Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Toyota RAV4 review – a sensible hybrid SUV with a long warranty

"The hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 will appeal thanks to a newly striking design, strong efficiency and long warranty”

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.5 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • PHEV efficiency
  • Bold new looks
  • Functional interior

Cons

  • Poor infotainment system
  • Limited model range
  • No seven-seat option

Verdict – is the Toyota RAV4 a good car?

For its latest outing the Toyota RAV4 transformed from a rather dull wallflower into a striking mid-size SUV with hints of the bold Toyota C-HR crossover. Not only does it look far more interesting, but the RAV4 is now only available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, and both versions should prove affordable to run. It's practical, easy to drive and comes with a long warranty, but its interior and infotainment system both feel somewhat dated and it lacks refinement at times.

Toyota RAV4 models, specs and alternatives

The slightly anonymous design of the previous RAV4 has been replaced by boxy wheel arches, a squared-off nose with an aggressively large grille, and an abundance of angular slashes and edges in the bodywork. In standard trim, silver bodywork accents give the car a typically rugged SUV look, with higher trim level models getting a blacked-out roof and door pillars.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Toyota smartened up the car’s styling in 2022 with a new headlight design, a refreshed grille and blockier fog light surrounds. There are just three trim levels: entry-level Design and higher-spec Excel models, along with the sportily-styled GR Sport trim sitting at the top of the range.

While the design of the current RAV4 is potentially divisive, it's certainly more appealing and less anonymous than the old car. The RAV4 did need to stand out more than it did before, particularly when the car’s numerous rivals – including the Skoda Karoq, Ford Kuga, BMW X3, Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008 – make for a very competitive class. The RAV4 costs from a whisker under £40,000 in Design trim and a ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain, while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) starts from just over £44,000.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

While not as daring as the exterior styling, the inside of the RAV4 is perfectly suited to family life thanks to sturdy materials and excellent quality, along with neat touches like rubberised rotary controls. The entry-level trim has plenty of features and the old eight-inch infotainment display has thankfully been dropped in favour of a faster, more usable 10.5-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration has been standard for a while now, so hooking up a smartphone is no trouble.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Aside from picking a colour and trim level, your only choices when buying a RAV4 are whether to go for front or four-wheel drive, or the PHEV option. Fuel economy of over 45mpg is possible for the hybrid, which is sure to impress private buyers, and company-car drivers will appreciate the low CO2 emissions figures of the RAV4 plug-in hybrid, which place the car in lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) bandings and gives it a lower first-year VED (road tax) bill.

The plug-in hybrid RAV4 is in another league again when it comes to efficiency figures, managing up to 282.5mpg with CO2 emissions of just 22g/km. You'll need to keep its battery topped up to achieve anything close to this but it's impressive nonetheless. Alternatively, the Japanese firm now offers a RAV4-sized electric SUV called the bZ4X if you want zero-emission driving with a Toyota badge.

The Toyota wins back points for practicality, with a powered hatchback, fitted with the Design trim and above, revealing a sizeable 580-litre boot. A stretched interior also means adults will be able to travel more comfortably in the back, even if the RAV4 is smaller than the huge Skoda Kodiaq and lacks a seven-seat option. What might sweeten the appeal of the RAV4 further is Toyota’s class-leading ‘Relax’ warranty, which provides cover for up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volvo XC60 review – left-field mid-size premium SUV
Volvo XC60 front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
21 Nov 2024

Volvo XC60 review – left-field mid-size premium SUV

New DS electric SUV coming soon with Tesla-beating 466-mile range
DS electric SUV teaser front quarter
News
21 Nov 2024

New DS electric SUV coming soon with Tesla-beating 466-mile range

Volkswagen ID.3 review - solid EV, but infotainment lets it down
Volkswagen ID.3 facelift UK
In-depth reviews
20 Nov 2024

Volkswagen ID.3 review - solid EV, but infotainment lets it down

Renault Captur review – a stylish, good-value small SUV
Renault Captur front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
19 Nov 2024

Renault Captur review – a stylish, good-value small SUV

Most Popular

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

New Jaguar GT teased: upcoming EV looks like no Jag that’s come before
Jaguar Design Vision Concept teaser
News
21 Nov 2024

