Toyota RAV4 XA50 FWD 2.5L Hybrid (2019-2026)
VerifiedAlso referred to as: Toyota RAV4 XA50 FWD 2.5L Hybrid 2025 and Toyota RAV4 XA50 FWD 2.5L Hybrid 2027.18 reviews
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As part of my job, I spend a lot of time travelling and driving hire cars. I've sampled everything from budget buzz-boxes to luxury cruisers. Somehow, until now, I had managed to avoid driving a Toyota RAV4. After spending a week with a brand-new hybrid showing just 8,000km, I can only assume I've been living a blessed life. Let's start with the… Read more
styling. From the outside it's... there. Like every other SUV currently roaming Australian roads. If you drew an SUV from memory, you'd probably sketch a RAV4. The paint seems thinner than my patience in peak-hour traffic, and the doors feel like they're made from recycled soft drink cans.
Step inside and prepare for a nostalgic trip back to the 1990s. The plastics are hard enough to survive a nuclear apocalypse, the screens look like they were borrowed from a budget GPS unit, and finding USB-A ports felt like discovering an archaeological artefact. Somewhere, a 2015 office worker is wondering where their technology went. At least Toyota remembered to include wireless CarPlay and a few USB-C ports hidden away in the armrest.
The locking system appears to have been designed by a prison architect. Once the driver gets out, everyone else can finally enjoy freedom. Until then, good luck. I spent far too long digging through menus trying to work out if I'd accidentally activated "maximum security mode."
The dashboard is simple and uncluttered, which is a polite way of saying it has all the excitement of a tax return. Customisation options appear to have been considered and then immediately rejected.
The driver assistance systems deserve special mention. The lane assist beeps so often on country roads that I began checking whether I'd accidentally hired a poker machine. After a day of constant warnings, the lane assist was switched off in the interests of preserving my sanity.
Then there's the driving experience.
Remember when Toyota hybrids were the benchmark? Unfortunately, after driving several recent Hyundai hybrids, Toyota now feels like the company resting on its trophies. The drivetrain is underpowered, the transition between petrol and electric operation is anything but seamless, and overtaking requires careful planning, favourable winds, and possibly a written application.
The auto-hold function apparently missed the flight to Australia because you have to keep pressing the brake-hold button every single time you stop. The road noise is impressive, and not in a good way. At highway speed it sounds like the tyres are engaged in a heated argument with the bitumen. The suspension rolls through corners like an old farm truck, and somehow the turning circle feels larger than vehicles twice its size.
After a week behind the wheel, I spent a long time trying to think of something I genuinely liked.
I came up with reliability.
That's it.
I'm sure it'll start every morning and faithfully carry its owner from A to B for many years. Unfortunately, it'll also remove every ounce of enjoyment from the journey. Driving this RAV4 felt less like owning a modern SUV and more like ordering one from TEMU and hoping for the best.
Needless to say, handing the keys back at the end of the week was the highlight of the ownership experience.
- +1
I have owned 4 TOYOTA‘s out of the last 5 cars I have owned since 2017. I first bought a brand-new 2017 CHR base model which I kept for 4 years. I wanted something bigger so I swapped it for a 2017 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS, which I kept for about 2 years but I missed the CHR so much. I sold the Mitsubishi and bought another 2017 model CHR but the… Read more
top model KOBA. I had services every 6 months. I used 98 Shell and BP fuel in my CHR’s along with PEA (Polyetheramine) fuel additives 4 times a year, with multiple freeway trips for between 1 to 2 hours 6 - 7 times a month and I still had carbon buildup in the engine. I always warmed my turbo engine up and cooled it down for at least a minute or two and drove conservatively for the first 10 minutes or so; did regular spirited freeway driving; had them serviced every 6 months but they both still had excessive carbon buildup. My fuel economy was between 6 to 8 L per 100 KM. I loved the shape of the CHR. That’s what drew me most to buy them and of course because it was a TOYOTA but from my experience with both the base model and the KOBA top model which I owned I would never purchase a turbo engine again. I loved the CHR however due to my back pain and arthritis worsening in my knees as well, I needed a car that was bigger and easier to get in and out of. I did a lot of research before I chose the RAV4. I wanted a car that was going to last me at least 20 years with minimal mechanical issues and good fuel economy. The first thing I did was watch multiple YouTube comparison reviews and the RAV4 was always in the top 3 if not the top vehicle in most of the reviews, the sales of the RAV4 speak