2024 Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid assessment

Regardless of ongoing provide points and ever-extending wait instances, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s reputation remains to be going sturdy in Australia.

It stays Australia’s favorite SUV in keeping with VFACTS gross sales knowledge, with 27,435 items registered to November 30 2023, simply forward of the Tesla Mannequin Y (27,418 items).

That’s regardless of the overwhelming majority of orders being for the RAV4 Hybrid, which relying on variant, may have you ever ready 12-18 months for supply.

The flagship 2024 Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid examined right here is among the extra in-demand variations which have Australian clients queuing up across the block.

Now nudging the $60,000 barrier, the flagship RAV4 in Australia will get a extra rugged look and all of the tech Toyota can throw at it; but it surely’s additionally up towards an ever-growing checklist of rivals and now’s priced towards premium competitiors.

Does the RAV4 Hybrid nonetheless have the Edge? Teehee…

How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid value?

The RAV4 line-up acquired some minor worth will increase as of July 1, 2023 – see under for particulars.

Toyota RAV4 pricing:

• Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD: $39,760 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD Hybrid: $42,260 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 GXL 2WD: $43,310 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 GX AWD Hybrid: $45,260 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 GXL 2WD Hybrid: $45,810 ($1710)
• Toyota RAV4 GXL AWD Hybrid: $48,810 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD: $48,910 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 XSE 2WD Hybrid: $49,585(+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid: $51,410 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD Hybrid: $52,585 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid: $54,410 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD: $56,230 (+$1710)
• Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid AWD: $58,360 (+$1710)

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the RAV4 shapes up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s the Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid like on the within?

Earlier this yr the RAV4 acquired some tech upgrades on the higher finish of the vary, and so they do assist to raise the inside a bit.

Your consideration is rapidly drawn to the bigger new 10.5-inch touchscreen plonked atop the sprint, which is operating Toyota’s newest infotainment interface and comes customary with a Toyota Related Companies subscription.

It’s a giant enchancment on the dated predecessor system; though, the fundamental design could not have the wow issue of another manufacturers. In equity, the Lexus interface is just about the identical in automobiles vastly costlier.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay is a giant plus with this new-generation infotainment system, and can doubtless be the go-to perform for many house owners. As we’ve skilled with different Toyota fashions with this infotainment system, the wi-fi smartphone mirroring connection works rapidly and reliably – plus the upper decision show is far nicer.

The usual nine-speaker JBL premium audio system can also be price calling out for its nice readability and depth.

Forward of the driving force and behind the carryover multifunction steering wheel, is a graceful new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that has slowly been filtering all through the Toyota vary.

Whereas providing good configurability and fairly crisp graphics, the Toyota’s digital driver’s panel can’t fairly match the snappy response of VW Group programs, and could be a little complicated to wade by means of and modify issues.

There’s an array of widgets and readouts that you may slot into every dial, in addition to within the centre part. You can even select layouts which have two dials, a single dial, or a minimised format. It’s really extra subtle than the show utilized in even the very best of Lexus fashions proper now. Unusual…

Consolation up entrance is sweet. The generously padded and bolstered seats provide good assist from all angles, and so they’re each energy adjustable, with the driving force’s pew providing reminiscence presets. I’ll say; nevertheless, that I had quite a few passengers complain that the peak adjustment of the entrance seat was missing, with taller occupants feeling fairly excessive.

Area within the again seat is one other RAV4 sturdy level, with its boxy proportions making for some of the sensible second rows in school. Adults can comfortably match behind adults, and children are mainly swimming in there.

Head, leg and knee room are all on the higher finish of the phase, and there’s an excellent stage of facilities too – if not fairly on the luxurious ranges provided by some top-end rivals or premium options.

Rear air vents characteristic, for instance, however there’s no third zone of local weather management. There’s just one map pocket behind the passenger seat, and none behind the driving force. No less than the door trims are the identical, soft-touch kind that seem up entrance.

There’s a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders and the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether factors for little one seats, however actually that’s about it. You’ll be able to’t possibility a panoramic sunroof on the Edge Hybrid like you possibly can in the usual petrol both, as an alternative you get an old-school small electrical moonroof.

