On the Rav4, the maintenance penalty is not as high vs. a RWD/AWD configuration. He's pretty much only going to pay the mpg penalty.
When the AWD axles are the front, when coupled with the more complex front suspension and steering, you get more wear to the 1/2 shafts, boots, and other suspension components. They will often require replacement between 100k and 200k miles.
Since his AWD "bonus" axles are the rear, this is greatly reduced as his FWD maintenance is unchanged. I have Audis and other AWD vehicles since the mid 90s and the benefits on dry pavement are there, too. Unless he's into hypermiling, go with the AWD.
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This is going back a ways, but I ended up with a $3500 repair to the AWD system on my 2006 RAV4.
That's depressing. My mother had a company Rav4 from that vintage and it was NOT an impressive car from a driver's perspective, though it did make it to 100k w/o issue at all. Hers was a 4 circa 2009/10,and saw a lot of winter miles in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington mountains in winter. I understand the quality is much better on them lately.