for itself. There are a lot of new SUVs coming out trying to compete with the RAV4. They may have extra tech and extra comfort features but they don’t have the history to prove the reliability and I think it is a big gamble to buy a new model car just designed and built whereas TOYOTA has already built a good reliable name for itself and the design of their hybrid engines are well established and have proved to be extremely robust and reliable. They may not be as fancy as some other cars but it has everything you need - the more features you have the more chances of things breaking down and the more cost involved especially since everything is computerised these days. The safety tech in the TOYOTA fifth generation is one of the safest cars out there with a 5 Star ANCAP crash rating. The GX model has 7 airbags. The TOYOTA Safety Sense 2.5 has Automatic Emergency Braking - the pre-collision system has vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, it also has Intersection Collision Avoidance and has Emergency Steering Assist which helps drivers to stay in their lane and not manoeuvre which helps the driver maintain more control: It has Lane Departure Warning with Lane Centering and Steering Assist with road obstacle detection ; Blind Spot Monitoring - if a vehicle is in your blindspot you will see an orange vehicle symbol flashing in your mirror but you should also make sure you still do your shoulder checks as well; it also has Rear Cross Traffic Alert with vehicle and pedestrian monitoring when reversing with the reverse camera - an alarm will sound with large orange arrows appearing on the reverse camera screen. It has front and rear parking sensors with three levels of sensitivity. The reverse parking camera also has guidelineWILL s to help you park more easily. It also has Road Sign Recognition so there is no excuse for speeding. The speed limit will show up on your instrument cluster and if you’re listening to music the sound will go down if you go over the speed limit and the speed limit sign on the cluster will turn red. The best part of the safety technology in the RAV4 is the Emergency Driver Stop System - this system only works when you are driving in Adaptive Dynamic Radar Cruise Control whilst Lane Trace Assist is operating. It monitors the drivers steering and attention level for example if you not steer properly and lane detection is detecting excessive movement or your hands aren’t detected on the steering wheel the car issues audio and visual alerts on the instrument cluster alerting the driver to take control. If there is no response the Emergency Stop system takes control and brings the vehicle to a gradual stop: The car will stay in its lane and the hazard lights will be activated and all doors unlocked. This feature saves lives when it comes to driver fatigue or medical episodes. The RAV4 also has an advanced integrated Emergency Assistance safety system through the TOYOTA Connected Services App, some features must be paid for through a subscription but the Automatic Collision Notification and built-in SOS Emergency Call button is FREE. You may be driving on a road where you can’t use your adaptive cruise control and you may have an accident. Or you may be alone and feel unsafe. You may be out in the country somewhere for example. If you need help all you have to do is press the SOS button on the roof of the car and Emergency Services will be sent to your exact GPS coordinates location. This works on the 4G and 5G Telstra network and is free for the life of the network. If you are unresponsive, the car has built in crash detection sensors and will automatically contact Emergency ervices and send them to your location. This is great peace of mind, especially if you do a lot of country driving, or drive long distances or drive alone. These safety feature was one of the main reasons for me buying this car also. The RAV4 drives beautifully, I would have to say it is the best car I have ever owned in my life and I have owned countless cars over my 40 years of driving. It’s smooth, the steering is nice and responsive. It’s comfortable there’s plenty of leg and head room. It’s large in the back especially when you fold the seats down. It comfortably fits 3 adult passengers in the back. If you have two passengers in the back there is a pull down armrest in the middle with cupholders. There’s air vents in the back and charging ports. The passengers in the back can choose to have the back of their seat in two positions either more a upright or slightly back. I really wanted heated seats however I was not going to pay thousands of dollars more just to have heated seats when I didn’t want all the other features so I simply bought a 12 V plug in lumbar back cushion for my driver seat which is both heated and a massager for just $40 from Autobarn with a 2 year warranty. I upgraded the sound system which cost me around $1500 and because they only had white vehicles available I had a professional body wrap done on the sides to make it stand out. I absolutely love driving my RAV4. It has Adaptive Cruise Control with a radar allowing for 3 