Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

RAV4

Base trim: $27,975  

Pictured: RAV4 Off-Road in Cavalry Blue with Ice Edge Roof. MSRP as tested $42,700.

RAV4 Hybrid

Base trim: $31,225.

Pictured:  2023 RAV4 Hybrid Woodlands Edition. MSRP starting from $34,025.

RAV4

The RAV4 has been the nation's top-selling SUV for many years. It offers a wide range of trim levels and options, including hybrid and plug-in models, to appeal to different budgets. The RAV4 scores highly in safety and reliability and has good fuel economy, even in the gas engine types.  If you're looking for a practical SUV that's built to last, you can't go wrong with RAV4.

The only issue you may encounter is finding one, especially if you want specific features. There's high demand for this vehicle, so you may need to order or wait to get exactly what you want.

RAV4 HYBRID

The RAV4 hybrid shares its technology and driver assistance features with the gas-only version. The hybrid lineup, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, is the more fuel efficient choice.

The RAV4 hybrid was the second best-selling hybrid in Toyota's lineup in the first quarter of 2023, behind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Toyota is also a pioneer when it comes to hybrid powertrains and The Car Pro Jerry Reynolds considers them the best in the industry with proven reliability. Reynolds says Toyota's hybrid batteries will generally go 225,000 miles or more.

RAV4

For 2023, all RAV4 models are equipped with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with over-the-air updates, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

TRD Off-Road, Limited and Prime XSE now all come standard with a new 10.5-inch Multimedia display for 2023. Other models feature a new 8-inch Multimedia screen.

A new 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is  standard on Limited and Prime XSE,  and optional on TRD Off-Road.  A 7-inch Multi-Information Display screen is standard on lower trims.

RAV4 Hybrid

New for 2023, the RAV4 Hybrid lineup adds a Woodlands Edition. It's the first hybrid off-road special edition SUV for the brand. It features a TRD-tuned suspension and standard Falken WILDPEAK AT tires.  

Also new for 2023, all RAV4 hybrid and gasoline models features the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system along with upgraded multimedia touchscreens and multi-information displays: Hybrid XSE and Hybrid Limited feature a standard 10.5-inch Multimedia display.  A 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is standard on Hybrid Limited and optional on Hybrid XSE.

RAV4

• More capable than the Hybrid lineup thanks to Adventure and TRD Off Road grades
• Less expensive base price than the hybrid model

RAV4 Hybrid

• Better fuel economy over gas-only model
• More powerful with quicker acceleration
• Quieter engine

RAV4

• Engine is on the louder side
• Not as fuel efficient as the hybrid version
• Doesn't offer as quick acceleration

RAV4 Hybrid

• Gas-only variant offers more ground clearance 
• Lineup doesn't offer as much towing capability
• Hybrid variant doesn't offer Multi-Terrain Select

RAV4

RAV4 Hybrid

30 mpg  (LE FWD, LW AWD, XLE FWD,  XLE Premium, Limited FWD)

29 mpg ( XLE AWD,  XLE Premium AWD, 

28 mpg (Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited AWD)

40 mpg (LE, XLE/XLE Premium, Limited, SE, XSE)

37 mpg (Woodland Edition)

27 mpg (LE FWD, LW AWD, XLE FWD, XLE AWD, XLE Premium, XLE Premium AWD, Limited FWD)

 25 mpg (Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited AWD)

41 mpg (LE, XLE/XLE Premium, Limited, SE, XSE)

38 mpg (Woodland Edition)

35 mpg (LE FWD, Limited FWD)

34 mpg (LE AWD, XLE FWD, XLE Premium FWD)

33 mpg  (XLE AWD,  XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited AWD)  

32 mpg (TRD Off-Road)

38 mpg (LE, XLE/XLE Premium, Limited, SE, XSE)

35 mpg (Woodland Edition)

RAV4

RAV4 Hybrid

• New 10.5-inch Multimedia display with 6 speakers  (TRD Off-Road, Limited.) 8-inch with 6 speakers screen is base. 
• New Toyota Audio Multimedia system with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, standard SiriusXM (subscription required) and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity
  
• 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display (Limited and Prime XSE). 7-inch display is base
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• Optional wireless charging
• SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subscription  
• Backup camera or backup camera with dynamic gridlines depending on trim
  
  

• New 10.5-inch Multimedia display with 6 speakers  (Hybrid XSE, Hybrid Limited.) 8-inch with 6 speakers screen is base. 
• New Toyota Audio Multimedia system with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, standard SiriusXM (subscription required) and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity
  
• 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display (Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE). 7-inch display is base.
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• Optional wireless charging
• SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subscription  
• Backup camera or backup camera with dynamic gridlines depending on trim

• 5 USB ports
• Available: one 120V/100W AC power outlet in cargo area 
• Available: one 120V/100W AC power outlet in cargo area
  
  

• 5 USB ports
• Available: one 120V/100W AC power outlet in cargo area 
• Available: one 120V/100W AC power outlet in cargo area

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) with Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), ^*Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
• Available Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• Available Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) with Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), ^*Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
• Available Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• Available Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats
• Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)  
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags  — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats
• Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)  
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags  — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags
•  

RAV4

RAV4 Hybrid

RAV4

RAV4 Hybrid

180.9 in. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 181.5 in. (Adventure and TRD Off-Road grade)

180.9"

73.0 in. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 73.4 in. (Adventure and TRD Off-Road grade)

73"

67.0 in. (LE and XLE)

67.2 in. (XLE Premium and Limited)

68.6 in. (Adventure and TRD Off-Road grade)

219-horsepower

14.5

14.5

3,370/3,490 lbs. (LE)

3,405/3,515 lbs.

(XLE and XLE Premium)

3,615 lbs. (Adventure and TRD)

3,485/3,640 lbs. (Limited)

3,690 lbs. (LE HV)

3,775 lbs. (Woodland, XLE HV, XLE Premium HV, SE HV and XSE HV)

3,800 lbs. (Limited HV)

1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 3,500 lbs. (Adventure grade/TRD)

1,750 pounds