2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The RAV4 Hybrid is one of our favorite weapons in the battle to reduce trips to the gas pump. In fact, we argue it is one of the more sensible, less radical paths to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Building on one of our most recommended compact SUVs, the RAV4, Toyota adds a gas-electric hybrid system that manages to squeeze out 39 miles in combined city-and-highway driving from a gallon of gas. That’s an improvement of 10 miles over an all-wheel-drive (AWD) non-hybrid RAV4’s 29 mpg. The best news: You don’t compromise any of the RAV4’s key attributes by picking the RAV4 Hybrid. As a matter of fact, you actually gain a bit of power.

We review the RAV4 and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Toyota brings back the RAV4 Hybrid basically unchanged for 2025.

Although the entry-level Hybrid LE comes nicely outfitted, we’d invest that extra $1,500 or so for the XLE to gain bind-spot monitoring, an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, proximity keyless entry, heated outboard mirrors, and more. By the way, the XLE is also the best-selling of RAV4 Hybrid trims.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid represents a solid value, both relative to a standard RAV4, as well against its rivals. It begins higher than a base, front-wheel-drive Kia Sportage Hybrid, while the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid, both of which come standard with all-wheel drive, as does the RAV4 Hybrid, start higher, at $34,760 and $36,000, respectively.

Compared to an all-wheel-drive gasoline-only RAV4, this hybrid costs only $1,600 more. Before buying a 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying.

Exceptional Resale Value

The RAV4 Hybrid has exceptional resale value, another perk of this Toyota model. It holds its value better than rivals. It’s even better than the standard RAV4. Recouping more money when you sell or trade in a vehicle means you have more money to put down and then lower payments on the next one.

Getting the best of both worlds seems to be a theme with the RAV4 Hybrid, and that extends to the driving experience. In addition to being more fuel efficient than the standard RAV4 – see the Hybrid’s 39 mpg combined versus 29 mpg for a similar gasoline-only all-wheel-drive RAV4 – the RAV4 Hybrid is more powerful, with a combined 219 horsepower to the regular models’ 203 hp. And when you consider the electric motors that help power the RAV4 Hybrid, the difference is even more noticeable from behind the wheel.

That’s because an electric motor provides instant power for acceleration. None of this business of waiting around for gasoline to combust in an engine and turning mechanical couplings that ultimately power the wheels. An electric motor is like a light switch. In the everyday driving you’ll be doing in a RAV4 Hybrid, this means crisply moving away from stoplights and having some added juice for passing. We’ve come to relish both aspects in our testing of the RAV4 Hybrid.

It’s not all unicorns and roses, with some drone associated with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) used by this powertrain. Still, we think that’s a pittance to pay for better fuel economy and more power. Oh, and standard all-wheel drive. This turns out to be a win-win-win.

In other aspects, the RAV4 Hybrid feels, well, like a RAV4. That is to say, it’s comfortable, has good visibility thanks to its higher riding position, and is easy to maneuver. However, sporty it isn’t. Hybrid SE and XSE models have a sportier suspension, but the added spice is more akin to paprika than cayenne. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland has an outdoorsy design and what Toyota calls “trail-tailored” suspension but no added ground clearance. Still, at 8.1 inches, it’s appropriate for dirt paths and snow-speckled roads.

Fuel Economy

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is rated to return 39 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. That’s 10 mpg better than a regular RAV4 with all-wheel drive, saving about 10 gallons per month using EPA estimates. At $4 per gallon, that’s $40 per month. Over a 3-year buy/own/sell cycle, the RAV4 Hybrid should more than pay for its price premium for most buyers.

Now in its seventh year, this generation of the RAV4 is looking a bit dated, especially inside the cabin. There are now fresher rivals with snazzier, more tech-forward interiors, notably the Kia Sportage Hybrid and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. This isn’t to say the RAV4 Hybrid isn’t pleasant. We find that it still holds its own, and for some drivers, its relative simplicity is a benefit. We admit to appreciating the ability to quickly and easily change the temperature with a large dial instead of a needlessly complicated control (we’re looking at you, Kia Sportage).

Moreover, we think the RAV4 has among the most comfortable front seats in its class. The RAV4 Hybrid doesn’t lead the class in rear-seat legroom or cargo space, but its numbers are still up there. To be precise, there’s 37.8 inches of rear legroom, which trails the Sportage Hybrid’s 41.3, yet it’s still plenty for most adults. Laudably, the RAV4 Hybrid’s interior measurements mimic the standard model’s. This hybrid RAV4 enjoys 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 69.8 when folded. Again, that trails the Kia’s 39.5/73.7 numbers, but they’re still impressive.

Back up front, the RAV4 Hybrid benefits from an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, or a 10.5-inch unit in the higher trims. These remain competitive, especially with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Standard on lower trims is a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, while an impressive 12.3-inch display comes on the Hybrid Limited and is optional on the Hybrid XSE.

As with the conventional RAV4, the RAV4 Hybrid has an angular, rather chunky exterior design. It doesn’t scream “hybrid” but rather whispers it. You’ll only identify it as a RAV4 Hybrid by the small exterior badging. To us, the most interesting model from the curb is the Woodland Edition. It has bronze-colored wheels and all-terrain tires. The Woodland Edition and the XSE are available with a black contrasting roof, jazzing things up some.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
This is standard in the 2025 RAV4 Hybrid, allowing smartphone integration sans cable. We do hate keeping track of those cables.

High fuel economy
It’s the reason you buy a hybrid, and why we smile as we blow past gasoline station after gas station. A practical and spacious SUV with all-wheel drive that kisses 40 mpg is a wonderful thing.

Standard AWD
The combustion engine and one electric motor drives the front wheels, a second electric motor powers the rear axle. So, it’s not an old-school all-wheel-drive system with differentials, etc. But it is an increasingly common arrangement and one that we found just as welcome when the weather turned rough.

Digital instrument cluster
This 12.3-inch driver’s display is standard in the top Hybrid Limited trim and optional in the Hybrid XSE models. It’s customizable and can show hybrid system information.

JBL audio system
Standard in the Limited and available as an option in the XLE Premium and XSE trims, this 11-speaker/800-watt setup comes from the same parent company as the Mark Levinson systems offered in Lexus vehicles.

Advanced Technology Package
Offered with the XSE and Limited variants, this options bundle includes wireless charging, a panoramic/360-degree camera system, and a height-adjustable powered tailgate with hands-free operation.

The RAV4 Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors — one of which rotates the rear wheels. The total system output is 219 horsepower. This is about typical with competitors. The Kia Sportage Hybrid has 227 horsepower, while the Tucson Hybrid has 226. The Honda CR-V Hybrid comes in lower at 204 horsepower. The maximum towing capacity of the RAV4 Hybrid is 1,750 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty for a the RAV4 Hybrid is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Both are typical of the class. Toyota’s hybrid battery warranty is impressive, though: 10 years or 150,000 miles. And other hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance is also included.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t rated the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the RAV4 Hybrid a spot its coveted Top Safety Pick roster for 2023. However, in 2024, it altered its testing protocols with a couple of new tests. The RAV4 Hybrid didn’t fare so well with those. Every RAV4 Hybrid comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 with advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and more.