Living with the Toyota RAV4 PHEV - Nearly brilliant but is there a problem ?

I have been living with the Toyota RAV4 PHEV for over a month now covering over 1500 miles. In that time I've got to really understand this impressive hybrid. With nearly 40 miles of EV range it makes a brilliant city car and then on the longer journey the hybrid gives both huge range and great fuel economy.

For me though the is one potential point of weakness, it's CVT gearbox. In the review I see how much stuff can fit in the boot, talk through it's extensive range of features and then put the CVT gearbox to the ultimate test.

Follow Petrol Ped

Watch more videos!

Welcome to the official Petrol Ped YouTube channel! On this channel you will find a variety of content like high quality car reviews, launch events, press drives, event coverage from Goodwood and other awesome automotive experiences! Make sure to subscribe, turn on ALL notifications and join me on my petrol fuelled journey!

#PetrolPed #Automotive #ToyotaRAV4PHEV

[PetrolPed]

Sorry I used a generic description of a CVT to try and keep it simple and this isn’t the type fitted to this vehicle. In hindsight I should have explained it in more detail 😢 Thanks to those of you that pointed that out 🙏🏻

Have you experienced a CVT gearbox and what did you think ?

[robc]

In 60, 000 miles in my 2019 RAV4 the noise really has not bothered me, ANY car when floored will make a lot of engine noise, the only difference with the CVT is its fairly steady note and not rising and falling note like a regular auto. Its overall volume is not intrusive IMHO and better than many non CVT cars I have had where as the revs get higher they sound pretty rough. The Toyota also has the advantage that the engine is held at its peak efficiency revs and the power delivery is seamless and continuous. Anyone considering the car do evaluate for yourself. If it were a real issue I wouldn't have another one on order!

[CMCNestT]

The e-cvt with planetary gear set makes the PHEV brilliantly efficient. The PHEV is almost as efficient as a HEV when running on petrol. Stick a traditional automatic and it becomes grotesquely less efficient.

[damienblack]

I just bought my Rav4 Prime a week ago. It's a great car. It does get a little noisy when the engine comes on though. But I drove a little over 700 miles and only used a quarter tank of gas! For most people, and you can check with a lot of other videos, the Rav4 is really fast. Remember, it does 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds and that's been tested by a number of youtube videos. You should also point out that there are very few cars that have the quality build like a Toyota or the resale value which was one of the reasons I bought it. There's absolutely no substitute for reliability. Although you stated that you didn't like the car for 30% based on the transmission, I would suspect that over 95% of the people who bought are happy with it, hence it being the most popular car in the U.S. next to the Ford F-150. Buyers shouldn't be expecting that the Rav4 to have the power of an old school V8 GTO, but 0-60 in less in 5.7 seconds is good enough for the large majority of people. And btw, a GTO is not going to get you 92 miles per gallon! try like 8 miles to the gallon! lol.

[Roger-pnnz]

The question is, how many times a day do you floor the accelerator? I almost never do that. And these gearboxes are economical and very reliable. And you can reduce the noise by switching up the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. A normal automatic gearbox will be quieter under heavy acceleration, but it is more expensive, heavier, less reliable and less economical.

[coltoncleveringa]

Very well done video Sir Pete!!
Just have to state that I’ve always appreciated your genuineness and honesty with all the car reviews you do. It’s part of the charm of your channel. Most youtubers don’t give completely honest reviews and I feel you always do.
Also here’s a we’re are you and what are you doing moment for ya: I listened to this whole video well shoveling my drive way that was covered in a foot and half snow ❄️ now that I’m done with that its off to get ready for a weekend long celebration for my wife’s 30th b day! Have a great weekend everyone!!

[yankeealfa]

I think the E-CVT gearbox is truly the most briljant invention in car history. Yes, it takes some miles/time to get used to but it definitely grows on you. My brand new RAV4 Prime does 47 miles ev and then performs like a regular hybrid vehicle. Plug it in when you can and not when you want and you will have a smile on your face the whole day! You do need your own charger back home though to make it a true joy but if performance, comfort, handling and looks matter to you, the RAV4 Prime is the right choice. Put that together with Toyota's renowned reliabilty makes this car a very wise choice should you be looking for a fast, comfortable and nice looking ride!

[stewartandroid]

The E-CVT in this car is a actually a technical marvel, fully decoupled drive chain from the engine to wheels using 2 motor/generators. I suspect the high rev nature with a heavy right foot is also about the tuning of the engine to make it more economic (atkinson cycle around 40% thermal efficiency compare to standard pertrol engines around 25% in otto cycle). Ford have licensed this system in the ford Kuga i believe.