Toyota quotes 542-580 litres of cargo capability with 5 seats in use, and whereas there’s no most determine with the rear seatbacks folded, it’s a reasonably large, sq. and sensible house.

There are additionally distant launch levers within the boot, and the rear bench splits 60:40. A brief spare wheel lives underneath the boot flooring.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

How does the Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid drive?

I’ve pushed a couple of RAV4 Hybrids in my time, and this Edge AWD jogged my memory of why so many individuals love them.

Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive expertise has been refined during the last couple of a long time, and the enchantment of the RAV4 Hybrid is that you may hop in and go like another combustion-engined automobile, and the automobile does all the things for you.

You don’t must faff round with drive modes – despite the fact that you possibly can flick by means of a couple of – simply depart it in regular and let the drivetrain do its magic to cut back your gas invoice. In visitors and different low-speed conditions the RAV4 will do the majority of driving in electrical mode, signified by just a little EV image that flashes up within the cluster.

Prod the throttle tougher and the petrol engine fires to life, and the handover between energy sources is fairly seamless; though, there’s much more noise from the moderately coarse Atkinson cycle petrol motor.

It makes you need to drive it in a extra sedate method regardless of its beefy 163kW system energy output. And actually let’s face it, this isn’t a efficiency automobile – whereas the RAV4 AWD Hybrid quotes 1kW extra energy than a VW Tiguan 162TSI, the Toyota’s 8.4-second 0-100km/h declare (in keeping with UK specs) is 1.5s slower than its German rival.

The RAV4 Hybrid is finest used as a snug, environment friendly household commuter. Drive it with measure and hold your inputs easy, and also you’ll be rewarded with a really fluid and linked drive with out efficiency theatrics.

I like the buttery easy steering, responsive dealing with, and the comfortable journey regardless of the Edge using on bigger 19-inch alloy wheels. Enjoyable truth; the Bridgestone Alenza rubber shod across the rims is similar kind used on luxurious SUVs just like the BMW X5 and Volkswagen Touareg .

Whereas not pitched as a sporty providing like a Mazda CX-5 or R-Line variations of the VW Tiguan, the RAV4 has a chuckable really feel in corners with managed physique lean and eager turn-in which makes it really feel fairly linked.

It’s additionally completely civilised at a cruise, settling in properly; although, not fairly the benchmark for highway noise insulation. The RAV4’s hybrid system additionally isn’t absolutely the newest from Toyota, which means its much less energy-dense battery chemistry and small electrical motors can’t have interaction EV mode on the freeway typically like a Yaris Cross or Corolla Cross can.

The most recent suite of Toyota Security Sense help options are all customary, and in contrast to some programs previous, the RAV4’s array of ‘techy’ assists are available to take the load off.

Of word is the excellent adaptive cruise management and Lane Hint Help capabilities. These facilitate semi-autonomous freeway driving fairly reliably, whereas blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert actually come in useful when navigating tight gaps in visitors or reversing out of tight spots. The Edge additionally will get AEB in reverse.

Toyota’s surround-view digital camera system provides higher decision than Mazda’s potato cams – I child, they’re not that dangerous – however not a patch on what one thing just like the GWM Haval H6 provides.

I’d additionally word the actual fact I couldn’t match the gas consumption declare, even with a mixture of situations closely skewed to metropolis commuting. One of the best I may handle was an indicated 5.7L/100km, which remains to be fairly good however a lot nearer to the likes of the GWM Haval H6 HEV and Nissan X-Path e-Energy, which each arguably provide higher efficiency.

What do you get?

