2025 Toyota RAV4 evaluation | CarExpert

The Toyota RAV4 has been hybrid-only for a while now, and it was virtually Australia’s favorite automotive in 2024.

Be aware: That is an up to date model of a evaluation first printed in August. Spare some minor specification tweaks, there haven’t been any adjustments to the pricing.

We now have up to date key particulars such because the specs with essentially the most up-to-date data obtainable. Learn the unique model of this evaluation right here.

WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid

The Japanese model is doubling down on its fuel-saving hybrid tech, and has now dropped petrol engines throughout its core passenger and crossover lineups that had current hybrid choices.

Whereas this may occasionally look like an enormous deal, a whopping 94.2 per cent of RAV4s bought within the first half of final 12 months had been outfitted with the two.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. That is a fair larger cut up than the bigger Kluger (76.9 per cent) and smaller Corolla Cross (85.8 per cent).

In comparison with the previous few years, Toyota now claims to have a way more plentiful provide of RAV4s which has resulted in wait instances nearer to 4 months. It’s a far cry from the greater than 24-month look ahead to top-spec hybrid examples within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to this, the RAV4 was the second best-selling automobile total in 2024, behind solely the Ford Ranger. It even outsold the Toyota HiLux.

When the present RAV4 debuted domestically in 2019 it was nicely forward of the pack, however it hasn’t actually modified since its newest replace in 2022.

There are additionally significantly extra hybrid choices within the hot-selling mid-size SUV phase in 2024 – is the RAV4 nonetheless the phase benchmark? Learn alongside to seek out out.

How does the Toyota RAV4 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota RAV4 towards equally sized automobiles.

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RAV4

How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 price?

On check is the flagship RAV4 Edge Hybrid which solely is available in all-wheel drive – priced from $58,360 plus on-road prices.

To see how the Toyota RAV4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

What’s the Toyota RAV4 like on the within?

Very similar to it has been for a couple of years now – blocky and user-friendly.

The RAV4 is a straightforward automotive to get out and in of due to its high-riding SUV profile. That is useful for these with restricted mobility and may’t step too far up or down right into a automobile.

When you’re in you’re introduced with some somewhat inoffensive-looking fake leather-based seats that Toyota dubs SofTex. They’re mushy to the contact however I’m not sure how they’ll final in future as our tester had solely 6000km and we observed some creasing on the bolsters.

The motive force’s seat has 10 methods of electrical adjustment which is lots discover the right seating place for most individuals. I personally like how a lot thigh help you may dial in, because it helps these with longer legs sit comfortably.

I additionally like how a lot lumbar help you may both pump up or deflate. I injured my again just lately and I by no means acquired uncomfortable behind the wheel like I’ve in a few of the RAV4’s rivals. The entrance seats are heated however even of their highest seating they don’t get very popular. There’s additionally air flow which is useful throughout summer season.

A useful function in regards to the RAV4 is it remembers what you had the seating heating/cooling set as while you final drove the automotive. This implies you don’t must smoosh the button to show it on once more.

Forward of the motive force is the acquainted Toyota steering wheel that feels good within the hand, although after holding it for some time made my palms get a little bit clammy on the leather-based rim. It will be good if there have been some perforations to assist regulate hand warmth.

The steering wheel doesn’t supply heating which is a little bit weird given the Edge is the flagship variant within the vary. A lot of its rivals supply this function, which is nice while you first hop in on a chilly morning. All of the buttons on the steering wheel are logically positioned and have a clicky motion when pressed – this makes it satisfying to work together with.

Behind the steering wheel is a full-width 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that appears nice and presents high-resolution. The structure is simplistic however you may customise a couple of completely different widgets to show numerous driving data, in addition to themes.

The digital instrument cluster is nowhere close to as configurable as Volkswagen Group automobiles nevertheless, and a majority of the customisation choices are locked when you begin driving, which is a basic Japanese automotive trait.

What do look good are the transitions that happen while you change drive modes. They take over all the display screen and have animations that present the RAV4 driving.

Shifting throughout, the centrepiece of the dashboard is the ten.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It’s a incredible unit that’s a far cry from what Toyota used to supply.

It seems to have loads of processing energy, which suggests it boots up shortly on startup, and new pages load snappily. It’s additionally very responsive to the touch inputs which ought to appease iPad customers.

The menu construction within the touchscreen is easy and clear, which means it’s arduous to get misplaced in. Not like the older touchscreen nevertheless, there aren’t any bodily shortcut buttons on both facet.