[franktaylor]

I have a Rav 4 Hybrid. The CVT box doesn't cause me concern, infact I embrace the sharp rise in revs when booting it in sports mode. Great review, honest and open

[leandroszoidis]

The noise of the CVT is a very minor drawback. You can live with it. The car offers practicallity, fuel economy, some off road capability, a spare tyre, and a strong motor.

[Ediconic]

Just test driven the car this evening. Thought the car was amazing and particularly in Ev mode and driving in a relaxing manner round town in hybrid. The issue you mention only occurred when you started accelerating quickly and when you drove out of town. This so called issue would not occur on the motorway cruising and in town driving when you would either be going go slowly or in EV mode. An exceedingly high proportion of journeys are less than 41 miles. I must admit I never heard it later in the evening when the kids had the music on which as a family car would be most of the time. For you as a petrol head I think it’s and issue but I think the majority of the buyers will not worry about this. For me I am waiting for the Lexus NX 450 PHEV. That will be my next car. Thanks for the honest review,

[leemorris]

As has now been pointed out, the transmission on the RAV4 PHEV isn't an old style CVT gearbox. Its far more advanced and efficient than that. I have been driving the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for 7 years, which also has the same electronic multimode transmission as the RAV4. It provides a continuous and seamless drive, very smooth and, yes, when under hard acceleration or going up steep hills, the engine revs go up. But its designed to do that. The engine isn't under strain. And to be honest, it rarely happens in most normal driving situations.

[Singhable]

Great review, unbiased, and fair. Some of us would consider buying the vehicles you review; just hearing your thoughts on the vehicle gives us a fairly good starting point.
Let's be honest: when you test drive a car from a dealership, you just don't get enough time with it to make a proper judgement . Keep it up mate 👍🏼 👌

[northstar]

I have a Toyota CH-R with the CVT transmission and the optional 2 litre engine. I watched as many YouTube reviews as I could regarding the car and quite a few mentioned the lag or if you like 'slipping' It doesn't bother me in the least but I think the technique is not to floor the throttle but to watch the power indicator and just let it get into the power section then allow the transmission to catch up with the vehicle motion then as the needle drops increase the throttle and so on. You might be surprised at just how much speed you are now travelling at. I'm not a boy racer and getting from 0-62 in 5 seconds doesn't interest me but the only time I do notice the CVT 'problem' is starting up a steep hill from a stand still and that doesn't bother me one iota. I think it's a case of technique. I do really enjoy your reviews BTW.

[nickhales]

I really really wanted to like this car! Once again an honest appreciation and review of the car. I personally take a great deal of credence from your reviews, and they undoubtedly are becoming an integral part of my buying process. Thanks.

[itwbeech]

My 2021 Civic has the CVT box, the way I get round it is use the flappy paddles to change gear to reduce the noise. After 18, 000 miles you do get use to the sound or play musics a bit louder 👍🏻

[dohrider]

I also did the Cornwall trip in my HEV RAV4 over the New Year and agree that it is a comfortable long distance cruiser. This is my third Toyota HEV (a Prius and a C-HR) and agree that the CVT is very marmite. I have learnt to drive around it and it does prefer to be driven in a more laid back manner, with the extra performance in reserve. I presume that Toyota has set it up this way so that the engine runs in its most economical range, it does run the Atkinson cycle for this. It would be interesting to drive a hybrid with a more conventional automatic gearbox, but this will be academic in a few years when we all move to BEVs anyway. I just hope that they've added a few more charges points in Cornwall and elsewhere by then as when we stopped at Exeter services all the chargers were in use.

[dangreasley]

A very well balanced review. Great for the consumer. Your points are all well made and very valid. I've had Toyota's and they are always well spec'd but a bit dull to drive in my opinion. Thanks Pete.

[graemewhitehead]

I’m really glad you have had this car as a long-termer. I’m now a big fan of Toyota, having a Corolla with the 2.0 Hybrid, after 5 years with a Golf R, and numerous GTIs prior. The ‘CVT’ transaxle is great - as you say if you drive it within its comfort zone. The big thing for me is the reliability, and the quality of the dealer network - this is a car you can run for 15 years, with just basic maintenance, no water pump leaks, coil pack failure etc.

[jasonbagley]

I have the hybrid CHR that I really like it, was thinking about getting the RAV4 hybrid this year thanks for the review 👍🏻