Did you know that the Toyota RAV4 is not only the best-selling vehicle in the Toyota lineup but is also the best-selling SUV in America? This popular SUV got its start in the late 1980s when Toyota set out to create a vehicle that combined the comfort of a sedan with the off-road capability of an SUV. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? The Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD, or the RAV4 as we know it today, was born, and drivers reaped the benefits of Toyota’s ingenuity and innovation. The RAV4 paved the way for modern crossovers and earned its place on the road as well as a prized spot here at Romeoville Toyota, your premier Toyota RAV4 dealer.
Here at Romeoville Toyota, you will find the latest lineup of RAV4s and an extensive selection of used and certified pre-owned models that make us the best Toyota dealer around. Don’t believe us? Just check out our virtual showroom or head on over to visit our dealership in person. Here you’ll see the inventory that attracts customers everywhere from Joliet and Naperville to Orland Park, Aurora, Minooka, and beyond.
Dedicated to putting our customers first, we are here to help you find the best RAV4 available, but our service to you doesn’t stop there. We’re what you’d call a “one-stop-shop” or a comprehensive Toyota center that can handle all of your RAV4 and Toyota needs, from choosing the best vehicle for your lifestyle out of our extensive inventory to offering you the best prices in town to overseeing routine maintenance that will keep your vehicle on the road for many years to come. This is part of what makes us the best Toyota dealer in the area.
Long before it earned its place as the best-selling vehicle in the Toyota lineup, the RAV4 was nothing more than a concept car in the late 1980s. At the time, Toyota set out to design a light, off-road capable SUV equipped with the interior comfort and luxury of a sedan. The answer was the RAV Four concept SUV that made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1989. While the model showed promise, Toyota spent the next four years modifying the SUV before putting the final touches on the first-generation RAV4 that made its official debut in Japan and Europe in 1994.
The RAV4 made its way to America in 1996 and quickly found a loyal following thanks to an electric option that enticed California drivers and a convertible option that delivered exceptional power and an immersive driving experience like no other Toyota at the time. By the new millennium, the second generation RAV4 saw further updates as Toyota updated its powertrain and eliminated the two-door option in the American market. These upgrades earned the RAV4 ongoing praise across the industry and helped it to become a more mainstream SUV option.
With the mindset that bigger is better, Toyota gave the third-generation RAV4 more power and extended the American model by 14 inches to add a third row which, to be honest, was cramped for most adults. This generation also saw the return of an electric model as well as the introduction of a powerful V6 engine option. Couple with improvements to the handling, this led to MotorTrend dubbing the third generation “a sports car in hiking boots.” Despite these upgrades, however, Toyota drivers weren’t impressed with the larger SUV. This led Toyota to return the RAV4 to its roots with its fourth generation, which meant eliminating the third row to shrink the SUV a few inches and nixing the V6 engine. With the SUV closer to its original size, Toyota modified the rear by moving the spare tire from the rear gate to underneath the floor.
The fifth-generation RAV4 saw widespread upgrades from its foundation up with the introduction of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) that improved the RAV4’s handling and ride. This improvement paved the way for off-road models like the TRD Pro Off-Road that’s designed to attract novice off-road enthusiasts who need a reliable commuter vehicle and a light, off-road rig. This generation also saw the introduction of the RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid that pushed the RAV4’s popularity even further to become Toyota’s top seller in America.
Toyota knows how to attract consumers, and that’s by offering something for everyone, which is exactly what you’ll find in the 2021 Toyota RAV4 lineup. The LE base model is affordably priced and is a great introduction to the Toyota brand. From there, Toyota delivers plenty of options with the XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited, and TRD Off-Road, the latter two of which are the top of the line when it comes to luxury and accessories. The Limited is great if you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury and convenience, while the TRD Off-Road equips the SUV with everything needed to venture off the beaten path.
Two of the most notable models in the 2021 RAV4 fleet are the Prime and the Hybrid. The models reflect the lessons that Toyota learned from the Prius over the years. These lessons led to two powerful hybrid options that deliver outstanding power and efficiency, with the plug-in Prime delivering an award-winning 42-mile electric-only driving range. What’s even more impressive is that the RAV4 Prime boasts 302 horsepower, making it the second-fastest vehicle in the 2021 Toyota lineup after the two-seat GR Supra sports car.
Which RAV4 caught your eye? Are you looking for a used model, or do you have your eye on the all-new Prime? Whether you’re looking for a used vehicle, a certified pre-owned, or an all-new RAV4, the team here at Romeoville Toyota is ready to help. As your RAV4 dealer, you’ll find that we offer a comprehensive suite of services that begins with our unmatched selection of Toyotas and extends to our outstanding service, collision, and parts centers where our certified technicians can tackle any repair, big or small.
Why does this make us special? We know firsthand that buying a vehicle can be a stressful process, but that stress doesn’t compare to the stress of dealing with a car that needs to be repaired. We’re here to take the guesswork out of your entire experience as a Toyota owner by delivering a one-stop-shopping experience that handles all your needs from the initial sale to ensuring your Toyota runs its best for years down the road.