New Jaguar GT teased: upcoming EV looks like no Jag that’s come before

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

More on RAV4

Top 10 most reliable cars 2024
Most reliable cars
Best cars
31 Jul 2024

Top 10 most reliable cars 2024

The 2024 Driver Power owner’s survey has revealed the UK’s most reliable cars – here’s the top 10
Best used SUVs to buy in 2024
Top 10 best used SUVs
Best cars
5 Jul 2024

Best used SUVs to buy in 2024

There are plenty of great used SUVs to choose from – we pick the 10 models that you should be looking at
New Toyota RAV4 GR Sport is a racing-inspired family SUV
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport - front 3/4
News
21 Oct 2022

New Toyota RAV4 GR Sport is a racing-inspired family SUV

New sporty trim level for Toyota’s RAV4 hybrid family SUV gets an aggressive bodykit and subtle handling tweaks
New 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure revealed
Toyota RAV4 Adventure
News
14 Sep 2021

New 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure revealed

New RAV4 model introduces Toyota’s 2022 upgrades for its rival to the Hyundai Tucson
Toyota RAV4 PHEV lineup expanded with new entry-level Design model
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
News
26 May 2021

Toyota RAV4 PHEV lineup expanded with new entry-level Design model

The Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid combines hot hatch performance and 46 miles of electric range
New Suzuki Across plug-in hybrid SUV starts at £45,599
News
20 Oct 2020

New Suzuki Across plug-in hybrid SUV starts at £45,599

The Suzuki Across is a rebadged Toyota RAV4 PHEV with 46-mile range
New Toyota RAV4 Black Edition joins range in October
News
31 Jul 2020

New Toyota RAV4 Black Edition joins range in October

Special edition RAV4 goes on sale in October with darkened styling and trim
Top 3 used comfortable SUVs for £9,000
Tips and advice
27 Apr 2020

Top 3 used comfortable SUVs for £9,000

“Dear Carbuyer, I’m looking for a medium-sized SUV that’s comfortable and relaxing to drive, what can you recommend for £9,000?”
Skip advert
Advertisement
Top 3 low-emission SUVs for £500 a month
Tips and advice
1 Nov 2019

Top 3 low-emission SUVs for £500 a month

“Dear Carbuyer, I want a low-emission SUV that is family friendly and well-equipped. What does £500 a month buy me?”
Toyota RAV4 SUV 2019: price, specification and on-sale date
News
27 Feb 2019

Toyota RAV4 SUV 2019: price, specification and on-sale date

The all-new Toyota RAV4 has arrived, starting at £29,635
Toyota RAV4 SUV (2013-2019)
In-depth reviews
2 Jan 2019

Toyota RAV4 SUV (2013-2019)

"The Toyota RAV4 is a practical and well equipped SUV that's affordable to run and comes with a reassuring warranty"
2018 Toyota RAV4 to gain hybrid power across range
News
22 Sep 2017

2018 Toyota RAV4 to gain hybrid power across range

RAV4 Hybrid – previously reserved for plusher models – is now offered with all trim levels
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review (2013-2018)
Toyota RAV4
In-depth reviews
7 Aug 2017

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review (2013-2018)

“The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is practical and safe, but its small battery puts it at a serious disadvantage next to plug-in hybrid SUVs”
Skoda Superb crowned best new car to own
News
7 Jun 2017

Skoda Superb crowned best new car to own

The results are in for Carbuyer’s Driver Power survey and it’s a one-two finish for Skoda, with Lexus scooping bronze
Toyota RAV4 recall: Over 48,000 UK cars affected
News
18 Feb 2016

Toyota RAV4 recall: Over 48,000 UK cars affected

Toyota is recalling 48,616 UK examples of the RAV4 SUV for a seatbelt problem
Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV revealed
News
7 Apr 2015

Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV revealed

A hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4 small SUV shown to public at New York Motor Show
Toyota RAV4 Business Edition revealed
News
20 Jan 2015

Toyota RAV4 Business Edition revealed

A new Business Edition trim is added to the RAV4 as part of a package of updates to the SUV range
Skip advert
Advertisement
Toyota recalls 35,124 UK cars
News
9 Apr 2014

Toyota recalls 35,124 UK cars

Toyota Yaris, RAV4, Hilux and Urban Cruiser models recalled amid safety concerns
Toyota RAV4 SUV (2006-2012)
In-depth reviews
28 Jun 2013

Toyota RAV4 SUV (2006-2012)

“The RAV4 is a solidly built and reliable family car with lots of space and decent off-road capability.”      

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024