4 LE and XLE aren’t suited for heavy off-roading, but you should be fine driving down a gravel path here and there with the right configuration.

Pay attention to the following specs if you’re interested in taking your Toyota Rav4 off-road:

Drivetrain: AWD is much better suited for off-road driving than FWD because it provides more traction. Both the Toyota RAV4 LE and XLE can have all-wheel drive.

Ground clearance: Typically, you want at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance to tackle uneven roads. Toyota Rav4 ground clearance starts at 8.4 inches for the LE and XLE trims.

Performance features: 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 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.

You’d likely have a better time taking the Toyota Rav4 TRD off-road than any other Rav4 trim options.

Fuel and mileage: The LE is slightly more efficient

There are some slight fuel economy variations for the LE vs XLE, depending on the powertrain you have.

	Front-wheel drive MPG	All-wheel drive MPG	Hybrid MPG
2022 RAV4 LE	27 city/35 highway/30 combined	27 city/34 highway/30 combined	41 city/38 highway/40 combined
2022 RAV4 XLE	27 city/25 highway/30 combined	27 city/33 highway/29 combined	41 city/38 highway/40 combined

Interior features: The XLE features subtle upgrades

Both the LE and XLE Rav4 can comfortably seat up to five passengers and come with competitive cargo space of 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:

Spec	Dimension
Total passenger volume	98.9 cubic feet
Front seat headroom	39.5 inches
Front seat legroom	41 inches
Front seat shoulder room	57.8 inches
Front seat hip room	54.3 inches
Rear seat headroom	39.5 inches
Rear seat legroom	37.8 inches
Rear seat shoulder room	56.4 inches
Rear seat headroom	47.7 inches
Minimum cargo capacity behind rear seats	37.5 cubic feet
Maximum cargo capacity behind front seats	69.8 cubic feet

Both the Rav4 LE and XLE use a simple fabric upholstery and feature a 60-40 folding split bench in the rear seats. The Rav4 LE and XLE differ most in their interiors when it comes to the finishing touches:

Climate control: The LE offers manual air conditioning, while the XLE subs in a dual-zone automatic climate control system.

Functionality: The LE features a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, which the XLE upgrades to an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.

Materials: The XLE adds a nice finishing touch of embossed seat inserts to the simple fabric upholstery.

Available upgrades: The XLE can be upgraded with heated seats, although you’ll need the XLE Premium if you want to sub the cloth with SofTex synthetic leather.

MORE: Vehicle trim level options and packages, explained

Technology and safety features: The XLE excels

Technology: Both the Rav4 LE and XLE come equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and quite the setup:

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Amazon Alexa

SiriusXM, and

Bluetooth compatibility

USB connectivity

Six-speaker audio system

Steering wheel control buttons

Backup camera

While the LE has only one USB port, the XLE has five. The Rav4 XLE also features a Smart Key System that adds push-button start and proximity entry to keyless entry for better accessibility.

Safety features: Every Toyota Rav4 comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver assistance features. Even the entry-level LE scores 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:

Pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection

Adaptive cruise control

Lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist

LED headlights with automatic high beams

The Toyota Rav4 XLE also includes blind-spot monitoring (BSM) and rear-cross traffic alert (RCTA), but you can add these to the Rav4 LE for an additional $680.

Package upgrades: The XLE is more customizable

The only available upgrade packages for the Rav4 LE are:

BSM/RCTA safety feature package: $680

Rear cargo area cover: $90

The Rav4 XLE 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

Limited options: 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.