different distances you can choose to maintain behind the car in front - when they slow down your car automatically slows down as well, even if they come to a full stop you gently come to a full stop right behind them, then you just tap the accelerator when they begin to move and your car will gradually build up to speed; if they go faster you continue doing your set speed, when the speed limit changes you simply press a button on the steering wheel you can click quickly and go down or up by 1 km at a time or keep the button pressed longer to go down 10 or 20 km for example. ACC is great when you’re on a long trip or if you have aches and pains in your leg. There is also a ‘HOLD’ button on the console, once pressed, every time you come to a complete stop and have to wait at traffic lights for example, the word ‘HOLD’ will light up on the instrument cluster in Orange and it will hold the brake in place; it saves you constantly pressing your foot on the brake pedal while you wait. As I have arthritis in my knees and sciatica in my right leg and hip, I find it extremely helpful and I use this feature every time I drive, once you turn the engine off, you need to reset it when you turn the engine back on. It also has Eco Mode to save on fuel, especially on long trips in cruise control or when you’re using your air conditioning, Eco Mode is particularly good for driving in the city when you have stop start traffic and a lot of your driving is in EV mode when the car is running off the hybrid battery instead of the petrol engine. Normal Mode is the general driving mode, great for normal urban driving. It will give your acceleration more power than Eco Mode especially when turning across traffic or merging. Sport Mode is for more spirited driving and windy roads. Sport mode is particularly good for hills as it gives the acceleration more power and the car feels more ‘zippy’ to drive, however you will use more fuel driving in this mode, I only use it for steep hills and windy mountainous roads but it is not recommended to use Sport Mode in the wet. It is best to drive in Eco or Normal Mode. I got the GX model because it’s basic and all the controls are easy to use, both the instrument cluster and the multimedia screen are extremely easy to use there’s controls on the steering wheel as well. I like the fact that you don’t have to go into the multimedia screen for everything, it has push buttons for the air-conditioning and heater and knobs for the temperature and volume. It has Apple CarPlay, Android CarPlay and Bluetooth with USB ports and 12 V. It has road sign recognition so there’s no excuse for speeding. If you’re listening to music and you start to go above the speed limit your music will go down and the screen will appear red. It has auto wipers auto high beams daytime running lamps, fog lamps and they’re all led as well. I watched multiple tutorials on the RAV4 - everything from maintenance to hybrid driving techniques; and since the RAV4 was the best selling SUV in the world, it was not a hard decision to make. The base model GX had everything I needed. All the RAV4 models have the same safety systems built into them. The higher models just have extra features which I did not really need. I bought my RAV4 in July 2025 the brand-new price was $49,706, drive away, but there was a 5 - 6 month wait on new cars so I bought a 2024 August build RAV4 with just 15,000 km for $44,321 (saving, $5,385‼️); because I had bought all my other cars from the same dealership I got a fantastic deal - they even paid my registration transfers for me with 6 months registration and a bonus year of warranty so I had the equivalent warranty of a brand-new RAV4 which is 7 years (+ 1 bonus added year) and 10 years on the hybrid battery, with fixed price servicing for the remainder of the first 5 years. A hybrid car suited me very well because I am a naturally conservative driver, as hybrid cars are better driven with slower acceleration from takeoff - although they do move very quickly if you put your foot down but if you’re fuel economical like I am you will drive it conservativey; gliding and braking gently to a stop, where possible when you see the lights ahead have changed to red also helps with fuel economy because gliding and coming to a gentle stop with gentle braking you are charging your hybrid battery to give you more EV driving rather than using the petrol engine more often. There is no point in driving up to a red light fast and then having to stop quickly and then put your foot down when it turns green. Hybrid cars use regenerative braking to recharge the hybrid battery. The battery also charges as you are cruising along especially downhill. Brakes last about 3 - 4 times longer than normal brake pads because you only use the brake pads when you brake heavily. Fuel economy is phenomenal in the 2.5 L hybrid engine. I do 80% freeway driving (5 trips a week consisting of 25 KM urban driving at around 70 KM per hour with a few traffic lights where I use the hybrid ‘pulse and glide’ driving method, which provides much better fuel economy in urban traffic; and 40 KM freeway driving