Toyota RAV4
About the Toyota RAV4
Last updated Jun 07, 2024Toyota has made no changes to its RAV4 for 2024. It's Australia's best-selling SUV, and a majority of Toyota RAV4 sales are of the fuel-sipping hybrid variant. That makes it one of Australia's most popular hybrid vehicles, in addition to one of the few hybrid mid-sized SUVs on the market.
The range opens up with the RAV4 GX 2WD from $39,760 before on-road costs and extends to $58,360 before on-road costs for the flagship RAV4 Edge Hybrid AWD.
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.8 L / 100km |
|---|---|
| ANCAP Rating | 5-star |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Video Review
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2024 Toyota RAV4 hybrid (inc. 0-100) review
There are HUGE waiting lists for a hybrid Toyota RAV4...but is it still the best SUV in the segment? Paul Maric takes one for a drive to see if it still represents good value for money.
Summary
Efficient hybrid powertrain
Spacious and comfortable interior
Balanced dynamics
So-so infotainment
Extraordinarily long waiting lists for some variants
Base powertrain is less impressive
Price & Specs
Reviews
News
Toyota RAV4 Range Guide
RAV4 GX highlights:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Satellite navigation
- 4.2-inch multi-information display
- DAB digital radio
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- 60/40 split-fold rear seats and centre armrest
- Dual-zone climate control (hybrid only)
- LED headlights (parabolic, auto-levelling in petrol; projector in hybrid)
- Automatic high-beam
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Five USB ports
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- Front/rear carpet mats
- Space saver spare tyre
- Rear mudflaps
- Electronic parking brake
- DAB+ radio
- Rear seat belt reminders
- LED interior lighting
RAV4 GXL adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- ‘Premium’ grille and bumper combo
- Privacy glass
- Leatherette-wrapped shifter
- Self-dimming rear-view mirror
- Dual-zone climate control
- Keyless entry and start
- Wireless phone charging
- Reversing camera with active guide lines
- Front mudflaps
- Roof rails
- Illuminated interior door switches
RAV4 XSE adds:
- Black exterior accents
- Black two-tone roof finish
- 18-inch alloy wheels in gloss black
- Black headliner and pillar garnish
- Leather-accented door trims
- Ambient lighting (model specific)
- Softex ‘premium’ seat upholstery
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support (driver)
- 7.0-inch driver supervision display
- Electric tailgate
RAV4 Cruiser adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels (Cruiser 2WD)
- 18-inch alloy wheels in gloss black (Hybrid)
- Auto power-folding mirrors
- Power sunroof
- Power tailgate
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- Ambient lighting
- Nine-speaker JBL sound system
- Surround-view camera
- Heated front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Heated/ventilated front seats
- Eight-way power seat adjustment (front passenger)
RAV4 Edge adds:
- Model-specific exterior styling
- Off-road mode selector dial
- Hill-descent control
- Softex ‘premium’ upholstery
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Parking support brake
Compare
Interior
The interior presents pretty well two years after the current-generation RAV4’s launch, though some elements are a little dated.
The clean, uncluttered layout with more straight lines has aged well, and build quality feels rock solid.
Opting for the Cruiser and Edge gets you padded, leatherette-lined door tops compared to the hard plastic of lower grades, but otherwise the fundamentals are the same. The touchpoints are all soft-touch or leather/leatherette-lined, the ergonomics are sound, and visibility is great.
Where the RAV4 feels a little behind the benchmarks is in its displays and infotainment system. The 8.0-inch central touchscreen is well featured on paper – offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio and, on most models, satellite navigation – but in operation it feels quite old hat.
The graphics aren’t super flashy, the screen resolution is fairly average compared to Korean and European alternatives, and response times are laggy. At least it has physical shortcut buttons, though.
Space and storage up front is pretty good, with a decent cubby under the front-centre armrest, deep door bins that can accommodate larger bottles, as well as cupholders between the front seats. There’s also the shelf midway up the dashboard in front of the passenger that can hold phones and wallets.
In the second row the Toyota continues to be one of the class leaders, with more than enough room for two tall adults even behind other tall adults in the front.
ISOFIX anchor points on the outboard positions mean parents can get little ones secured, and there are bottle holders in the doors and air vents.
Should you need to fit a third person in the middle, the seat itself is wide enough to be reasonably comfortable for longer journeys, but if you are putting three teenagers in the back regularly, it may be worth looking at a Kluger.
