2020 Toyota RAV4 GXL Hybrid owner review

As petrol prices skyrocket and we see an uptick in interest with EVs, it leaves many with a dilemma. Should they stick with their petrol car and potentially save on depreciation costs down the line? Or, should they pick up an EV and ditch the bowser altogether? 

What if I told you there’s a happy middle? 

The technology has existed for nearly 30 years, it’s been proven reliable, and is now standard in many line-ups. That happy middle is absolutely the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. It shows. 

Used examples command upwards of $30,000 even after seven years on sale. While some argue that you could get better value elsewhere in terms of technology, practicality and even fuel economy, the RAV4 Hybrid is not priced like this for nothing. 

There’s plenty to love. It’s unbelievably practical. With 542L worth of boot space with the rear seats up, it will quite happily swallow up an unbelievable amount of luggage. Plus, with more than 1600L with the seats folded down, it could help save on delivery fees for items of furniture or whitegoods. 

Being a hybrid, it is good on fuel. I average around 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres, which is a bit more than the official figure of 4.7L/100km. But I also do a considerable amount of country driving on poor roads, which will bring your fuel consumption up as it’s running the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine alongside the electric motor. Getting 800km from one 55-litre tank is not an unreasonable figure provided you aren’t hard on it. 

It is a Toyota, so as you’d expect it’s reliable. I’ve serviced mine and put a set of new tyres on it after 20,000km… and that’s it. Servicing is every 15,000km or 12 months.

It is also surprisingly quick too. With 160kW from the hybrid powertrain behind an eCVT, it does get out of its way with minimal fuss. 

The Supercat tyres the car had on at purchase were pretty average. I have since fitted the car with Yokohama Geolandar tyres, and this has made the on-road handling and grip considerably better. 

The RAV4 is not an off-road car. Especially not in FWD guise like mine. It will, however, handle a gravel/dirt road without serious incident. 

Like any car, it isn’t perfect. After 168,000km and six years, the seat bolsters are feeling the age and mileage. However, the seat is still comfortable and I don’t find myself in any major discomfort when doing large journeys, even being a rather portly gent. 

The infotainment, to put it lightly, is… meh. It is easy enough to navigate and looks okay, but it can be slow. Like, frustratingly slow. Especially on startup. 

I’ve also had times where the (USB-only) Apple CarPlay just… doesn’t connect. Like, at all. Usually, the old 'off and on again' works a treat, but I have had times when even that doesn’t remedy the issue. I haven’t really sought out a fix as it doesn’t happen awfully often, but it is enough to note. 

The wireless charger does not work well. Your phone must be almost surgically still, and in regional Victoria that’s an impossibility. 

The standard six-speaker audio system is fine. It gets surprisingly loud and sounds okay, but you will hit that one song with a tone that it doesn’t like, and it’s buzz city. Opt for the Cruiser with the nine-speaker JBL sound system if you’re looking to live out your AutoSalon-spec dreams at Kiss 'N' Drop. 

Keep in mind, the car has done close to 170,000km and is an older example of this generation. Many of these complaints may be down to wear or could have been ironed out in later years. 

For all of that, the car is fantastic and, really, as much as some might think it’s mad to spend $30,000 on a seven-year-old car, you’re buying a proven, reliable, safe and well-equipped car with exceptional fuel economy, and a huge servicing network. A lot of people, me included, are happy to pay the premium for that. Well worth it.

Owner: Josh