Review: 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE All-Wheel Drive – Master Of Mainstream

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 is like a McDonald’s hamburger. Wait, what? Yeah, it sounds like I’m damning this small SUV with faint praise by comparing it to mediocre and generally unhealthy food, but I’m not. Hear me out. The golden arches sells billions of burgers every year, and while Toyota can’t match that insane volume, the RAV4 just dethroned the vaunted Ford F-150 in 2024 to become the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. So, just like a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, this utility vehicle has the right combination of attributes that gives it mass-market appeal.

To learn more about why the RAV4 is so popular and see if the driving public’s vehicular tastes are on point or totally off base, Toyota provided me with a 2025 RAV4 Hybrid XSE All-Wheel Drive model for evaluation. This is an upper-end trim level with an as-tested price of $45,443, including a smattering of options and $1,395 in destination fees. With an electrified powertrain, this utility vehicle promises to deliver exceptional fuel economy with almost zero tradeoffs in performance, comfort, or capability.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE All-Wheel Drive First Impressions

The current-generation RAV4 has been around for quite a while, since roughly 2019, and is due for a big change for the next model year. When you factor in how well this Toyota sells each year, it’s quite a familiar face on U.S. roads. Despite the ubiquity, this is a handsome little utility vehicle with just enough styling pizzazz to keep things interesting without having so much going on that it looks like a Picasso painting. The front end’s large grille, angular LED projector headlamps, and vertical fog lights are an attractive combination that has aged well.

Viewed in profile, this Toyota looks a bit pumped up thanks to its squared-off wheel arches. Other than that, the sides are clean and tasteful, punctuated by this example’s 18-inch wheels that are treated to a gloss black finish. Between those rollers is a set of optional running boards that cost $630 extra. Unfortunately, this is a less-than-useless add-on because the RAV4’s step-in height is so low, running boards are completely unnecessary, exactly like with the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and its optional boards. In fact, these things are actually detrimental because most folks will be stepping over them getting in and out, which just increases the likelihood of streaking your pantlegs with mud or dirt, so do yourself a favor and skip this option.

Finally, the rear of the RAV4 is clean and simple, with a spear of brightwork running between the taillamps. Contrasting with the XSE model’s various gloss black exterior accents – the lower door trim, exterior mirror housings, wheel arch appliques and bumper accents – this RAV4 is painted a lovely color. The hue is called Cavalry Blue, and it’s absolutely electric without being ostentatious. But hey, I’m a sucker for a good blue.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

This SUV’s drivetrain is also electrified since, you know, it’s a hybrid. This version of the RAV4 sips fuel like an economy car and yet still delivers surprisingly good performance, but that’s not all. The steering is pleasantly quick for an agile feel, and the ride quality is excellent. This Toyota brushes off larger bumps and potholes with ease, keeping much of the roadway harshness away from the passenger compartment. Tires with meaty sidewalls help immensely with this. So many modern vehicles have what are essentially rubber bands wrapped around their rims, which has a severely negative impact on ride quality.

One unexpected downside to the RAV4 is interior noise. Having just tested the Camry sedan and Sienna minivan, two Toyota offerings that were supremely refined, I was surprised by how much roadway ruckus makes its way into the cabin. There’s a fair amount of tire noise and a surprising amount of wind rush, even at just 55 mph. Cruising on the highway, this noise is even more pronounced.

Braking And Acceleration

Like other Toyota hybrids, this RAV4 features a powertrain that includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder at its heart. That engine is, of course, augmented by an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (eCVT) that incorporates a special gearset and a pair of motor generators. All-wheel drive is standard equipment, adding an additional electric motor at the rear axle for enhanced traction, particularly in gnarly conditions.

