2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review: a true EV alternative

If you're scared of EVs, the RAV4 Hybrid remains a wonderful alternate route

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

Legacy brands like Toyota have not made a significant long-term commitment to fully electric vehicles. They offer the bZ4X, which is jointly developed with Subaru, but that's it from the same brand that pioneered modern widespread hybrid technology. Honestly, is there even a reason to want an electric vehicle when they offer a car like the RAV4 Hybrid? After a week-long stint with one—including a road trip in frigid driving conditions (by spoiled Californian standards)—I averaged an astounding 39 MPG overall, besting previous records from past RAV4 Hybrids. With the added convenience of never having to worry about charging or wait times, this crossover could be the perfect choice for many drivers looking to save at either the pump or the plug.

An annoying, but frugal powertrain

If there’s one area where Toyota still needs improvement, it’s the refinement of their inline-four combustion engines. Other brands have made strides in producing punchy units with deeper-frequency sounds that don’t dominate and destroy the eardrums with their poor tone, but Toyota continues to churn out what can only be described as "little trash compactors." While this isn’t always apparent, accelerating onto freeways or applying heavy throttle highlights the issue. This is one area where fully-electric propulsion shines, as it eliminates such noise and vibrations altogether.

However, while the engine misses the mark in refinement, its efficiency is industry-leading. Achieving an impressive 39 MPG over a week of driving—with constant heater usage no less—is better than what I’ve seen from even the latest Prius or Civic Hybrid. The hybrid component also adds crucial midrange power, enhancing the car’s overall flexibility and drivability compared to the standard 2.5L gasoline-only version. With the gains in both economy and drivability, I don't know why the standard RAV4 is still even offered frankly. It’s also clear we’ve reached a new peak of hybrid integration, and with the RAV4 Hybrid being one of America’s most in-demand volume vehicles, Toyota’s strategy appears to be working for their profits.

An upscale RAV4, but others are better

The model I tested was a Limited trim—the top-shelf offering in the RAV4 lineup. The Blueprint paint job looks sharp, complemented by flashy trim pieces and larger wheels, but the interior truly stands out thanks to its bright SofTex (faux leather, but good variety of the fake stuff) seats. Past RAV4s often featured black interiors, which made the cabin feel cramped and dreary. This light color scheme, called Ash, exudes a premium vibe previously missing and enlarges the already spacious cabin.

That said, the interior isn’t perfect. There’s still an abundance of hard plastics and rubber controls that fail to deliver a luxurious feel, and the screen and other controls look dated. While this is undoubtedly a nicer RAV4 than previous iterations, it still falls short compared to competitors—most notably the Mazda CX-50, which easily outshines it in both design and refinement.

Comfortable road manners

The RAV4 was never intended to be an exciting vehicle to drive, nor did I expect it to be. Yet, its ability to cover ground comfortably is impressive. On the winding, coastal roads of Northern California’s Tomales Bay, the RAV4 handles confidently. It may lack tactile feedback, but its mechanical grip is sufficient for real-world scenarios, and a well-driven RAV4 can even embarrass overconfident drivers in their BMWs.

Comfort is the key here. The RAV4 handles challenging roads with ease, maintaining stability even on cloverleaf on-ramps where its AWD system shines. If you ever understeer off the road in a RAV4, it’s not the car—it’s definitely you.

Still, the ride quality has limitations. While pleasant on most surfaces, undulating roads can cause the soft suspension to oscillate excessively due to underdamped shock absorbers being unable to control the compression and release of the springs sufficiently. This is a minor issue and likely unnoticed by most drivers, but it highlights the limits of its engineering. For context, the last Hyundai Tucson I tested exhibited much worse behavior in similar scenarios, making the RAV4 a marked improvement in comparison.

Excellent road trip companion

The RAV4’s size feels just right, with the only reason to opt for something larger being the need for a third row of seats. Interior space is maximized cleverly, and the bright interior paired with a panoramic sunroof creates an airy and spacious atmosphere. Cargo space is equally impressive—packing for a weekend trip with bags and camping chairs still left the rear seats entirely vacant.

On the highway, the RAV4 Hybrid excels as a comfortable and relatively quiet cruiser. While some driving assists can be intrusive, and the warning chime for an unfastened seatbelt is obnoxiously loud, these quirks are overshadowed by its capability as a long-distance companion.

A boring but valid choice

The RAV4 Hybrid is easily the best RAV4 yet, but it faces stiff competition. Mazda, for instance, now offers the CX-50 Hybrid, which uses the same Toyota-sourced powertrain. While the Mazda’s fuel economy is slightly lower—by about 10-20%—it offers a more luxurious interior, sleeker design, and a superior driving experience.

By licensing their engine to Mazda, Toyota may have unintentionally created its own toughest competitor. For me, the CX-50 Hybrid is the easy choice. However, for those who prioritize peak fuel economy and value Toyota’s reliability, the RAV4 Hybrid remains an excellent option—and the pinnacle of what Toyota’s hybrids have achieved.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD

Price as-tested: $45,203

Pros: Amazing economy; Easy to drive

Cons: Never exciting; Interior lacks luxury for $45K

Basic specifications and dimensions

Engine & Performance

• Engine: 2.5L straight 4-cylinder hybrid

• Combined Horsepower: 219 hp

• Torque: 163 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm

• Continuously Variable Transmission

• All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

• Towing Capacity: 1,750 lbs

Fuel Economy

• City: 41 MPG

• Highway: 38 MPG

• Combined: 39 MPG

• 39 MPG Road Beat observed

Dimensions & Capacity

• Length: 181 inches

• Width: 73 inches

• Height: 67 inches

• Wheelbase: 106 inches

• Ground Clearance: 8.1 inches

• Curb Weight: Approximately 3,800 lbs

• Behind the rear seats (2nd row up): Approximately 37.6 cubic feet

• With rear seats folded (maximum): Approximately 69.8 cubic feet

• Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gallons

Interior Features

• Seating Capacity: 5

• Upholstery: SofTex-trimmed seats (faux leather)

• Front Seats: Heated and ventilated, 8-way power-adjustable with memory function

• Rear Seats: Heated outboard seats

• Infotainment System: 10.5-inch touchscreen with JBL 11-speaker audio system

• Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™

Safety & Driver Assistance

• Standard Safety Suite: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including:

  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

  • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist

  • Lane Tracing Assist

  • Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

  • Road Sign Assist

• Additional Safety Features: Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, Panoramic View Monitor (optional)

Pricing

• Starting MSRP: $40,605

• Price as-tested: $45,203 with destination

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