at 80 to 85KM per hour using Adaptive Cruise Control in Eco mode and I get between 4 to 4.3L per 100 KM (TOYOTA states 4.8 L per 100 KM). TOYOTA states for the 2 L petrol RAV4 that it uses 6 to 6.5 L per 100 KM combined. Hybrid cars are more efficient in city driving and low speeds. They use more fuel on the freeway that’s why I drive at 80 - 85 km/h instead of 100. It really makes a difference. I can do my 5 weekly trips on the freeway for 80 km at 100 km/h but my fuel consumption increases to around 5.8 - 6 L per 100 KM so by taking a more economical route and slowing my speed down on the part of the freeway I can’t avoid driving on, I save quite a bit on fuel and with the price of fuel these days and being on a pension I need to save every dollar I can. What is the point of buying a hybrid if you are going to drive it fast and accelerate it into the ground? It beats the purpose! I turn adaptive cruise control off when I drive up and down steep inclines and declines as it does not put as much pressure and stress on the transmission as it tries to maintain the same speed. I only use adaptive cruise control on flat roads or slight inclines and declines. For very steep inclines and declines and winding roads I drive in Sport mode (except in the wet, when I use Normal mode); when driving down steep declines I use the ’S’ gear to prevent wearing out the brake pads and allowing the gears to keep the car moving in a slower mode descending. During the week I also do around 10 short trips of around 3 to 5 km in city driving and multiple short trips are not very good for hybrid engines. In the long-term you need to do frequent freeway drives to get the engine to optimal temperature to not only burn off carbon buildup but moisture that gets into the engine and fuel system; so when I am on the freeway once a fortnight I do a very spirited drive at 100 km/h for 40 minutes. I use 95 Shell and BP fuel in my RAV4 for the additional cleaning agents in the fuel along with PEA (Polyetheramine) fuel additives 4 times a year; even though the RAV4 has a dual fuel injection system having both port and direct fuel injection to help reduce carbon buildup on the manifolds, the many freeway trips I drive as well as the regular spirited driving, using nothing but top quality fuel and a PEA fuel system cleaning agent 4 times a year will not only help reduce carbon buildup but keep my car running much better with less mechanical issues in the long-term. Another thing I love about the RAV4 is the automatic transmission in the hybrid. It has an E-CVT transmission which has no belts or pulleys but an ‘E’lectronic planetary gear system which is described as being the most robust, smooth and fuel economical transmissions ever built, often described as “bullet-proof” whereas the petrol only RAV4 uses an eight speed automatic transmission. With regular transmission fluid changes at approximately every 80,000 KM you will never need to replace your transmission in a RAV4 - but you need to look after it - sealed transmission units are not ‘lifetime’ fluid that never needs changing as claimed. It needs to be changed. Transmission fluid gets extremely hot and gets fine particles of metal throughout over time which can eventually lead to gears slipping; once this has occurred it is too late to change the transmission fluid as it is the small metal particles that are keeping your gears in place, changing the fluid at this stage will cause more gear slippage creating an even bigger problem. Coolant and inverter coolant is just as important and also needs to be changed more regularly than TOYOTA suggests, even though TOYOTA has long life coolant, coolant becomes acidic over time, leaving it can literally start eating away at your car from the inside out without you even realising it. Regular servicing is just as important, TOYOTA recommends oil changes and servicing every 15,000 km or yearly. It is important to stick to this TOYOTA logbook routine to ensure you don’t break your warranty especially for the hybrid battery as it needs to be checked and serviced yearly, the air vents and filters for the hybrid battery need to be cleaned regularly to allow good airflow and stop the hybrid battery overheating. As well as cabin and engine air filters which can be done by yourself very easily, saving you extra at the dealership. However, I also get a service in between at JAX TYRES who use TOYOTA genuine parts, so I have them done at 6 monthly intervals or around 8,000 KM. If you want a car that is going to last you a long time, you can’t beat a RAV4. They are virtually unbreakable even when sticking to TOYOTA‘s recommended scheduled servicing but if you want longevity I would suggest the extra oil changes and the fluid changes along with conservative driving. Of course it costs you extra but it’s basically engine insurance. I don’t have any cash left and can’t get a car loan being on a pension so that’s why I put so much research into choosing this car because I knew it was the last chance I had at buying a car to last me as long as possible. I’m almost 60 and I’m certain that this car will out do me.
