Toyota RAV4 - TopCarNews

Toyota RAV4 (2019 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Toyota RAV4 is a mid-size SUV/crossover, which in the UK is available with either a petrol-electric regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain. Over the last 25 years, the RAV4 has been one of the biggest-selling models in the world, and a pioneer for the current trend of car-based SUV-style vehicles.

The latest model is the fifth generation of RAV4, and was launched in early 2019. Many of the early reviews were conducted overseas in non-UK spec cars, with local reviews being added all the time. A plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4 joined the range in 2021.

The Toyota RAV 4 has received generally good reviews from the UK automotive media and ranks several points behind the best in its class. It has been particularly praised for its practicality, low CO₂ and fuel consumption figures (with corresponding tax benefits for company car drivers) and comfort. The new plug-in hybrid model has so far achieved higher scores than the standard hybrid model. However, all models have been criticised for high noise levels at motorway speeds.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £30,595 on-road

Launched: Winter 2018/19Last updated: Winter 2020/21
Replacement due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Score: 8.2 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a compelling package. Its on-road performance is highly competent, and the economy and emissions will be particularly appealing to those coming out of diesel vehicles.”
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Auto Express

Score: 8 / 10“Toyota RAV4 offers unique styling, hybrid power and great build quality, but it trails rivals in some key areas.”
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Model reviewed: PHEVScore: 7 / 10“From a technological point of view, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is an impressive achievement. This is a comfortable and refined plug-in hybrid SUV.”
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Score: 8 / 10“The RAV4 is spacious, refined and well built, and while some rivals offer sharper handling, the Toyota counters with great comfort.”
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Score: 7 / 10“There’s much to like about the Toyota RAV4 – an excellent chassis, decent practicality, impressive efficiency and strong BiK figures. It falls down badly, though, in the sort of connectivity and smartphone integration that buyers are demanding.”
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Auto Trader

Score: 7.4 / 10“The RAV4 will appeal to many as a safe, reliable SUV with generous equipment levels, but there are some elements of it that aren’t up to the standards of its rivals.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: PHEV 2021Score: 8 / 10“Standard equipment on the RAV4 PHEV is generous and it is exceptionally well-built. An easily recommendable PHEV SUV.”
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Score: 8 / 10“You wouldn’t call it pretty, but this new RAV4 hybrid is a pretty good SUV. It’s more athletic, efficient and aesthetically appealing, and makes quite a compelling case for itself.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Dynamic PremiumScore: 8 / 10“The additional weight of the larger battery does mean you’ll notice some initial resistance when asking for changes in direction along with a tendency to run out of front-end grip. Thankfully, a host of electronic safety devices are included to help prevent the worst from happening.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Design 2.5 Hybrid CVT AWD-iScore: 6 / 10“There’s plenty to like about the Toyota RAV4, from its economical low CO2 hybrid powertrain to the impressive practicality, standard safety kit and near-faultless reliability record. It’s a shame that the disappointing infotainment system and unpolished hybrid powertrain let the side down.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: PHEV 2021Score: 8 / 10“There’s a real sense that Toyota went big with this RAV4 Plug-in. From its strong performance to its fantastic electric range, things have not been done by halves here.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 will appeal to company car drivers and its striking design helps it stand out in a busy class.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Toyota RAV4 is a practical family SUV that has a roomy cabin, plenty of standard equipment and an economical hybrid system, but alternatives have tech that’s easier to use.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: PHEV“Far from cheap, but the RAV4 PHEV is quick, good to drive and the running costs are good, thanks to the impressive range and efficiency of the hybrid powertrain.”
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic Excel 2WD“Striking but divisive looks make a strong first impression, but it’s the low emissions and running costs that have the biggest impact.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid DynamicScore: 6 / 10“It’s a Toyota so unlikely to ever go wrong, but the cabin plastics and average quality infotainment screen graphics are a bit out of place in a car costing this much.”
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic 2WD ExcelScore: 8 / 10“The new Toyota RAV4 is a much more appealing motor than its deadly dull, if extremely reliable, predecessors.”
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Eurekar

Model reviewed: PHEV“The Toyota RAV4 PHEV is a formidable competitor in the quality SUV sector.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: PHEVScore: 8 / 10“The RAV4 Plug-in is powerful, good to drive and offers welcome BiK savings.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: ExcelScore: 8 / 10“The new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a big improvement on the last model, offering a genuinely efficient driving experience for a spacious SUV.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Efficient hybrid crossover available with two- or four-wheel drive. Spacious and robust interior. Very quiet and refined to drive.”
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“Long story short, it’s cheap for company car buyers, spacious, well made, decent around town, noisy on the motorway, clumsy to drive quickly, and not especially memorable.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7.2 / 10“Spacious SUV let down by unpolished hybrid powertrain”
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The Sun

“Toyota’s best-selling SUV is a big family motor, with emissions of just 100g/km and a host of new features to impress its loyal fan-base.”
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The Telegraph

Score: 8 / 10“The RAV4 PHEV is a two-tonne hot rod.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 6 / 10“With its existing hybrid systems, Toyota is making hay while the sun shines, capitalising on the demise of diesel.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: PHEVScore: 8 / 10“So far as unpretentiously sensible cars go, the RAV4 PHEV is right up there with the worthiest of them.”
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Model reviewed: DynamicScore: 5 / 10“Toyota’s key strengths lie in the less tangible stuff: reliability, robustness and so on. The kind of stuff that’s hard to assess. But this new one does ride quietly and well.”
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Score: 7 / 10“Not much fun to drive, but as a financial and fuel-saving choice it really does take some beating.”
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What Car?

Score: 8 / 10“It’s a little pricier to buy than some other large SUVs, but you should make that back down the line through its strong resale values. If you’re a company car driver, the RAV4 should work out to be one of the cheapest large SUVs on company car tax, too.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a likeable new mid-size SUV. It’s well-made, comfortable and easy to live with. With decent practicality and the potential for high fuel economy around town with its hybrid drivetrain, there are few downsides – bar its frustrating infotainment system.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019

93%

ADULT OCCUPANT

87%

CHILD OCCUPANT

85%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

77%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Toyota RAV4 has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic. It resumed in the second half of the year.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail

Date: 2019

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Toyota RAV4 has received

2021

What Car? Awards – True MPG Awards (Best for Town Driving)
Fleet News Awards – Best Mid-Size SUV + Best Plug-In Hybrid Car
Business Car Awards – Best Hybrid Car (RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid)

2020

Fleet World Awards – Best Mid-Size SUV

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