All told, the RAV4 Hybrid has a respectable total system horsepower of 219, which delivers good acceleration. This electrified powertrain works extremely well in both the Camry and Sienna, and it’s the same story here, with a caveat. Of this Toyota trio, the Camry, not surprisingly, felt the quickest, the bulky Sienna the slowest, and the RAV4 somewhere in between. But this utility vehicle stood out in one other way, much more powertrain vibration can be felt in the floor pan. With the other two vehicles, almost zero buzziness could be felt, but the RAV4 tingles noticeably when working hard. This is not objectionable, but it is noticeable.

Performance Specifications

Slowing your roll, the RAV4’s brakes are reassuringly firm, a much more natural feeling than the Sienna’s surprisingly rubbery pedal. The transition between regenerative braking, which puts energy back into the battery pack, so it can be used again later, and the traditional friction brakes is practically seamless, which is just what you want in a hybrid.

Make And Model Fuel Economy

For the most part, this SUV is pleasant to drive, but there is one area where it truly stands out: fuel economy. According to the U.S. EPA, you can expect 41 miles per gallon in city driving and 38 on the highway. Combined, the RAV4 Hybrid should return an impressive 39 mpg. Those figures are good for nearly every model (LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, SE and XSE), though the ruggedized Woodland Edition is slightly less economical, stickering at 38, 35 and 37, respectively.

During my first spin in this vehicle, I drove around 20 miles. Most of that was on two-lane country roads with a dash of highway cruising thrown in, too. The result? Well, according to the digital readout, this Toyota returned a claimed 42 mpg, that’s better than the EPA estimates without any effort at all. After rolling more miles, the fuel economy did start to inch downward, but the computer said the vehicle was returning 40 mpg, still a stellar performance. Toyota hybrids are famous for their incredible fuel efficiency, and this one does not disappoint.

Interior Design And Comfort

The current-generation RAV4 has a few gray hairs, but it’s still holding up well compared to newer rivals. Inside, this vehicle’s interior is attractively designed and features plenty of nice materials. The dashboard is relatively clean-looking and features a storage cubby just above the glovebox on the passenger side. This is mirrored by a much smaller nook to the driver’s left.

Upper portions of the RAV4’s dashboard are made of soft plastic that is surprisingly cushy and attractively textured for a premium look. That material is also embellished with contrasting blue stitching, something that is echoed on the XSE model’s seats and door panels, though, curiously, not on the steering wheel.

Refreshingly, the RAV4’s various controls are all straightforward and easy to use. I particularly appreciate the climate control system, which has two chunky knobs for adjusting the cabin temperature, though some of the other buttons for the fan speed and airflow are a little too small.

This vehicle’s shifter is solid and easy to use, as is the drive mode selector. There are sport and eco modes, a trail setting, too, and even a dedicated EV mode that allows you to drive very short distances at low speeds on just electrical power. Remember, this isn’t an EV or even a plug-in hybrid, so the battery pack is very small, a mere 6.4 amp-hours.

The RAV4’s front seats are soft yet supportive, surprisingly comfortable for a mainstream vehicle. These chairs also power adjust, eight ways for the driver and four for the passenger. Both of these seats are heated, though in the range-topping Limited trim, they also feature ventilation.

Interior Dimensions

As for the backbench, it offers a surprising amount of headroom and leg space for adult passengers, and the backrest is adjustable for added comfort. There’s also a fold-down armrest to use when nobody is occupying the middle position, though if they are, the central tunnel in the floor is surprisingly low, providing more foot room. Passengers are treated to separate air vents at the back of the console and a pair of USB ports, so everyone’s devices can stay fully charged. About the only downside to the RAV4 Hybrid’s backseat is the relatively narrow rear door openings, which are not unusual for a vehicle in this segment.

Technology And Ease Of Use

Again, this is not the latest and greatest SUV, but it still offers some excellent technology. My tester features a 12.3-inch reconfigurable digital instrument cluster as well as a 10.5-inch central touchscreen. The native infotainment system is familiar and quite responsive, plus it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. What more do you really need?

