2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Evaluation, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

Like their distant cousin, the hybridized Prius hatchback, the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid and plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime purpose to deliver spectacular gas effectivity to the compact-SUV section. They usually succeed. However their electrified powertrains include different advantages too, particularly higher efficiency. For one factor, each are faster than the nonhybrid RAV4—particularly the Prime mannequin which, amazingly, is able to outrunning a four-cylinder Supra sports activities automotive to 60 mph. Too dangerous the RAV4 Hybrid’s dealing with isn’t sports-car sharp—fairly the opposite, really, as its noncommittal highway manners aren’t prone to fulfill drivers who worth athleticism of their day by day experience. For individuals who need a bit of extra involvement within the driving expertise—keep in mind, we’re speaking mainstream SUVs right here, not sport sedans—there’s the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage. All of them provide hybrid fashions as nicely. Nonetheless, the RAV4 Hybrid is a handsome, sensible, and cozy small crossover that’s frugal on the gasoline pump, which is greater than sufficient for an SUV-loving American to be ok with.

What’s New for 2023?

A brand new rough-and-tumble Woodland Version of the RAV4 Hybrid joins the lineup for 2023. Together with all-terrain tires, the Woodland Version sports activities a TRD suspension equipment, bronze-colored wheels, a roof rack, mud flaps, black exterior badging, and a particular set of all-season flooring mats sporting the Woodland Version brand. Exterior colours are restricted to black, blue, and white. All fashions now include Toyota’s next-generation infotainment interface—a welcome improve over the outgoing one—which incorporates normal wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to over-the-air replace functionality.

Pricing and Which One to Purchase

When you can qualify for the $7500 electric-vehicle tax credit score, the RAV4 Prime is a no brainer, as the federal government’s monetary incentive lowers its value considerably—and also you get a RAV4 with extra energy and a major electric-only driving vary. Of the 2 Prime fashions, the XSE is filled with extra normal options, together with 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, and an infotainment system with a bigger 10.5-inch show. When you do not qualify for the tax credit score, we might suggest the XLE Hybrid, which provides extra normal tools than the bottom LE with out struggling a lot of an uptick in value. Patrons of the XLE will get pleasure from conveniences similar to passive keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, LED projector headlamps with computerized excessive beams, heated exterior mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, and entrance fog lamps.

Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency

The RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is assisted by two electrical motors for a mixed output of 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive is normal—one of many electrical motors powers the rear wheels and the second motor and the gasoline engine drive the fronts—as is a constantly variable computerized transmission (CVT). Not solely is the RAV4 Hybrid extra environment friendly than the unelectrified mannequin, however it’s additionally faster. It snapped off a 7.4-second 60-mph time in our palms whereas the gas-only mannequin wanted 8.0 seconds to carry out the identical job. Drivers will really feel that pep, too, significantly round city, the place the electrical motor’s gratifyingly instant energy supply offers it an additional shove when taking off from a cease. If you’d like much more efficiency, the Prime mannequin is completely happy to oblige. In our testing, the RAV4 Prime skipped to 60 mph in simply 5.6 seconds. Like the usual RAV4, the hybrid and Prime fashions’ dealing with is competent and its experience comfy, however do not anticipate any cornering heroics right here.

Vary, Charging, and Battery Life

The plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime shops its electrons in an 18.1-kWh battery pack, and the EPA charges its electric-only driving vary at 42 miles. In our testing, we managed to drive for 32 miles on electrical energy alone, however that was on the freeway; we might anticipate an extended driving vary within the metropolis. A 3.3-kWh onboard charger is normal and a 6.6-kWh charger is optionally available on the Prime XSE; it decreases charging time to only 2.5 hours on a 240-volt outlet. If solely a 120-volt outlet is accessible, anticipate charging instances to be about 12 hours.

Gasoline Economic system and Actual-World MPG

Compared with a gas-powered all-wheel-drive RAV4, the hybrid mannequin is way extra environment friendly. The EPA estimates it’s going to obtain 41 mpg metropolis, 38 mpg freeway, and 40 mpg mixed, beating the common RAV4 by 14 mpg, 5 mpg, and 11 mpg, respectively. Once we examined the RAV4 Hybrid on our 200-mile freeway fuel-economy route, it delivered 37 mpg, 1 mpg lower than its EPA ranking. The Prime earns an EPA mixed ranking of 94 MPGe, and it delivered 73 MPGe throughout our freeway fuel-economy check. For extra details about the RAV4 Hybrid’s gas financial system, go to the EPA’s web site.

Inside, Consolation, and Cargo

The RAV4 Hybrid’s cabin is nicely constructed and properly outfitted however prioritizes practicality over model. With a plethora of cubbies and bins to select from, you may have ample house to stash small cargo, and all the buttons and controls are simple to seek out and function. Toyota throws in loads of niceties on the base degree, similar to dual-zone computerized local weather management, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, and a height-adjustable false flooring within the cargo space. Going up the trim-level ladder brings luxurious options similar to heated entrance and rear seats, ambient inside lighting, and upgraded faux-leather upholstery that Toyota calls SofTex. The RAV4 Hybrid provides similar cargo and passenger house because the common RAV4, and in our testing, we managed to suit 10 carry-on suitcases behind the second row and 22 with the rear seat folded.

Infotainment and Connectivity

LE and XLE fashions include an 8.0-inch infotainment show sprouting from their dashboard whereas XSE, Restricted, and Prime XSE fashions present a ten.5-inch display. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration in addition to an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are all normal. Most fashions additionally include a 7.0-inch digital gauge show however a bigger 12.3-inch one comes on Restricted and Prime XSE trims and is optionally available on the XLE Premium. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL stereo system can be found. In any other case, you may get a six-speaker system.

Security and Driver-Help Options

Toyota has been an aggressive adopter of driver-assistance options and provides a lot of them normal throughout the RAV4 lineup. For extra details about the RAV4 Hybrid’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:

Commonplace automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Commonplace lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help Commonplace adaptive cruise management

Guarantee and Upkeep Protection

All RAV4s include a complete guarantee that matches these offered by rivals Honda and Nissan, however electrified fashions include a prolonged safety plan for his or her hybrid parts. Removed from the norm, Toyota’s complimentary scheduled upkeep coverage stretches for 2 years or 25,000 miles.

Restricted guarantee covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles Hybrid-component guarantee covers eight years or 100,000 miles Complimentary upkeep is coated for 2 years or 25,000 miles

Extra Options and Specs