The Toyota RAV is a popular SUV and a great choice for families. It’s a brilliant all-rounder, offering lots of space for passengers and their luggage, plus the latest safety tech, an excellent reputation for reliability and hybrid power as standard, along with the option of four-wheel drive.
The first-generation Toyota RAV4 was introduced in the UK in 1994, with the current, fifth-generation arriving in 2019. This is the RAV4 model we’re concentrating on here.
There are several trim levels to choose from with this RAV4, but the general range starts with the Icon, Design, Excel, Dynamic and rises to the GR Sport. The RAV4 Black Edition arrived in 2020 and is available only in Galaxy Black. The arrival of the Dynamic Premium trim, also in 2020, coincided with the introduction of the plug-in hybrid model.
All Toyota RAV4 models have hybrid power, combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. Most of the used models are conventional hybrids (Toyota calls them ‘self-charging hybrids’), but there are also plug-in hybrid versions on the used market. The RAV4 was given an update in 2022 with new safety functions and an improved infotainment system. Toyota also added a new Adventure trim level to the range.
Every post-2019 Toyota RAV4 comes with a touchscreen infotainment system as standard. On cars sold new before the 2022 update, this means an 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and digital radio. Sat nav is included on all but the entry-level Icon trim.
Post-2022 models have an improved 10.5-inch display with cloud-based sat nav fitted as standard, along with a customisable 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with a choice of four styles. The 12.3-inch screen is a standard feature on all trims except the Icon, which uses the pre-2022 7-inch version.
Although the Icon trim is well-equipped, you may want to upgrade to Design, which is now the entry-level trim in the UK. Highlights of the Design trim include 18-inch dark silver alloy wheels, an electric boot lid, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and keyless entry/start.
If you’re looking for what sets the Toyota RAV4 apart, look no further than its low running costs. The conventional hybrid model gives diesel-like fuel economy of up to 49.5mpg, according to official figures, with even the four-wheel-drive version offering 48.7mpg. The RAV4 plug-in hybrid can travel up to 46 miles in pure-electric mode, according to official figures, although what you actually get will depend on the battery charge level and your driving habits.
The Toyota RAV4 has many rivals, including the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Peugeot 3008, all of which are available as hybrids. The RAV4 may cost you more to buy but it’s especially roomy and well-equipped.
The Toyota RAV4 is a very practical family SUV, with a 580-litre boot that’s capable of carrying the luggage for a family holiday or a big grocery shop. With the back seats folded down, the luggage capacity increases to an estate car-like 1,690 litres.
Even the larger battery of the plug-in hybrid version has little impact on the size of the boot, so you’re unlikely to notice it’s 60 litres smaller. The tall and boxy dimensions mean the RAV4 can carry four adults in comfort – or five if somebody doesn’t mind sitting in the middle of the back row.
The RAV4 is one of four Toyota SUVs, sitting below the huge Land Cruiser, but above the C-HR, Yaris Cross and pure-electric bZ4x.
The range of recent Toyota models you’ll find for sale used includes the Aygo and Yaris compact hatchbacks. Lexus – the premium brand owned by Toyota – produces a range of SUVs available with hybrid power, including the UX, NX and RX models.
The Toyota RAV4 was awarded the maximum five stars by the independent safety organisation Euro NCAP in 2019. All models have what Toyota calls its Safety Sense package, which includes adaptive cruise control and a pre-collision system with cyclist detection and night-time pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring is fitted to high-spec models.
Although there’s no pure-electric version of the Toyota RAV4, it is available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. If you’re after a pure-electric Toyota, the bZ4x – which is similar in size to the RAV4 – is worth a look.
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