It’s no wonder the Toyota RAV4 has proven to be so popular with Australian families, given its spacious and versatile interior.
Exterior
The GX is the only model to ride on 17-inch alloy wheels.
The GXL, XSE and Cruiser Hybrid ride on 18s, with the latter two featuring wheels with a gloss black finish.
Petrol Cruiser models feature 19-inch alloys, as do all Edge models. The latter also feature aesthetic tweaks like a unique grille to distinguish them from lesser RAV4s.
The new XSE grade also features various black finishes inside and out.
Toyota RAV4 Photo Gallery
Toyota RAV4 Colours
The Toyota RAV4 is available in nine different colours, however not all are available across all variants. The following are available on the Cruiser and GXL:
- Glacier White
- Crystal Pearl
- Silver Sky
- Graphite
- Atomic Rush (red)
- Eclipse Black
- Mineral Blue
- Saturn Blue
The GX misses out on Crystal Pearl. The XSE missed out on Crystal Pearl, Atomic Rush, Eclipse lack and Saturn Blue.
The top-spec Toyota RAV4 Edge misses out on the two white colours and Saturn Blue but it does get its own unique Jungle Khaki colour.
Premium paint is a $675 option.
A full list of colours for the 2022 range has yet to be announced.
Cost of Ownership
Toyota Australia offers up to five years (60 months) or 75,000km of capped-price servicing, with intervals of 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
All RAV4 engine variants cost $230 per service for the first five visits under the capped-price servicing program.
How it Drives
Toyota products based on the TNGA platform have consistently scored well for their ride and handling balance, offering a direct enough connection to keep you involved while being impressively comfortable all round.
The RAV4 is no different. Steering this mid-size SUV is wonderfully predictable and fluid, and it’s just as at home on pimpled inner-city streets as it is out on the freeway.
With the hybrid powertrain, it almost always sets off on e-power, and the petrol engine kicks in once things are rolling. You can silently putt along below 40km/h on flat ground or descents.
You can chirp the tyres easily in front-wheel drive hybrid models but you won’t with the base 2.0-litre. It doesn’t have much oomph until you’re carrying some revs, with some breathless moments as the speedo gradually climbs. It’s fine for urban commuting, however.
The hybrid is more athletic, though hit the throttle a little harder and the 2.5-litre petrol quickly fires, as the CVT flares revs to keep you in the power band. As is the case with Toyota’s hybrid engines, pushing hard can result in a vocal, unrefined soundtrack. That applies to the 2.0-litre, too.
Another issue across the range is the presence of tyre roar on rougher road surfaces.
When you’re not wringing its neck, the RAV4 Hybrid gets along in a smooth and relaxed manner, and the shuffling between power sources is generally pretty seamless bar the change in sound.
When things get twisty the RAV4 is happy to play along, too. As noted earlier the TNGA underpinnings and communicative controls mean it’s not a bore to pilot this thing through bends, and if you flick it into Power mode both power sources team up to give you a bit of shove.
Toyota’s suite of assists are impressive. Where previous generations of product had overzealous steering corrections and an infuriating range of beeps and bongs, this latest iteration is intuitive, more natural and more likely to be kept on.
Adaptive cruise control and Lane Tracing Assist work well to take the load off longer freeway stints, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras aid visibility at various speeds.
It makes the RAV4 a very easy car to live with, and its all-round consistency and competency is no doubt a key driver to its sales success not just in Australia but globally.
Toyota RAV4 Safety Rating
The Toyota RAV4 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted in 2019.
It scored of 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 85 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 83 per cent for safety assist.
The following safety features are standard across the range:
- AEB with pedestrian/daytime cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Lane departure warning
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Trailer sway control
For 2022 the RAV4 Edge gains rear cross-traffic assist, as well as low-speed AEB in forward and reverse for static objects when parking.
Toyota RAV4 Options
You can add satellite navigation to the GX Hybrid for $1000, or both sat-nav and a full-size spare for $1300.
The only other option is a panoramic sunroof, which is limited to the Edge petrol. You can't option this with the Edge Hybrid.
Toyota RAV4 Warranty
The RAV4 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Stick to your annual service schedule and the company extends the engine and driveline warranty to seven years, while hybrid batteries are covered for up to 10 years provided logbook maintenance is conducted during that period.
