Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2020 long term review

We comprehensively test the new Toyota RAV4 in hybrid all-wheel-drive form over four months. Is the new RAV4 the best family SUV you can buy right now? With great real-world fuel economy, good driving manners, a premium interior and room for five plus cargo, the Toyota is a huge leap over old versions of the RAV4. There are strong rivals in this class, like the Tiguan, CX-5 and Tucson – is the RAV4 the best?

In this real world long-term review, Tom assesses what we liked about the RAV4 and what we didn't like over our detailed test.

Watch our other new Hyundai content:
RAV4 Hybrid vs Forester Hybrid comparison:
Corolla review:

What do you think of the RAV4 Hybrid? Is it the best crossover in the class? Would you prefer a turbo petrol or diesel option? Or are you after a pure EV?

Let me know all of your thoughts in the comments.

Covers long term ownership of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2020 / 2020 RAV4.

[anischab]

I am living in Germany. I bought the RAV4 coming from the latest Landcruiser 2.8D. Upgrade or Downgrade? Definitively an Upgrade. The space in the car is very satisfying. The noise? Everything is relative. Since the Engine is silent in the speeds below 50KmH, everytime it kicks in or when accelerating, it seems loud. But when driving on fuel, with a low charged battery, when the same acceleration is made, you don't notice any difference in comparison to other cars of that class. 

Consumption: 6, 4L/100Km by driving it for 3000 Km without resetting back the counter, combined. Driving the Autobahn until 150-160 KmH, two laned roads 100-120 KmH and simple Roads 70-100 KmH
Average Speed is 78KmH during this monitoring.
Now I drive constantly about 80 KmH and not faster than 120 KmH on the Autobahn -- per conviction.
The average Consumption is still 5, 8-6.2 L/100 KmH.

There is a fuel saving trick that I use, since the time of my Landcruiser, 2.8D which I drived with 9, 7 L/100Km combined (advertised 7.9), and this goes as follows:
When I drive my Toyota about 10KmH faster than the desired cruising speed (say desired cruising speed is 82 KmH, I initially drive it until the speed reaches 92), I keep the foot on the pedal for about 3-5 Seconds then I lift it suddenly and repress the pedal immediately to that last position but soften the pressure so that the needle comes slowly down to the desired speed. When I get that speed, I maintain it. In the RAV4, the fuel consumption is then about 4, 0-4, 8L/100KmH. Verified multiple times. It is better than speeding up from 70 to 80-86 and then keeping that pace. (in Germany, many roads are speed-limited either 70KmH or 100 KmH, so I chose to drive 80-86 when the speed is not limited to 70. And when 70 is abolished, I drive til 92 then lift the foot and repress softly to keep about 84-86, never less than 82, never more than 88KmH, with the best fuel efficiency).

The Parking aids are superb and the camera /monitor on the mirror is a gadget. In the Car-Wash, my car jumps out of the rails, so I keep neutral and the engine on (battery mode) and I immediately correct with the steering wheel when I notice the friction of the wheels against the rails (the distance between the front wheels is lesser than the distance between the rear ones). It is the only serious issue I found, I drove it 26.000 Km now.

No more hesitations, get that RAV!

[andysmith]

I've had my Rav4 Cruiser Hybrid for just over a year... Most of my driving is 'in town'. Over that year It's returned 5.6l/100 kms. When on a run to the Gold Coast, that really improves dramatically. My local petrol station no longer know who i am! Mine was a spontanious purchase... I had just watched a Youtube video that debunked many of the 'Elec Car' beliefs. It's the most successful 'Leap of Faith' I've ever been a part of. I love it :)

[qldgooner]

we paid a deposit on this variant in graphite yesterday Tom and it was your review which tipped us this way. we have been deliberating over which car to buy for almost a year and this cruiser hybrid came out on top in a class which really has so much to offer. hopefully it lives up to all the hype. thanks for the informed review.

[hurcorh]

I bought the AWD GXL and after watching this i'm glad i did! For a top spec such as the cruiser, no vented seats, average passenger seat adjustment and the slow boot coupled with a pretty average sunroof (reduced head height in the Cruiser vs GXL) not to mention the lacklustre JBL sound system. The other week I walked to my car, opened the boot, put my shopping in, closed the boot and got into the driver's seat before a guy next to me in a lexus was just getting to close his slow automatic tailgate. His face said enough. I don't mind the engine noise for the most part but road and wind noise is less than average above 90km/hr for me. In all, i'm happy with it so far.