As a substitute there’s solely a singular quantity knob which is annoyingly on the motive force’s facet and doesn’t present any ratcheting suggestions when turned. That is a lot better than press buttons nevertheless.

By way of smartphone mirroring, the RAV4 presents wired and wi-fi variations of each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max linked wirelessly I didn’t expertise any dropouts throughout my week of testing, which is fairly shocking as I drive by recognized interference factors on my approach to the workplace which catch numerous methods out repeatedly.

Satellite tv for pc navigation is constructed into the infotainment and is very easy to make use of. It’s additionally linked to the web which suggests there’s stay site visitors and routing.

There’s additionally a wi-fi telephone charger tucked subtly in entrance of the centre console. It charged my plus-sized telephone fairly nicely, although nothing secured it in place which brought about it to slip round and off the charging pad at instances.

Trying across the cabin the RAV4 Edge stands out with its orange highlights. It’s an acquired style that I perceive won’t be for everybody. It positively differentiates this flagship variant from the remainder of the vary.

I’m an enormous fan of the chunky, but funky local weather management setup that has cartoonishly massive rubber temperature knobs. It’s additionally good to have clearly labelled bodily buttons for each different HVAC-related perform, as so many carmakers at the moment are integrating these into touchscreens.

One unusual inclusion in higher-spec RAV4s is a digital rear-view mirror. This doesn’t actually make sense on this automotive, except you could have the boot loaded up, as all-round visibility is great due to the big quantities of glass.

Nearly all of the primary contact factors together with the armrests and dashboard are mushy, although understandably there are tougher plastics down decrease. I do want there have been softer finishes the place my legs rested on the centre console.

One thing I’ve by no means observed in different RAV4s I’ve sampled is the quantity of flex a few of the inside components have. Pushing the centre console backward and forward causes it to maneuver considerably, in addition to the local weather management pod.

Regardless of this, there have been no loud creaks or rattles within the cabin all through my testing, which leads me to wonder if the quantity of flex is meant.

Shifting to the second row there’s a substantial quantity of house for a mid-size SUV. It’s a somewhat good place to be as you may stretch out and chill out for lengthy journeys – a equally sized sedan presents more room, nevertheless.

At a leggy 182cm I had plenty of leg-, head-, shoulder- and head house within the second row of the RAV4. Due to the big facet home windows there’s additionally loads of outward visibility.

It will be very straightforward to have two adults within the second row, and pushing it to a few is doable for essentially the most half. Having three massive adults sat throughout the bench would get a tad squishy, nevertheless.

By way of second-row facilities, there are air vents mounted on the again of the centre console, USB-C ports, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. There’s just one map pocket on the entrance passenger seatback, in addition to small door pockets.

On the again there’s an influence tailgate however it takes perpetually to open and beeps incessantly all through the method. It’s a ache if you happen to’ve parked in a busy carpark.

As soon as the tailgate is open nevertheless, the RAV4 Hybrid has a somewhat massive boot. At 542-580 litres with the rear seats upright, it’s a extremely usable house that’s each large and deep.

There’s a retractable cargo cowl that’s nice at hiding issues you could have stowed away within the boot, although it does really feel a little bit low cost and flimsy. I virtually anticipate one thing a little bit nicer in a automotive that prices $60,000.

Lastly, below the boot flooring there’s a brief space-saver spare wheel. This can be a good inclusion as as growing quantity of rivals aren’t coming with a spare wheel in any respect.

To see how the Toyota RAV4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

What’s below the bonnet?

The RAV4 Edge is solely provided with the two.5-litre hybrid system and AWD as commonplace. Different RAV4 Hybrid fashions in Australia additionally supply a extra reasonably priced front-wheel drive choice.

All through my testing it was freezing in Melbourne, which meant the heater was cranking and the heated seats had been on their highest setting. It additionally meant the petrol engine wasn’t keen to be switched off for very lengthy.

Throughout one explicit five-minute journey up the highway to seize a espresso the petrol engine didn’t change off in any respect, leading to a mean gasoline consumption of 13L/100km. On the flip facet, whereas travelling into the workplace for about 45 minutes in heavy peak-hour site visitors I achieved 4.4L/100km, which is incredible for a automobile this dimension.

To see how the Toyota RAV4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

How does the Toyota RAV4 drive?