This Toyota also features a JBL sound system, has ever-convenient keyless entry with push-button start, there are rain-sensing windshield wipers, a reversing camera with dynamic gridlines to make backing up a snap, and there’s even a digital rearview mirror. This last feature is one that I love because it gives you a significantly wider field of view by taking a video feed from the rear-facing camera. Some drivers don’t like these systems, and this one is easy to turn off, just flip the traditional dimmer, and you’re back to having a conventional mirror.

Cargo And Storage Space

As with many SUVs, the RAV4 is quite versatile. According to Toyota, there’s 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat. That space grows to just shy of 70 cubes when the 60/40 split backrests are folded down, which is something you functionally have to do from the rear doors, not the cargo area, as it’s really hard to reach the levers that fold the backrests. Unfortunately, there are no remote controls for this in the luggage compartment. Regardless, the RAV4’s capaciousness is very comparable to rival hybrid models like the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Honda CR-V.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE All-Wheel Drive vs. Its Competitors

As mentioned above, this Toyota goes toe to toe with SUVs like the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Honda CR-V, all of which are offered with fuel-saving hybrid powertrains. Roughly the same size with similar amounts of interior volume, these vehicles are broadly comparable, though the Ford appears to have the best city fuel economy of this bunch at 42 mpg, the Hyundai’s warranty should be the best at 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain, and the Honda ought have the most cargo space at up to 76.5 cubic feet. Anyone shopping for a small SUV with a hybrid powertrain should absolutely test drive all of these models, as well as the RAV4.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE All-Wheel Drive Compares To The 2025 Honda CR-V AWD Hybrid

Toyota and Honda are classic rivals, just like Ford and Chevrolet, Coke and Pepsi, Anakin and Obi-Wan. Historically, Honda vehicles have often been more engaging to drive and offered fresher technology, but Toyota’s reputation for reliability, fuel economy, and resale value is simply unbeatable. Comparing the RAV4 Hybrid to the CR-V Hybrid is basically a toss-up, both SUVs are very similar and, frankly, phenomenal choices in this vehicle segment.

Performance

The Toyota has 219 system horses and the Honda counters this with 204 ponies in its under-hood stable. Whereas the RAV4 features a 2.5-liter engine, the CR-V only has 2.0 liters of lung capacity. Still, the performance offered by these two models should be very similar, though the Toyota is slightly more economical, stickering at 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 39 combined compared to the Honda, which is rated at 40, 34, and 37, respectively.

Comfort

The CR-V has slightly more overall cargo space than the RAV4, and the Honda is graced a bit more legroom in both rows of seats. The same is true for headroom and hip room both front and rear, but the differences in all these categories are very small. The Toyota’s seats are surprisingly comfortable, maybe better than Honda’s, but this is also very hard to say. Again, if you’re shopping for a small SUV, test drive them all to get a good idea of what works best for you.

Technology

The CR-V comes standard with a 7-inch color touchscreen while the RAV4’s base offering clocks in at 8 inches. The Toyota’s optional panel is, of course, 10.5 inches, while the Honda’s measures just 9. The RAV4 also has an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but the Honda’s readout clocks in at just 7 inches.

Higher-end Hondas are also graced with wireless smartphone mirroring, just like the Toyota. The CR-V also comes standard with Honda Sensing, the automaker’s suite of driver aids that includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and much more. This is, naturally, countered by Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 in the RAV4, which bundles many of the same advanced features. When it comes to tech, these two models are very similar, though the Toyota’s screens are slightly larger.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

So, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Honda CR-V Hybrid? Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either one of these versatile and efficient small SUVs. Personally, I slightly prefer the Honda’s cleaner exterior styling, and its interior looks a bit nicer, but Toyota’s hybrid system is probably a touch more reliable, and it provides marginally better fuel economy.

All that being said, the RAV4 is poised to have some big advantages over the Honda as the vehicle is being comprehensively redesigned for the 2026 model year. With totally reworked styling, standard hybrid powertrains across the board, and a completely overhauled interior, this Toyota could leapfrog the CR-V when the new model hits the road later this year.