Remember: we have detailed reviews of other RAV4 hybrid versions on this site, but this one is specifically for the XSE hybrid 2WD.
Toyota expanded the RAV4 range late last year with the arrival of the Series II facelift, slotting the XSE hybrid in between the mid-range GXL hybrid and luxury Cruiser hybrid grades. There are no petrol-only models.
Changes were mainly cosmetic and include projector-style LED headlights, LED foglights and revised alloy wheel designs, as well as minor equipment and safety upgrades.
Kicking off from $43,250 before on-road costs, you can spot XSE hybrid 2WD hybrid by its blacked-out roof, grille, bumpers, wheel arches, alloy wheels, mirrors and door mouldings, while the interior trim has also been darkened accordingly.
It’s a $2800 jump up from the $40,450 GXL hybrid 2WD, but the XSE equivalent does add a 7.0-inch driver display screen, powered tailgate, electric driver’s seat (but not for the front passenger side – more on that later), heated front seats, imitation leather upholstery (called Softex in Toyota-speak), black headliner and ambient lighting.
You’ll also find auto on/off LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/start, front dual-zone climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, steering-wheel controls, reverse camera, digital radio, five USB ports, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charger, powered/heated external mirrors, electric windows, tilt/telescopic steering, 60/40 split fold rear seats, rear privacy glass, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels (shod with 225/60R18 100H tyres).
On the safety front there are seven airbags (dual front, front side, curtain and driver’s knee), Lane Departure Alert, Lane Trace Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, speed signs recognition, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, Trailer Sway Control, front and rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start control, seatbelt warning and two rear-seat ISOFIX child restraint anchorage points.
Another $3000 buys the $46,250 XSE hybrid with all-wheel drive (AWD) that adds a second electric motor (to the rear axle) and a trail mode for more secure gravel-road driving, upping the combined power output by 3kW to 163kW.
For similar money, sporty midsized SUV rivals like the Mazda CX-5 GT SP AWD (from $48,790) and Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport (from $42,690) can more-or-less match most of the XSE specification, but approach neither the power outputs nor the startling fuel economy of the Toyota’s series-parallel hybrid powertrain.
Only the Haval H6 Hybrid Ultra (from $44,990 driveaway) manages that, and with extra features like a sunroof, cooled seats and a seven-year warranty instead of five years, but it is far from sporty or comfortable.
The Forester 2.0 Hybrid S from $47,190 is neither powerful nor athletic, while plug-in hybrids with punch – like the MG HS PHEV FWD (from $48,990), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GSR AWD (from $52,490) and Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV AWD (from $53,440) – cost more than the RAV4 XSE.
Like we said earlier: finding a gutsy, racy midsized SUV without blowing well into the $50K-plus bracket is not easy – let alone one with hybrid efficiency.
Advantage: RAV4.