While you begin up the RAV4 Hybrid with the push-button starter, there’s a singular beep that permits you to know the automotive is able to be pushed. A ‘prepared’ icon additionally shows on the digital instrument cluster.

The rationale for the beginning beep sound is as a result of the automotive begins silently with out the petrol engine. It sometimes fires to life quietly a second or two nevertheless to heat up the engine fluids.

The petrol engine will keep on for a good whereas, particularly if it’s bone chilly, to make sure it’s at working temperature and to cost up the battery a tad. Realistically this solely takes a few minutes.

Preliminary acceleration within the RAV4 Hybrid is often below electrical energy, particularly if you happen to’re gentle on the throttle. On a hill or with tougher acceleration the petrol engine will kick on virtually instantly, although.

In all honesty I anticipated the RAV4 Hybrid to supply extra electrical oomph, particularly as this mannequin has an electrical motor-generator on the rear axle. As a substitute it very readily calls upon the petrol engine to help with acceleration.

That is seemingly right down to how Toyota nonetheless equips the RAV4 with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, somewhat than a extra refined and energy-dense lithium-ion unit. Different Toyota hybrids with the model’s newer tech lean heavier on the electrified parts for even higher effectivity.

Fortunately the RAV4 Hybrid’s petrol engine does fireplace somewhat seamlessly. Should you weren’t paying full consideration you seemingly wouldn’t understand it has come to life till it begins revving.

There’s a ‘Sport’ mode that may be chosen which makes acceleration really feel snappier, although it feels prefer it’s towards this automotive’s fuel-saving ethos. With this in thoughts, the ‘Eco’ drive mode is healthier suited.

Regardless of quoting a complete system energy output of 163kW, the RAV4 Hybrid AWD doesn’t really feel overly quick from behind the wheel. As a substitute it appears like you should coax it to get to hurry, and while you push it tougher the engine revs flare.

It doesn’t take lengthy for petrol engine’s notice to get outdated. Given the RAV4 is provided with an digital constantly variable transmission (e-CVT) it has an annoying drone that simply hovers on the identical revs. This isn’t unusual for this transmission kind because it sometimes prioritises effectivity over efficiency or engagement.

When you attain cruising speeds round city, the engine often switches off relying on the battery cost and outdoors ambient temperature, amongst different components. One of many few instances the engine would refuse to modify off nevertheless, was once I had the heater and heated seat cranking in virtually freezing Melbourne climate.

EV cruising within the RAV4 Hybrid could be very quiet and serene as there’s solely the odd electrical motor hum. It’s virtually like a recreation to eke out as a lot electrical driving as doable to maximise effectivity and in addition minimise the droning of the petrol engine.

There’s a devoted ‘EV’ drive mode however it can change off as quickly as you press the accelerator that bit too arduous, or when battery cost is just too low.

Each electrical motors assist with preliminary acceleration, however as quickly as you get above 40km/h solely the entrance electrical motor drives the automotive. It reactivates round sure corners for added safety, however in the end it makes the rear electrical motor a little bit redundant.

Regenerative braking on this automobile solely has one setting, however it strikes a pleasant stability between being too weak or too sturdy. Underneath gentle deceleration solely the entrance electrical motor regenerates power, however letting off the accelerator utterly lets the rear electrical motor assist out.

The regenerative braking additionally negates that annoying CVT velocity creeping you generally get when travelling downhill.

There’s a diploma of added regenerative braking constructed into the brake pedal, although the transition to the bodily brakes when coming to a whole cease is usually a little jarring. It doesn’t take lengthy for the battery pack to cost up, which is good as a result of this equals extra EV driving.

Round city and within the metropolis, the RAV4’s trip could be very compliant regardless of using on bigger 19-inch alloy wheels. Even sharp potholes and velocity bumps don’t unsettle this automotive like they do in another mid-size SUVs.

You do hear what the suspension is doing nevertheless as a result of the automotive is already so silent. This doesn’t damage the driving expertise however it’s extra pronounced.

The steering has a pleasant weight to it when tossing the automotive round on low-speed streets, whereas not being too unwieldy to twirl in tight carparks.

As commonplace, the RAV4 Edge comes with entrance and rear parking sensors, in addition to a surround-view digicam with incredible high quality and a number of views which is somewhat useful in tight buying centre carparks.

Getting out on the open highway, the two.5-litre petrol engine stays on just about on a regular basis, although the electrical motors do assist cut back the load and reduce gasoline consumption. It’s additionally when the engine drone is most obvious.