Toyota RAV4 Stock Availability
Toyota RAV4 buyers have experienced some of the longest waiting times in the industry, with those who have ordered popular variants like the Cruiser hybrid waiting an average of 12 months to get the keys.
This is unlikely to change until the second half of this year.
Toyota RAV4 Boot Space
The Toyota RAV4’s boot space measures 580L with the rear seats up and with a space-saver spare. A full-size spare is optional only in GX models.
Toyota RAV4 Fuel Economy
The Toyota RAV4 uses 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle in front-wheel drive hybrid guise and 4.8L/100km with all-wheel drive.
Official figures for 2022 models with naturally-aspirated engines have yet to be released. These may see improved fuel economy with the addition of automatic stop/start technology. The 2021 RAV4, when equipped with the 2.0-litre engine, uses 6.5L/100km and the 2.5-litre Edge uses 7.5L/100km.
The 2024 TOYOTA RAV4 is Combined (4.8) and E10 Compatible (-).
Toyota RAV4 Dimensions
The RAV4 measures 4615mm long, 1690mm tall and 1865mm wide, with a 2690mm wheelbase.
Towing capacity varies. Braked towing capacity is 480kg in front-wheel drive hybrid models, 800kg in 2.0-litre models, and 1500kg in AWD hybrid and 2.5-litre models.
Unbraked towing capacity is 750kg in all bar the front-wheel drive hybrid models, where it’s 480kg.
The kerb weight of the 2.0-litre petrol RAV4 ranges from 1515kg to 1620kg.
Depending on the variant, the 2024 TOYOTA RAV4 measures as below.
| Variant | Series | Style | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GX (2WD) HYBRID | AXAH52R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| GX (2WD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | AXAH52R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| GX (AWD) HYBRID | AXAH54R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| GX (AWD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | AXAH54R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| GXL (2WD) HYBRID | AXAH52R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| GXL (AWD) HYBRID | AXAH54R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| XSE (2WD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | AXAH52R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| CRUISER (2WD) HYBRID | AXAH52R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| XSE (AWD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | AXAH54R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| CRUISER (AWD) HYBRID | AXAH54R | 5D WAGON | 4600 | 1855 | 1685 | 2690 |
| EDGE (AWD) HYBRID | AXAH54R | 5D WAGON | 4615 | 1855 | 1690 | 2690 |
The 2024 TOYOTA RAV4 has a braked towing capacity from 1500kg to 480kg depending on the variant and an unbraked towing capacity from 480kg to 750kg depending on the variant.
Toyota RAV4 Market Fit
The Toyota RAV4 competes in one of the most bustling and popular segments on the Australian new car market. There's a glut of rivals, including but not limited to the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan.
There are also models from challenger brands, including the Haval H6, MG HS and SsangYong Korando.
Toyota RAV4 Sales Data
The RAV4 was not only easily the best-selling mid-sized SUV in Australia in 2023, it was the best-selling SUV, period.
Toyota sold 29,258 RAV4s in 2023.
Owner Reviews
Should you buy the Toyota RAV4
Yes.
If you can stomach a potentially long wait, you'll get one of the most impressive mid-sized SUVs on the market. There's a reason these are so popular.
Competitor Analysis
There's a glut of rivals for the RAV4 but some of the more popular options in the segment include the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail.
The Outlander and X-Trail are the only members of this group to offer the option of a (small) third row. The former was recently redesigned, and a new version of the latter is launching later in 2022 to replace the rather dated current X-Trail. There's no hybrid Outlander, though Mitsubishi is introducing a redesigned plug-in hybrid.
The Tucson and Sportage have also been recently redesigned, though there's no sign yet of the hybrid models available overseas. They offer cabins similarly spacious to that of the RAV4, all of which are roomier than the CX-5 which counters by being among the more engaging vehicles in this segment to drive.
Toyota RAV4 Interesting Facts
Hybrid models account for over 70 per cent of RAV4 sales overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enquiring through CarExpert is one of the easiest ways to order a new 2024 Toyota RAV4. We connect you with an accredited dealer/s and equip you with information on current deals, what others have paid, plus, our independent reviews and ratings. You can also call our friendly Concierge team whenever you need support - they remain on hand throughout the process to ensure you get the service (and value!) we demand of our partnered dealers.
When you buy a new 2024 Toyota RAV4 through CarExpert, speed, confidence and great value come standard.