Name: Toyota RAV4 (2019 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Toyota RAV4
Rating: 65

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 RAV4 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.

With this generation RAV4 having been on sale for a few years, we have started to see some good reliability information. In its 2022 reliability survey, What Car? ranked it as the most reliable large SUV.

More Toyota ratings, reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £38,880 on-road

Launched: Winter 2018/19
Last updated: Summer 2022
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+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The 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: PHEV
Score: 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+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Plug-in hybrid option offers choice of a Toyota RAV4 with meaningful electric-only range and a surprising turn of speed when you need it.”
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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 2021
Score: 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 Premium
Score: 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-i
Score: 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 2021
Score: 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 overview
Score: 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: (2015-18)
“The Toyota RAV4’s a roomy family car with a spacious interior but it’s quite expensive and alternatives come with a better range of engines.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 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 Dynamic
Score: 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 Excel
Score: 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: PHEV
Score: 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: Excel
Score: 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 review
Score: 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 review
Score: 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: PHEV
Score: 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: Dynamic
Score: 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: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
“The Toyota RAV4 PHEV builds on the already impressive qualities of the spacious well-built hybrid RAV4 and adds even greater potential for very low running costs. Even if you can’t plug it in regularly, overall fuel economy is very reasonable for an SUV of this size, particularly given the performance it delivers. It’s certainly well-rounded enough for a Best Buy rating, but it’s not one for keen drivers, as its agility and cornering ability aren’t a match for its ample acceleration.”
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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 score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 85%
Safety assist: 77%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of August 2023, the Toyota RAV4 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 43
Average repair cost: £650.61
Last updated: June 2023

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of June 2023, the Toyota RAV4 is slightly above average when it comes to reliability with a score of 53%, according to extended warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both the current (2019 onwards) model as well as earlier generations.

The average repair costs is about £650, which is obviously more than the cost of a used car warranty, so that’s worth considering if you own a RAV4 or are thinking about buying one.

The most common problems reported for the 3 Series are engine-related, which have an average repair bill of more than £1,000. Gearbox problems are also expensive, at more than £1,100, although not as common.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	49 mpg	C	48 – 50 mpg	B – C
Plug-in hybrid models	283 mpg	A	283 – 283 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	130 g/km	A	126 – 134 g/km	A – A
Plug-in hybrid models	22 g/km	A	22 – 22 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	46 miles	D	46 – 46 miles	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	29	C	25 – 45	B – D

Running costs on the Toyota RAV4 are quite reasonable, given that it’s a large seven-seat SUV. Fuel consumption is average for the regular hybrid although, as with any hybrid car, this very much depends on how carefully you drive it to get the most out of the electric motor. Likewise, you can get decent range from the plug-in hybrid’s battery if you drive carefully.

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the plug-in hybrid versions might look amazing on paper, but this is only because of how the EU/UK government lab tests are conducted. In the real world, there is no way you’re going to travel 283 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of petrol and some electricity.

Insurance costs are likely to be fair, based on the RAV4’s mid-level insurance group rating, but we don’t currently have servicing costs available for the RAV4. Most Toyotas are pretty reasonable in this area, however, so there shouldn’t be any nasty surprises.