2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid‘s features, practicality, fuel efficiency, and no-fuss ownership available in the regular RAV4 keep Toyota’s compact crossover selling like movie-theater popcorn. If you want butter on that, the RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offer it by being both quicker and more fuel efficient. The Prime plug-in hybrid model gets 38 mpg combined, can outrun a four-cylinder Toyota Supra sports car to 60 mph, and can travel 42 miles on all-electric power.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine bolted to a continuously variable transmission and assisted by three electric motors. Combined output adds up to 219 horsepower, and because one of the electric motors powers the rear axle, all-wheel drive is standard on all RAV4 Hybrid trims. The additional output and e-motors make the RAV4 Hybrid quicker and more efficient than the unelectrified standard model. We clocked a 7.3-second 60-mph time in the Woodland Edition trim we tested, the gas-only model needing 8.0 seconds to perform the same task.

Drivers will feel that pep, too, particularly around town, where the electric motor’s immediate torque delivery provides extra shove when taking off from a stop. For even more performance, the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime is happy to oblige. Equipped with more powerful electric motors, the Prime’s combined output totals 302 horsepower. In our testing, the RAV4 Prime zipped to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. Like the standard RAV4, the hybrid and Prime models’ handling is competent and its ride comfortable, but don’t expect any cornering heroics.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime hides an 18.1-kWh battery pack, good for an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 42 miles. In our testing, we managed to drive for 32 miles on electricity alone, but that was on the highway; we would expect a longer driving range in the city. Toyota made its 6.6-kWh charger standard on both the Prime SE and Prime XSE, so charging time is just 2.5 hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet. If only a 120-volt outlet is available, expect charging times to be about 12 hours.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model is far more efficient than the unelectrified, gas-powered RAV4 with AWD. The EPA estimates the Hybrid will achieve 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 40 mpg combined, beating the regular RAV4 by 14 mpg, 5 mpg, and 11 mpg, respectively. When we tested the RAV4 Hybrid on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, it delivered 37 mpg, 1 mpg less than its EPA rating. The rugged-looking Woodland Edition Hybrid managed only 32 mpg on the same route, which is 3 mpg less than its EPA rating. The Prime plug-in hybrid earns an EPA combined rating of 38 mpg and 94 MPGe, and delivered 73 MPGe during our highway fuel-economy test. For more information about the RAV4 Hybrid’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The cabins in the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime add flourishes to separate themselves from the interior of the nonhybrid model, but they still prioritize practicality over style. With a plethora of cubbies and bins to choose from, you’ll have ample space to stash small cargo, and all of the buttons and controls are easy to find and operate. Even the base level gets a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a height-adjustable false floor in the cargo area.

Higher up the trim ladder the menu expands with features like heated front and rear seats, ambient interior lighting, and upgraded faux-leather upholstery that Toyota calls SofTex. The RAV4 Hybrid offers identical cargo and passenger space as the regular RAV4, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Prime gives up a little bit of cargo room thanks to its larger battery. In our testing of the RAV4 Hybrid, we managed to fit 10 carry-on suitcases behind the second row and 22 with the rear seat folded.

Infotainment and Connectivity

LE and XLE trims come with an 8.0-inch infotainment display sprouting from their dashboard while XSE, Limited, and Prime XSE models provide a 10.5-inch screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as well as an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard. Most models also come with a 7.0-inch digital gauge display but a larger 12.3-inch one comes on Limited and Prime XSE trims and is optional on the XLE Premium. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL stereo system are available. Otherwise, you’ll get a six-speaker system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Toyota has been an aggressive adopter of driver-assistance features and offers many of them standard across the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid lineup. For more information about the RAV4 Hybrid’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

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