[jessebooth]

Have 25000km on my xse now from Canada. Have the fuel tank issue, only 41litres will go in with 0 kms left on a supposedly 55l tank. Overall it’s okay and I’m decently happy but have my gripes. Left driver armrest is to low to use. Screen little to far back to reach comfortably, black trim below screen should be silver like the rest of dash. Black stitching on arm rest should be blue to match the rest of interior. No pano sunroof in Canada. Cup holders are cheap plastic paint or something and Starbucks plastic lids will scratch the shit out of them (like wtf) . Infotainment system is “okay” . I’ve driven this road trips, as my daily driver to university, work and it works well. No car is perfect but there is def room for improvement. The gas tank fail is my biggest issue. Would love to have that extra range they advertised when I bought it.

[autonewstv]

*Excellent review again. This channel is my personal favorite in Australia*

[jeffgarnet]

I have now done 2500kms in my RAV cruiser AWD all city driving absolutely love this car, my fuel economy is 5.2 litres per 100km. I get 860 kms per 45 litre refill

[colour]

Thanks Tom.. really appreciate the reviews.. it's been nearly 9 months and still waiting on my rav4 hybrid cruiser..

[felixjoseph]

Planning to buy this model in January. Ur review is excellent and helped me a lot. Thank you

[mikijsmauss]

Also have 2020 Rav4 Hybrid AWD, 2500km on the clock:
- No fuel tank issues (im from Europe so it is manufactured in Japan)
- Real fuel consumption for me is 6.5L/100km
- JBL sounds good, sweet bass when listening to music with great quality, radio would not be so much difference from the basic music system
- I dont mind acceleration engine noise when i must heavily push the pedal because I always listen how great JBL sounds :D
- I hate that buttons on the door doesnt have lights (windows, door lock)
- Rear camera resolution must be better for 2020 but well.... its Toyota, maybe someday...
- There is no close and lock button on the boot, only to close, that kinda sucks
GREAT CAR OVERALL

[kbling]

Tom is one of the best auto reviewers around, no question.

[merbentan]

Just ordered one. Waiting time is 6 months at the moment! Insane but I feel like it would be worth it.

[stephen]

Been waiting six months for a Cruiser Hybrid AWD Graphite with (initially) Nutmeg. Gave the Nutmeg up in June upas the wait was blowing out. Switched to black. Car was built promptly and is coming in two weeks as Toyota crank out production to Australia whilst demand in the world pauses. Got extra tinting and I expect the black interior to outlast the nutmeg which I was nervous of damaging. Toyota recently sent out a free bag with a travel cup and charge bank as a goodwill gesture. Nutmegs is very tight supply. In the current circumstances could not wait any longer. Great review.

[howardweir]

Excellent review Tom. 
You are #1 in well executed, intelligent, relevent reviews, and always well filmed. 
Kiwi fan

[mikefitzgerald]

Great video. We have the Rav 4 Hybrid Cruiser 2wd in the graphite with black interior. Love the feel of the car in terms of handling and also the features. First tank of petrol lasted 931kms, that was just driving around the city. Haven’t had a chance to take on a long drive as yet but when restrictions are relaxed, I’m looking forward to see how the Rav 4 handles the longer drive. The slowness of the rear door is annoying and I turned the beeping down to a minimum.

[robertspinks]

Best reviewer around
Mentioning passenger side height adjustment that no one mentions well done
Bit of a dealbreaker for me

[Thane]

3:52 Just casually driving over a snake

[krissyclarke]

In a long term test more info on service intervals/costs/any additional running costs in a Hybrid

[claydoc]

I got my GXL Hybrid AWD last June, done 45, 000 kms in her in this time, Average fuel consumption is 4.8 around town and 5.2 HWY. Faultless car, great value, fixed price servicing @ $210 every 15, 000 kms. Very happy customer.

[stevesutton]

We bought a 2020 cruiser variant for my wife’s daily driver and whilst I am a bit ambivalent about its styling I can live with that as it is one of the best cars I have ever driven. I drive a 2019 200 series Sahara myself and I find that more often than not I will take the RAV unless I need the specific qualities of the LC as it is so much easier to manoeuvre and park and there is the fuel consumption of course, the RAV can do a 100k’s on what the LC uses to get out of the drive way.