10 Months Ago
VFACTS 2023: The best-selling hybrids and plug-in hybrids in Australia
Following a record year for new hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) car sales, the winners in the electrified vehicle race have emerged.
Jordan Mulach
About the Toyota RAV4
Last updated Oct 23, 2024When it was first launched in 1994, the original Toyota RAV4 broke new ground by being a go-anywhere, compact 4x4 off-roader with five doors and more creature comforts than anything previously produced by Suzuki. Over five generations, the RAV4 has grown in size and popularity to become Australia's favourite mid-size SUV and one of the nation's five best-selling models, thanks to its family-friendliness and hybrid efficiency.
Pros
- Efficient hybrid powertrain
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Balanced dynamics
Cons
- So-so infotainment
- Extraordinarily long waiting lists for some variants
- Base powertrain is less impressive
Toyota RAV4 Rating
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
Entry-level
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Best in class
Overall rating
8.4
7.4
8.9
Toyota RAV4 News
2023 Toyota RAV4 Reviews
2023 Toyota RAV4 Price
| Variant | Price From* | Price To* |
|---|---|---|
| GX (AWD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | $42,200 | $52,100 |
| GX (AWD) HYBRID | $46,300 | $46,300 |
| XSE (AWD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | $50,600 | $55,300 |
| GXL (AWD) HYBRID | $51,400 | $55,800 |
| EDGE (AWD) HYBRID | $57,900 | $66,700 |
| CRUISER (AWD) HYBRID | $58,900 | $58,900 |
*excl. on-roads
2023 Toyota RAV4 Specs
See our comprehensive details for the Toyota RAV4
2023 Toyota RAV4 Dimensions
1685mm
1855mm
4600mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
See all 2023 Toyota RAV4 Dimensions2023 Toyota RAV4 Boot Space
The Toyota RAV4’s boot space measures 580L with the rear seats up and with a space-saver spare. A full-size spare is optional only in GX models.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Gallery
CarExpert High Resolution Photos of the Toyota RAV4
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2023 Toyota RAV4 Safety Rating
The Toyota RAV4 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted in 2019.
It scored of 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 85 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 83 per cent for safety assist.
The following safety features are standard across the range:
- AEB with pedestrian/daytime cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Lane departure warning
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Trailer sway control
For 2022 the RAV4 Edge gains rear cross-traffic assist, as well as low-speed AEB in forward and reverse for static objects when parking.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Economy
The Toyota RAV4 uses 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle in front-wheel drive hybrid guise and 4.8L/100km with all-wheel drive.
Official figures for 2022 models with naturally-aspirated engines have yet to be released. These may see improved fuel economy with the addition of automatic stop/start technology. The 2021 RAV4, when equipped with the 2.0-litre engine, uses 6.5L/100km and the 2.5-litre Edge uses 7.5L/100km.
| Toyota RAV4 | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| CRUISER (2WD) | UNLEADED PETROL | 6.0 |
| CRUISER (2WD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| CRUISER (AWD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| EDGE (AWD) | UNLEADED PETROL | 7.0 |
| EDGE (AWD) (PANORAMIC SUNROOF) | UNLEADED PETROL | 7.0 |
| EDGE (AWD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| GX (2WD) | UNLEADED PETROL | 6.0 |
| GX (2WD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| GX (2WD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| GX (AWD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| GX (AWD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| GXL (2WD) | UNLEADED PETROL | 6.0 |
| GXL (2WD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| GXL (AWD) HYBRID | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| XSE (2WD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
| XSE (AWD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | UNLEADED PETROL/ELECTRIC | 4.8 |
Cost of ownership
What is the running and servicing costs of a Toyota RAV4?
All Toyota RAV4’s need servicing every 12 Months months or 15,000km km, whichever comes first.
How does the 2023 Toyota RAV4 drive?
Our expert take on Toyota RAV4 drivability.
Toyota products based on the TNGA platform have consistently scored well for their ride and handling balance, offering a direct enough connection to keep you involved while being impressively comfortable all round.
The RAV4 is no different. Steering this mid-size SUV is wonderfully predictable and fluid, and it’s just as at home on pimpled inner-city streets as it is out on the freeway.
With the hybrid powertrain, it almost always sets off on e-power, and the petrol engine kicks in once things are rolling. You can silently putt along below 40km/h on flat ground or descents.
You can chirp the tyres easily in front-wheel drive hybrid models but you won’t with the base 2.0-litre. It doesn’t have much oomph until you’re carrying some revs, with some breathless moments as the speedo gradually climbs. It’s fine for urban commuting, however.
The hybrid is more athletic, though hit the throttle a little harder and the 2.5-litre petrol quickly fires, as the CVT flares revs to keep you in the power band. As is the case with Toyota’s hybrid engines, pushing hard can result in a vocal, unrefined soundtrack. That applies to the 2.0-litre, too.
Another issue across the range is the presence of tyre roar on rougher road surfaces.
When you’re not wringing its neck, the RAV4 Hybrid gets along in a smooth and relaxed manner, and the shuffling between power sources is generally pretty seamless bar the change in sound.