RAV4 GX highlights:

• Parabolic LED headlights with auto-levelling
• Entrance LED fog lights
• Automated high-beam
• Automated headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ radio
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Wired Android Auto
• Six-speaker sound system
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster show
• 60:40 split-fold rear seats and centre armrest
• Keyless begin
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• Entrance/rear carpet mats
• Area saver spare tyre
• Digital parking brake
• LED inside lighting 
• LED daytime operating lights
• Rear mudflaps
• Resin rear spoiler
• Rear passenger air vents
• 2 x entrance and a pair of x rear cup holders
• 3 x entrance and a pair of x rear USB ports
• 12-month subscription to Related Companies

RAV4 GX Hybrid provides:

• Projector LED headlamps
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Non-obligatory full-size spare wheel

RAV4 GXL provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• ‘Premium’ grille and bumper combo
• Rear privateness glass
• Leatherette-wrapped shifter
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Proximity entry
• Wi-fi telephone charging
• Entrance mudflaps
• Roof rails
• Illuminated inside door switches
• Twin-level boot flooring

RAV4 XSE Hybrid provides:

• Black exterior accents
• Black two-tone roof end
• 18-inch alloy wheels in gloss black
• Black headliner and pillar garnish
• Leather-based-accented door trims
• Ambient lighting (model-specific)
• Softex ‘premium’ seat upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• 10-way energy adjustment with lumbar assist (driver)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.5-inch infotainment show
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Toyota Related Companies (1yr subscription)
• Projector LED headlights
• Energy tailgate

RAV4 Cruiser provides:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Auto power-folding mirrors
• Energy sunroof
• 10-way energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats
• Leather-based upholstery
• Ambient lighting
• 9-speaker JBL sound system
• Encompass-view digital camera
• Digital rear-view mirror

RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Projector LED headlights

RAV4 Edge provides:

• 19-inch machine-faced alloy wheels
• Mannequin-specific exterior styling
• Off-road mode selector dial
• Hill descent management
• Softex ‘premium’ upholstery
• Rear cross-traffic help 
• Distinctive Edge bumper and grille

Choices

• Premium paint: $675
• Full-size spare (GX Hybrid): $300
• Panoramic sunroof (Edge AWD): $1300

Is the Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid protected?

The Toyota RAV4 wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on 2019 Euro NCAP assessments.

It scored of 93 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 89 per cent for little one occupant safety, 85 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 83 per cent for security help.

Customary security options embrace:

• 7 airbags incl. driver’s knee
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day, evening)
  • Bicycle owner detection (day)
  • Intersection Flip Help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Emergency Steering Help
• Hill-start Help Management
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Tracing Help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digital camera
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Visitors signal recognition
• Trailer sway management

RAV4 Cruiser provides:

RAV4 Edge provides:

• AEB reverse (low pace)
• Rear cross visitors help

How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid value to run?

The RAV4 is roofed by Toyota Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Toyota provides as much as 5 years (60 months) or 75,000km of capped-price servicing, with intervals of 12 months or 15,000km for the RAV4.

All RAV4 variants (incl. Hybrid) value $260 per service for the primary 5 visits underneath the capped-price servicing program.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD Hybrid

It’s very straightforward to see why the RAV4 has been Australia’s favorite SUV for a while.

It’s spacious, effectively featured, good to drive and as a hybrid provides benchmark gas effectivity. Even a number of years on from this era’s preliminary launch, it stays a phase chief.

Nonetheless, the sport is rapidly altering and there’s extra rivals on the best way; quite a few worth rises have taken a number of the RAV4’s shine, and the likes of the wonderful new Honda CR-V e:HEV show that electrified motoring will be correct enjoyable – even in an SUV.

In 2024 we’ll see the launch of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid, each already wonderful choices in ICE type, and will function worthy competitors within the electrified house. This top-spec RAV4 Edge Hybrid isn’t all that less expensive than a base Tesla Mannequin Y (from $65,400), both.

Prolonged wait instances are one other irk; although, this may apparently be addressed within the new yr due to a giant batch of RAV4 Hybrids because of land within the early levels of 2024. Learn extra about that right here.

The RAV4 Hybrid is a superb automobile for households and singles alike, however I’d additionally say the Edge in all probability doesn’t benefit from your spend.

It can save you virtually $10,000 and get into the XSE 2WD Hybrid. This will get a lot of the good things – the 2WD Hybrid can also be extra environment friendly; although, you may get the E-4 model for a couple of grand extra for those who want the all-paw traction.

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