Individuals are keen to attend months, even years for a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, particularly Cruiser spec as examined right here.

Is it definitely worth the wait? This mid-sized SUV presents numerous optimistic traits, terrific real-world effectivity, and it’s an excellent measurement: providing loads of practicality for rising households.

Let’s run by way of why I believe that is nonetheless among the finest, if not the finest medium SUVs available on the market.

How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid value?

Let’s additionally contextualise the unique begin value for this technology RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid – again at launch in 2019, this spec was $41,140 plus on-road prices. Right this moment? It’s $51,410 earlier than on-roads.

I do know lots has occurred out there (and the world since these easier instances) however that does offer you some indication that its worth equation isn’t fairly as robust because it was. There’s at the least nonetheless a heap of fine gear in customary specification, and the newest replace has seen some included new stuff, which I’ll element additional down.

Nonetheless, it’s in all probability value contemplating a few of the rivals the RAV4 competes in opposition to, and what you may wish to cross-shop this hybrid high-spec mannequin in opposition to. Firstly, there’s the GWM Haval H6 Extremely Hybrid, which at $45,990 drive-away, presents robust worth for cash. It’s additionally the decide of the H6 line-up by way of the drive expertise too.

One other mannequin you may wish to contemplate if hybrid tech is your curiosity is the Nissan X-Path e-Energy, which in Ti spec is a $54,690 proposition. It doesn’t do ‘hybrid’ the identical method the RAV4 or H6 do. As an alternative, it makes use of its petrol engine purely as a generator, and there’s a battery pack and electrical motors to propel the automotive. Totally different, however attention-grabbing!

MORE: Haval H6 Hybrid v Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comparability

Toyota RAV4 pricing:

• Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD: $39,760
• Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD Hybrid: $42,260
• Toyota RAV4 GX AWD Hybrid: $45,260
• Toyota RAV4 GXL 2WD: $43,310
• Toyota RAV4 GXL 2WD Hybrid: $45,810
• Toyota RAV4 GXL AWD Hybrid: $48,810
• Toyota RAV4 XSE 2WD Hybrid: $49,585
• Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD Hybrid: $52,585
• Toyota RAV4 2WD Cruiser: $48,910
• Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid: $51,410
• Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid: $54,410
• Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD: $56,230
• Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid: $58,360

Costs are earlier than on-road prices

What’s the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid like on the within?

I’ve lengthy been a fan of the inside of the Toyota RAV4; it blends sensible design, intelligent storage, easy controls, in addition to high quality match and finishes. This makes for a very likeable, comfy household house.

New to the recently-updated RAV4 is the addition of a bigger touchscreen media system. This makes the inside really feel a contact extra trendy within the higher-spec variations than the 8.0-inch display nonetheless accessible in cheaper grades.

The brand new 10.5-inch touchscreen sits somewhat prouder, with a higher-resolution, brighter show, however sadly with out the bodily buttons on the perimeters of the display. It’s additionally has a barely extra complicated (nicely, till you’re used to it) display menu system with a couple of hidden parts that aren’t as easy to regulate as they may very well be, such because the sound settings for bass, treble and fader, for instance.

Fortunately, it’s fairly straightforward to become familiar with – particularly for those who’re like me and often simply use Apple CarPlay to work together with the display. The JBL sound system is fairly good too. And whereas there’s built-in sat nav, in my expertise it may be somewhat bit laggy as to your present place and the instruction arising, so that you may discover you miss a couple of turns for those who depend on it.

There’s additionally a brand new digital instrument cluster on this spec. It’s crisp, vibrant and extra trendy than the earlier model. It’s straightforward to make use of and the data on show is beneficial and manageable by way of shifting by way of the menus utilizing the steering wheel controls.

In actual fact it’s the controls that make the RAV4 easy to reside with, as not one of the essential stuff is buried within the media display. There’s a pair of huge rubberised dials for local weather management, whereas fan and air-conditioning controls all fall simply handy too. Plus, on this spec, you get the heated and ventilated (cooled) seat buttons in that very same space as nicely.