- +3
Driver area congested for me I am 6 foot tall,the seat is uncomfortable and terrible to adjust,does not go back far enough plus the pumping height adjustment probably suits cheap car not the mighty Toyota. The middle console is too fat ,hard plastic… Read more
,curved out just where the knee rests and hurts resting on it. The door handle inside is too far forward and takes a lot of effort to pull close due to weight distribution ,and the manual mirror retraction button is just below the handle and most times it gets pushed during door closing and swings the mirrors in,so annoying!!.No mute button on steering,car play screen not tilted towards the driver have to reach out to touch the screen which in rigid ,also the numbers stored in Favourites allow to scroll down only two pages so have to go via contacts and search which is dangerous while driving as Siri sometimes does not understand my accent.No lumbar support in drivers seat ,which should be standard for back issues.No USB C connection at front where it matters for iphone connection.Door mirrors do not swing in when locked.Remote control switches too close to each other and small ,I always misspress them!!. Storage spaces are not lined with soft material or rubber ,it is hard plastic so things just slide around when turning. Boot space is not good enough due to the rear windscreen too slopy ,could have made the roof 6 inches longer and top of wind screen bit straighter for extra space.Had to cut the corner of the storage case to avoid it hitting the windscreen. Lane departure system has steering control hooked up to it and sometimes it tries to "correct" the car but gets it wrong and moves the car towards a car if parked on side of the road ,if I go over the lane slightly ,to avoid the same car!! I hate it but cannot turn of the steering component only,have to turn off the whole lane departure system ,thereby disabling the warning beeps as well.Have to disable very time I start the car as it activates automatically at each start.Very annoying and dangerous so I turn the whole thing off every time and lose the lane departure warning beeps as well.
The Mitsy had the same system without steering control and worked really well due to the warning beeps being much louder as well.
If I put something on the rear seat the seat belt alarm keeps "binging",so annoying ,why cant I hit ok to shut it up?,Its not a person!! In very hot days if I want to start the car without getting in and have the air con kick in before sitting inside,I cant do that due to the st^pid start system needing to sit down ,burn your butt on the seat ,press the brake,then push the button which is in the middel left of the streering wheel so very hard to reach from outside. ,the old fashioned key on right hand side of the steering was far better,could start the car without sitting inside with door open from outside, on hot days it was very handy to get air con going quickly. The steering tilt has a limited range for height as well and my son has his knee/thigh rubbing on the steering wheel when he drives as he is over 6 foot tall.He hasdno issues with the old 2019 Mitsy Outlander as the steering and seat adjustments had wider range.
Electronic handbrake is a pain in case you need to roll the car without starting if battery is flat. I never owned a Toyota before and was forced into the Rav due to Company policy ,its a service use car,but thanks to them no more Toyotas for me in future.Previuos car was Mitsy Outlander 2019 which I loved ,was much better in those things. Use the car everyday for work and do around 30,000 kilometers a year. Also if the drive battery is down on charge then the engine kicks in to charge it on idle and it makes a helluva racket,very noisy! Not sure if more expensive models are improved but those good features like lumbar support mirror swing on lock etc are basic and should be standard.
Car play operation was much simpler in Mitsy as well.
Had to wait 18 months for this thing to be delivered ,totally not worth it at all!Was delivered in March 2024 but was ordered 18 months before ie around 09/2022
Positive for Rav4 is the fuel and mileage and the rotary volume control.
Follow-up · The infotainment system is not very user friendly for me.There should have been a back button and a USB C connector at front.I wish also the doors opened another 10 degrees esp rear ones.The trip meter reset is a pain to get to its like the old school manual reset push hard poking out of the speedometer cluster glass.Mitsy had a button on the right side of the steering wheel,so easy.
We have had a basic model 2025 FWD rav4 purchased new for approx 7 months now and it has been great. Would prefer the "Toyota connected services" stuff was easier to disable, but the car is great to drive, economical with fuel and has lots of space. Even the basic model we got has a bunch of nice features (adaptive cruise control, split zone… Read more
aircon, android auto, etc). We had heard there was a long wait but we only had to wait a couple of weeks to get our vehicle. But we weren't too picky about the colour. Getting 5.6L/100KM so far, lots of freeway driving.