When things get twisty the RAV4 is happy to play along, too. As noted earlier the TNGA underpinnings and communicative controls mean it’s not a bore to pilot this thing through bends, and if you flick it into Power mode both power sources team up to give you a bit of shove.
Toyota’s suite of assists are impressive. Where previous generations of product had overzealous steering corrections and an infuriating range of beeps and bongs, this latest iteration is intuitive, more natural and more likely to be kept on.
Adaptive cruise control and Lane Tracing Assist work well to take the load off longer freeway stints, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras aid visibility at various speeds.
It makes the RAV4 a very easy car to live with, and its all-round consistency and competency is no doubt a key driver to its sales success not just in Australia but globally.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Options
Options list for the Toyota RAV4
You can find more details on all the options and inclusions across the Toyota RAV4 variants on the official website, and within the official Toyota RAV4 specifications page.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Colours
What colours are available for the Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is available in nine different colours, however not all are available across all variants. The following are available on the Cruiser and GXL:
- Glacier White
- Crystal Pearl
- Silver Sky
- Graphite
- Atomic Rush (red)
- Eclipse Black
- Mineral Blue
- Saturn Blue
The GX misses out on Crystal Pearl. The XSE missed out on Crystal Pearl, Atomic Rush, Eclipse lack and Saturn Blue.
The top-spec Toyota RAV4 Edge misses out on the two white colours and Saturn Blue but it does get its own unique Jungle Khaki colour.
Premium paint is a $675 option.
A full list of colours for the 2022 range has yet to be announced.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Warranty
The RAV4 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Stick to your annual service schedule and the company extends the engine and driveline warranty to seven years, while hybrid batteries are covered for up to 10 years provided logbook maintenance is conducted during that period.
2023 Toyota RAV4 vs other SUV's to consider
There's a glut of rivals for the RAV4 but some of the more popular options in the segment include the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail.
The Outlander and X-Trail are the only members of this group to offer the option of a (small) third row. The former was recently redesigned, and a new version of the latter is launching later in 2022 to replace the rather dated current X-Trail. There's no hybrid Outlander, though Mitsubishi is introducing a redesigned plug-in hybrid.
The Tucson and Sportage have also been recently redesigned, though there's no sign yet of the hybrid models available overseas. They offer cabins similarly spacious to that of the RAV4, all of which are roomier than the CX-5 which counters by being among the more engaging vehicles in this segment to drive.
Should you buy the 2023 Toyota RAV4
Is this the right car for you? Out experts buy or not guide.
Yes.
If you can stomach a potentially long wait, you'll get one of the most impressive mid-sized SUVs on the market. There's a reason these are so popular.
Toyota RAV4 FAQs
The cheapest Toyota RAV4 is the GX (2WD) that starts from $38,300.
The most expensive Toyota RAV4 is the EDGE (AWD) HYBRID that starts from $66,700
The best towing capacity of a Toyota RAV4 is 1500Kg offered by the following variants
- GX (AWD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE
- GX (AWD) HYBRID
- XSE (AWD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT
- GXL (AWD) HYBRID
- EDGE (AWD) (PANORAMIC SUNROOF)
- EDGE (AWD)
- EDGE (AWD) HYBRID
- CRUISER (AWD) HYBRID
The largest Toyota RAV4 is the EDGE (AWD) (PANORAMIC SUNROOF) which measures 1855mm wide, 4615mm in length and sits 1690mm tall.
The most powerful Toyota RAV4 is the EDGE (AWD) (PANORAMIC SUNROOF) which has 152kW of power from its 2.5L Direct Fuel Injection engine.
The Toyota RAV4 is built in Japan and shipped to Australia.
The heaviest Toyota RAV4 is the EDGE (AWD) HYBRID which weighs 2230 kg (kerb weight).
See full fuel information for Toyota RAV4 below:
| Variant | Fuel Type |
|---|---|
| EDGE (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| EDGE (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (AWD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| XSE (AWD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GXL (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (AWD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | unleaded petrol/electric |
| XSE (AWD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GXL (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| CRUISER (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| CRUISER (AWD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| EDGE (AWD) (PANORAMIC SUNROOF) | unleaded petrol |
| EDGE (AWD) | unleaded petrol |
| EDGE (AWD) | unleaded petrol |
| EDGE (AWD) (PANORAMIC SUNROOF) | unleaded petrol |
| GX (2WD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (2WD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (2WD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GXL (2WD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GX (2WD) HYBR FULL SIZE SPARE | unleaded petrol/electric |
| XSE (2WD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | unleaded petrol/electric |
| GXL (2WD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| CRUISER (2WD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| CRUISER (2WD) HYBRID | unleaded petrol/electric |
| XSE (2WD) HYBRID PREMIUM PAINT | unleaded petrol/electric |
| CRUISER (2WD) | unleaded petrol |
| CRUISER (2WD) | unleaded petrol |
| GX (2WD) | unleaded petrol |
| GX (2WD) | unleaded petrol |
| GXL (2WD) | unleaded petrol |
| GXL (2WD) | unleaded petrol |