Whereas the driving force’s seat consolation and adjustment is nice, taller folks may discover the passenger seat to be too excessive, and it doesn’t have top adjustment. My brother-in-law is 6’4” (193cm) and he struggles to suit there when his accomplice is driving.

Storage is superb within the RAV4 with the massive shelf in entrance of the passenger providing a very good house for stuff. There are additionally good nooks close to the gear selector (together with a 50-cent-piece-sized part which is outwardly nice for placing your storage or gate fob), and there are huge cup holders in addition to a lined centre console bin. Entrance occupants additionally get massive door pockets with bottle holders.

Entrance-seat riders may recognize the small sunroof, but it surely’s tiny by trendy requirements.

The rear seat lodging simply has sufficient house for an grownup my measurement (182cm/6’0”) to suit behind my very own driving place. There’s an honest quantity of width to the seat as nicely, so three adults throughout is feasible. Headroom is beneficiant, knee room good, and toe room wonderful.

You probably have youthful occupants there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats, three top-tether factors and directional air-vents and USB charging to maintain these within the again completely satisfied.

Plus, there’s a storage pocket (only one), flip-down arm-rest with cup-holders and bottle holders within the doorways. 

The RAV4 is completely a five-seater, so some patrons may be left searching for alternate options with three rows of seats. In case you want these the bigger Kluger is an enlarged model of this… in any other case finest to take a look at a CR-V, Outlander or X-Path.

The boot is one other plus, with 580 litres of cargo capability. There’s simply sufficient house for a household to move away for a weekend within the RAV4. I’ve performed it with my daughter, two canine and a bootfull of stuff, and the automotive did wonderful. 

There’s a space-saver spare wheel on this grade, and an adjustable boot ground to permit only a wee bit extra depth to the house (it’s 580L in that setup or 542L with the ground at customary top). Fold the rear seats down, and there’s 1690L of capability.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Toyota RAV4 2WD Hybrid fashions pair a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with an electrical motor and small battery pack, good for a system output of 160kW. It makes use of an e-CVT (constantly variable transmission).

Select the AWD mannequin and also you get a further ‘eFour’ electrical motor on the rear axle, and energy bumps to 163kW.

Nonetheless, for those who don’t wish to wait months (years, presumably) for a RAV4 Hybrid, there’s additionally a better-than-average 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (127kW/203Nm) with a CVT auto and front-wheel drive. It’s a fairly good city runner, and has respectable real-world effectivity on it facet too.

Simply remember the fact that if you must tow, this may not be excellent for you. Most towing capability is simply 480kg in 2WD Hybrid fashions like this one (together with braked towing). Unbraked towing capability is 750kg for all others, whereas braked towing maxes out at 800kg in 2.0-litre fashions, and 1500kg in AWD Hybrid and a couple of.5-litre petrol fashions.

How does the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid drive?

The RAV4 does it proper for households who’re after a predictable, comfy, and even fulfilling SUV to reside with – it nails the temporary.

The hybrid powertrain is highly effective sufficient (even with 5 onboard) and has some critical smarts in the case of selecting whether or not to run in EV mode, use the petrol engine, or use a mix of the 2.

It can typically flick to EV whenever you’re coasting round city, and even use battery energy to tug you away from a standstill. And there’s additionally the possibility you can see the automotive operating electrical (there’s a inexperienced indicator on the display to show it) whenever you’re driving on the freeway, utilizing gentle throttle. 

It does make a little bit of racket when you have got the engine kicking in underneath laborious throttle, and it may be a bit noisy at idle when it’s chilly, I ought to add. However I believe the noise is extra noticeable as a result of it typically runs in near-silent EV mode.

It’s not completely silent, after all – there’s some noise intrusion from the tyres at some speeds on some surfaces, however probably the most intrusive sound within the cabin is definitely wind rush across the mirrors/windscreen up entrance.

The driving manners of the RAV4 are actually good too, with candy, pure feeling steering that’s nicely weighted and simple to evaluate for parking strikes or at tempo. 

The suspension additionally offers rather well with lumpy roads and sharp edges too. It’s undoubtedly comfy as a household automotive, and as a commuter.