Simply amazing – Toyota RAV4 2023 FWD : A Remarkable Experience Having previously owned both the 2017 RAV4 GXL (FWD) and the 2020 RAV4 Cruiser (AWD), I recently upgraded to the 2023 RAV4 Cruiser (FWD). This new model truly stands out. Design and Luxury: The RAV4’s sleek design and luxurious feel make every drive a joy. Attention to detail is evident throughout.… Read more
Performance and Economy: The powerful engine delivers impressive performance, although I do miss the AWD capability from my 2020 model. Notably, the FWD wheels tend to spin in the rain when accelerating after traffic lights. Fuel Efficiency: Remarkably, I can forget to refuel for up to 800 km, and adding just 45L of 91 UL suffices. Excellent fuel economy! Technology and Comfort: The massive, crisp multimedia screen and mind-boggling 360-camera view are stunning. Heated, ventilated seats, Wireless Apple CarPlay, and fast-charging USB-C connectors enhance convenience. Toyota’s Lane Trace Assist keeps me safely within my lane, surpassing other cars’ systems. Adjustable auto tailgate levels, customizable light sensitivity, and automatic side view mirrors add to the experience. Driving Experience: The 60-profile tires provide a comfortable ride. Responsive steering controls and speed sign recognition make driving easier. Adaptive cruise control enhances safety. The JBL Stereo system impresses. Minor Drawbacks: The electronic rearview mirror disappoints due to its poor refresh rate. The steering feels heavy but could be improved. In summary, the 2023 RAV4 is a gem, though Toyota’s one-year subscription for wireless connectivity remains a drawback.
- +8
You probably don't need to spend more on that AWD model – The RAV4 is wildly popular. If you want a hybrid, you'll be waiting for months after you place your order at the dealership. Is it worth the wait? If you're after a reliable, efficient, comfortable and spacious SUV with a rugged edge to it, it's hard to beat. You could cross shop a Subaru Forester Hybrid, but its hybrid system just isn't as… Read more
good as Toyota's system.
You want a RAV4 because you're either upgrading from your old one, or find most modern SUVs a little tame and rounded.
The RAV4 retains some 'rugged' elements, like chunky dials and buttons, but is mostly a regular Toyota SUV on the inside.
This slightly-above entry-level spec RAV4 is a fine choice for those interested in some minor creature comforts like a reversing camera, 'premium' fabric seats, dual-zone climate controls and 18-inch wheels.
With plenty of ground clearance, smaller wheels and spongey suspension - the RAV4 provides a relaxed ride across most surfaces you're going to encounter day-to-day.
A regen mode is available too, meaning you can maximise your time driving on pure EV power compared to some other hybrids too.
Add in 542L of boot space, and it's a great all-rounder.
During my drive with the RAV4, I never wished for an AWD system. This FWD set-up is suitable for most, and the default drivetrain I'd recommend for most buyers. That's unless you're needing to drive on unsealed surfaces more often than not.
The RAV4 isn't exciting, and it's lost a little of its off-road charm it used to possess. But it's ideal for those who want a boxy mid-size SUV from Toyota that'll simply sip fuel and get you from A to B in relative comfort too.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
Definately worth a Test Drive – I am a Toyota driver, driven everything from Camry to CHR and now a 2021 RAV4 Hybrid. Great on economy, pricing, comfort and safety aspects. Do yourself a big favour. Show details
Definitely low entry level dynamics and comfort – Hired the Hybrid and was looking forward to it. Economy was 6 litres/100Km on mostly country driving. Not good as my 2.0 litre 2005 BMW gets the same and does not need a battery that will need replacing at a sizeable cost. Dynamics were ok for an entry level car. The ABS did not do very well when stopping on dirt roads. The traction control… Read more
was worse. If you accelerated too hard, the back swung out to the side. Possibly it is an early (and cheaper) generation traction control unit. Latest generation traction control and ABS measure wheel slip many times a second and hence the wheel does not noticeably slip as it slipping is stopped just as it starts. The Toyota seemed to have a less sophisticated control unit as the wheels spun, stopped spinning, spun again, stopped spinning and spun again, which is why the rear end slid out sideways. May work better on smooth bitumen?
Comfort was good in the front seats. I can see people taking a test drive and being impressed. The road noise while on a highway in the back was quite high as there is little sound insulation for the rear passengers and the boot has places with no sound insulation at all. To speak to the rear passengers needed us in the front to raise our voices so much that it was better to speak when in towns with slower road speed. The windows did not stop the sun burning through onto your arm. More advanced cars use different glass that looks the same but stops most of the heat getting through so passengers are more comfortable, the aircon does not need to work as hard, etc.