At instances the engine does change off at larger speeds, particularly when travelling downhill.

The best velocity I used to be capable of drive on electrical energy alone was round 80km/h. These moments had been solely fleeting because the engine fired again to life very quickly as soon as the electrical motors had been out of their depth.

The RAV4 is a really snug automotive to cruise the freeway in with poised and compliant steering. It’s additionally considerably dynamic, though the added heft of the electrified parts is noticeable on sweeping high-speed corners.

On the protection entrance, the adaptive cruise management system is nice. It does default to the furthest distance each time it’s activated for the primary time although, which is a little bit irritating.

The lane-keep help is basically good at holding you within the lane if you happen to begin drifting out, although it might probably generally intervene incorrectly; whereas the lane centring perform is usually a little too hands-on for my liking. Fortunately it’s capable of be switched off for smoother freeway and freeway cruising.

Lastly, the RAV4 Edge Hybrid has fantastically brilliant LED headlights. That is nice if you happen to stay in a rural or regional space and wish to have the ability to see far into the space.

There’s additionally an auto high-beam setting that appears nice on paper however in actuality it’s a little bit tentative. There have been moments the place it will flip off high-beam in a short time, even when it detected a brilliant avenue signal, whereas there have been others the place there can be an oncoming automotive and I’d need to manually dip the lights.

To see how the Toyota RAV4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

What do you get?

The RAV4 is obtainable in 5 completely different trim ranges – on check is the flagship Edge variant.

RAV4 GX highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels (gentle gray)
• House-saver spare
• Automated projector LED headlights
• Automated high-beam
• LED entrance fog lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear mud flaps
• ‘Premium’ steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster display screen
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Digital radio
• Material upholstery
• Push-button begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Rear centre armrest

RAV4 GXL provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels (darkish silver)
• Rear privateness glass
• Entrance mudflaps
• Roof rails
• ‘Premium’ gear lever
• Proximity entry
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Wi-fi telephone charger

RAV4 XSE provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels (gloss black)
• Energy tailgate
• SofTex upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• 10-way energy driver’s seat
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system

RAV4 Cruiser provides:

• Sunroof
• Energy-folding exterior mirrors
• 9-speaker JBL sound system
• Leather-based upholstery
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Driver’s seat reminiscence
• Ambient lighting
• Digital rear-view mirror

RAV4 Edge provides:

• 19-inch alloy wheels (matte gray)
• SofTex upholstery
• 4-way manually adjustable passenger seat
• Removes driver reminiscence perform
• Removes energy passenger seat

Is the Toyota RAV4 secure?

The RAV4 has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, primarily based on checks carried out by Euro NCAP in 2019.

Customary security gear consists of:

• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Daytime bike owner detection
• Intersection help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Lane Hint Help (lane centring)
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Emergency Steering Help
• Pace signal recognition
• Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
• Driver’s knee airbag
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance and rear parking sensors

Cruiser and above obtain a surround-view digicam.

How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 price to run?

The RAV4 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Toyota doesn’t supply complementary roadside help like many different manufacturers.

To see how the Toyota RAV4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota RAV4

For a very long time now, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been the default choice for individuals who need a cost-effective mid-size SUV.

Nonetheless, the competitors is now nicely and actually scorching, with new hybrid rivals arriving seemingly each month or so.

The RAV4 Hybrid does stay because the benchmark within the phase in lots of regards, however you shouldn’t get complacent and never contemplate different equally sized and priced automobiles.

The Honda CR-V e:HEV, for instance, mightn’t be as environment friendly however its petrol engine fires to life extra seamlessly than the RAV4 Hybrid’s whereas additionally providing a extra participating drive.

Moreover, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid twins additionally type as eager rivals which can be price a glance.

Trying solely on the RAV4 vary, the flagship Edge variant on check right here now not has any main differentiating issue because it’s now not obtainable with the non-hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and eight-speed auto.

As a substitute, it solely appears to be like powerful on the surface and has a variety of orange inside highlights which mightn’t be to everybody’s tastes. It additionally misses out on sure gear provided within the penultimate Cruiser variant.

With this in thoughts, both the RAV4 Cruiser or XSE type because the choose of the vary, particularly with the lighter and extra environment friendly front-wheel drive hybrid powertrain.

Considering shopping for a Toyota RAV4? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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