Talking of commuting, the lively security know-how is nicely sorted within the RAV4 – with a fairly refined lane-keeping help system for freeway driving, and stop-start cruise management to take the ache out of low-speed visitors snarls.

That stated, I nonetheless turned the lane-keeping tech off each time I drove it, as a result of I want the steering to be my accountability.

Have in mind although, for those who select the front-drive hybrid you might discover the entrance tyres could be overwhelmed with the quantity of torque on supply, particularly on slippery surfaces.

In case you frequent these lots – gravel tracks, icy or snowy roads, or possibly it simply rains lots the place you might be – the additional spend for all-wheel drive may be worthwhile.

What do you get?

RAV4 Cruiser highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels (Hybrid)
• 19-inch alloy wheels (Petrol)
• Projector-type LED headlights
• LED daytime operating lights
• LED entrance fog lights
• Auto power-folding mirrors
• Energy sunroof
• 10-way energy driver’s seat incl. reminiscence
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Heated, ventilated entrance seats
• Leather-based upholstery
• Ambient lighting
• 9-speaker JBL sound system
• Encompass-view digital camera
• Digital rear-view mirror
• 10-way energy adjustment incl. lumbar assist (driver)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 
• 10.5-inch infotainment with sat nav
  • incl. Toyota Linked Providers
• Apple CarPlay (wired, wi-fi)
• Android Auto (wired solely)
• DAB+ digital radio
• 3 x entrance and a couple of x rear USB ports
• Keyless entry
• Push-button begin
• Energy tailgate
• Computerized high-beam
• Computerized headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors

It’s straightforward to see why folks gravitate to this grade, although take note you’ll be able to’t get a Cruiser with the panoramic glass roof that’s an possibility within the top-spec Edge.

Is the Toyota RAV4 secure?

The RAV4 achieved the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking in 2019, and it’s legitimate till December 2025.

The rating breakdown noticed the RAV4 obtain 93 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 89 per cent for little one occupant safety, 85 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 83 per cent for security help.

The next security options are customary throughout the vary:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Pedestrian/daytime bike owner detection
• Intersection Flip Help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Tracing Help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digital camera
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Visitors signal recognition
• Trailer sway management
• Emergency Steering Help
• Hill-start Help Management
• 7 airbags incl. entrance, entrance facet, full size curtain and driver’s knee airbag

In case you purchase the Cruiser or Edge you get a 360-degree surround-view digital camera, whereas different specs get a reversing digital camera.

Weirdly, although, the Edge alone has lively rear cross-traffic help and low-speed reverse AEB, which I believe should be customary extra extensively.

How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid value to run?

All Toyota fashions include a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, however for those who be sure you keep logbook servicing (with Toyota or different accepted mechanics) you’ll be able to stand up to seven years of powertrain cowl.

In case you service underneath Toyota’s Hybrid powertrain protocols, petrol-electric fashions may even have a health-check each 12 months, which can guarantee cowl the battery pack for as much as 10 years.

Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km, which is nice, and the service value is a part of a capped-price plan for the primary 5 years/75,000km, with a mean upkeep value throughout that interval of simply $260.

In over per week of driving I managed 5.7 litres per 100km. To realize this the engine and electrical motor did their finest work collectively to try to save gasoline and regen braking added probably misplaced vitality again to the nickel-metal hydride battery pack, similar to it does in a pure electrical automotive.

RAV4 gasoline consumption (claimed):

• Toyota RAV4 2WD Hybrid: 4.7L/100km
• Toyota RAV4 AWD Hybrid: 4.8L/100km
• Toyota RAV4 2.0L 2WD: 6.0L/100km
• Toyota RAV4 2.5L AWD: 7.0L/100km

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid

In case you can wait, it’s completely value it for my part. The Toyota RAV4, significantly in Cruiser Hybrid spec, makes numerous sense for patrons who need an environment friendly, well-packaged, comfy and likeable household SUV. 

My tip could be to additionally contemplate the XSE, for those who don’t wish to wait as lengthy for the Cruiser.

Don’t simply depend on your native dealership to discover a RAV4 Hybrid both: name round to regional and distant stockists as you may discover there are automobiles on the market you by no means knew about!

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BUY: Toyota RAV4
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