Safety. The self steering was ok so long as there were well painted lines on both sides of the road such as a major multi lane highway. On good country roads, it would it was unable to detect the left side white line unless it was new and well painted. Roads where the left edge was less defined such as parts missing or a section was damaged where a truck ran wide in the past etc., meant the car would continue to slowly veer off the road. So. Ok for good highways, not for driving on the usual country roads. Passing other cars was a bit slow. I know that electric motors can provide enormous power short short times such as say 10 seconds (I am engineer). Not sure why Toyota did not let the battery give the motor more power so overtaking would be safer?
Sophistication was low. The touch panel was not intuitive to use. If you walk up to the car and unlock it with the key fob, the windows will not wind down so you can let the car cool down before driving off. You have to put the key fob in the centre console and push the start button. This means there are no smarts in the electricals, it's just a wire to the switch and battery. By comparison, in a 16 year old 3 series BMW, you can use the key fob to unlock and wind down the windows as you walk up. No need to get in a hot car. This is because the windows, etc., are all smart and under the control of the car's computer which does what you want when you press the fob buttons, such as just open the drivers door, or open all doors, or wind up all windows and close the sunroof as you hold the "lock car" button.
Overall a basic unsophisticated car. Quite good and a cheap price (around $48K), hence maybe you cannot expect the latest (or expect a 2005 level of sophistication) such as high quality ABS and traction control, a quiet ride in the back and creature comforts.
Dangerous list of unresolved problems and issues. Please share! – I drive economically with the rare firm acceleration once every few trips. Daily drive taking partner to work equating to 20-25000 kms a year. Serviced on time. Videos of issues attached My low rating is both due to the issues existing and the lack of effort to resolve issues and take them seriously. Every RAV4 has this first issue. 1. slip… Read more
light remains on frequently when starting the car. Won't go out until you let brake off completely. If on steep slope you can put car in drive and start moving at which point the car is difficult to stop especially if Toyota washed your brakes like mine. https://youtu.be/bTD9-XV2X14 2. Brakes randomly let up while trying to brake. NOT ABS under steady braking the brakes will sometimes stop braking. Happens a few times a month. 3. squeaky brakes from new, resolved by machining brakes after being washed. Still minor squeaking for a while before it stopped. 4. Hybrid system will often malfunction. From accelerating while trying to brake to most commonly petrol engine refusing to turn off. I can drive home gently with battery 80% and all of a sudden petrol engine decides to kick in. press ev mode, car says unavailable. I stop car press ev mode and now it turns off. As soon as car moves slightly, petrol engine starts again. This means my hybrid car will often waste petrol driving down hill. It has often done this at full battery. 5. Lane keep assist trying to steer me into on coming traffic and beeping when I'm far from left line but rarely beeping for right line. When reported NOTHING was done or tested being told this is factory thing. I recently discovered it can be calibrated but unfortunately takes hours and instead advised to turn it off or disable it. 6. Squishing and occasional knock from suspension. (minor issue) 7. Boot struts are sometimes very hard (minor issue) 8. From new wipers skip across windshield (minor issue) resolved myself recently by cleaning Goof-off from Bunnings on a rag. (I am not recommending its just what I did to fix it after nothing working)
I have been to 4 different dealerships around south west Brisbane. Some have spent an hour or so driving with me but issues that happen a few times a week or month need to be driven more than an hour.
Issue 1. and 2. has been classed as normal behaviour and opperation by Toyota in consultation with (head office/ senior technicians).
Issue 3. 4. have been reported as no fault found and unable to replicate even though video footage has been recorded and witnessed.
Issue 2. was unable to be observed after several attempts with multiple service departments yet to this day I still experience the issue. The best attempt a department has made to replicate the issue is taking the car home for a night on a 15 minute drive and allowing me to drive a new one for a day. This made it clear to me not only am I experiencing weird issues but my car was extremely under-powered and rough to drive. Not even close to what I paid for.
After multiple attempts to get issues resolved I have requested a replacement vehicle given the hours of driving I have done trying to diagnose and fault the car. Toyota guest experience/ head office has refused me twice. I am now at the point of looking at buying a new RAV4 which dealerships are happy to process but absolutely no deal or budging on price. You would think after all this the lease they could do is knock a couple dollars off. I'm still unsure what I want to do because it seems like absolute rubbish that I have to pay thousands more on a car that has been a lemon from the beginning with squeaking brakes. Videos attached.
Excellent dashcam – Dashcam fitted front and back works excellently. Very easy to use and the Toyota sales staff were very helpful in explaining the features. Makes us feel a lot safer. Highly recommended. Show details
Absolutely Amazing Vehicle - Simply The Best – We were a family that was loyal to Nissan for years and decided to switch to Toyota. This vehicle is spacious, economical, quiet, comfortable and stylish. What an awesome buy! Vehicle is mostly used as a shopping basket by the home boss! :) Show details
Hybrid is fantastic! – This is our second Rav4 hybrid, we traded our first GX model at the dealer, after 2 years for only 3k drop price from what we paid, we upgraded this time to the Cruiser and love it, we average 5.5lt/100km fuel consumption which is less than half of our old Xtrail, comfort is great, I never thought we would use the heated seats living in Qld. Show details
A very competent car, so smooth – Had the car for 4 months now. Cannot complain. As smooth and quiet as a Lexus. Surprisingly quiet and quick for its size. Cabin is full of nice features. Minor complaints but overall am quite satisfied. Show details
Find out how Toyota RAV4 XA50 FWD 2.5L Hybrid compares to other Midsize / Medium SUVs
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Great vehicle, only a few minor things needed for 5 Stars – Such a great drive, so relaxed & comfortable with great fuel efficiency. Brakes are fantastic a massive improvement on my previous 07/2015 Toyota Camry Altise Hybrid - Base Model, which were hit & miss at times as a result of regenerative braking. Good space making it feel reasonably spacious inside whilst feeling compact outside, noise levels… Read more
inside are fairly quiet. Good tech & safety features like Radar Cruise control, Blind spot monitoring, Lane keep assist & CarPlay, etc to make any journey enjoyable & calming. Vision is really good, especially with the extra little windows on the front doors instead of internal side mirror covers which really reduces the front blind spots, side mirrors also give an excellent view down both sides in most cases effectively reducing the blind spots. Really nice looking vehicle even the base model, highly recommended, great job Toyota. My only feedback would be the keyless entry handles with open & close function, which is super convenient so you can open the car without removing the key remote from your pocket or bag + an independent tailgate unlock button, so you don’t have to unlock all doors to just open the tailgate (Both of these features were standard on my above previous 07/2015 Toyota Camry Altise Hybrid - Base Model),also mirror’s that can be folded in & out without the power on would be handy.
No brainer – If you thinking of spending around $40K for a SUV, strongly consider the Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid. It has numerous safety features with many bells and whistles. Extremely fuel efficient. Currently getting around 880 km on a tank of petrol. Fuel gauge is displaying 5.7 litres per 100 km. Extremely quiet and excellent for the environment. It will hold… Read more
its value over many years. Had to wait 5 months for delivery but well worth the wait. Toyota have been making hybrids for over 20 years so their technology is well ahead of the pack. Highly recommended. Absolute no brainer.
Saves me petrol & nice ride – I use my car to drive to work, run errands and occasionally drive off-road for picnics and adventure. The car is driven daily and even more on weekends & public holidays. The car comes with a 5 year unlimited warranty so it’s a peace of mind and every annual service has been pegged so bring it back to the dealer is not worrying at all that you’re going to get ripped off! Show details
Best decision ever – After realizing that diesel engines in cars in Australia are basically being phased out, we decided to look at the alternatives. Fuel economy was no.1 on our list as we drive 180kms a day. Luckily, after doing some homework, we took the Rav 4 hybrid for a drive. Very surprised by the performance, cab space and standard features against the… Read more
competitors and it was cheaper! What's more,Toyota offered a guaranteed buy back price after 4 years, which was about 50% of the original value and that's doing 45,000kms a year. It's a few kms over for the 1st service at 15,000, and no issues to attend to apart from the service and that's a 1st for me! Well done Toyota and the team at Launceston Toyota, awesome to deal with backed up by their service department.
Brilliant – A solid car. Has plenty of room for my needs, is fuel efficient, has a great build and is very robust. The ease of use is brilliant and the seller offers great service if required Show details
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