Toyota RAV4 2021 review: GXL hybrid AWD

The RAV4 feels suave but rugged at the same time with good angles, beefy proportions and a hint of modernity.

It has an air of sophistication that we wouldn’t have associated with Toyota two years ago, but now apparently, that’s what the brand's all about, and this car is covetable. 

The RAV4 feels suave but rugged.

The inside looks good, too, even though it’s the middle of the range and I immediately miss the leather seats.

The fabric seats aren’t bad, though. They still feel nice and the longer you drive in them, the better they feel. The 'Premium' steering wheel is 'leather accented', though.

I do love the striped, textured rubber accents on the volume controls and air conditioning knobs, it adds to the rugged feeling of the car. 

The RAV4 has an air of sophistication.

Quickly and silently to begin with as it’s a hybrid, then the petrol engine kicks in when you need more power.

It drives really well with a seamless transition from the electric motor to the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine.

It’s got enough power to get up hills quickly and to coast along highways. 

It has a four-cylinder petrol engine.

In the RAV4 GXL the engine charges the battery, and the batteries power the electric motor. So, it uses less fuel than a regular engine because it’s dipping into stored energy.

Claimed fuel consumption is 4.8L/100km which is amazing for a family-sized SUV, and I averaged 6.3L/100km this week, driving mainly around Sydney suburbs. Not a lot of highway driving this week. 

The steering turns easily so parking is relatively easy.

This model is also an AWD which is great for traction on unstable surfaces.

The steering turns easily so parking is relatively easy and there is a reverse parking camera to help, though it’s not super high-resolution.

The front seats are manually operated on this model, as is the tailgate. It’s nice and light, though, so not hard work. 

There are two cupholders in the front, a spot for charging your phone that also has that textured rubber finish which helps stop your device sliding around, a centre storage bin, and bottle holders in each door.

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest plus bottle holders in the doors, and directional air vents.

There are two cupholders in the front and a spot for charging your phone.

The Toyota RAV4 GXL hybrid comes with advanced safety as standard such as auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure alert and lane keeping assist, active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 

The RAV-4 scored the maximum five ANCAP stars when it was tested in 2019. 

You’ll get seven airbags plus two ISOFIX points and three top tether points to fit kids car seats in safely. 

It scored the maximum five ANCAP stars when it was tested in 2019.

The Toyota RAV4 GXL hybrid costs $42,915, before on-road costs.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 4.8L/100km and I averaged 6.3L/100km this week with mainly suburban driving, which is what drives the fuel cost up. 

It’s covered by Toyota’s five year, unlimited km warranty, seven years warranty on the engine and gearbox (if you keep it serviced by the book) and seven years of roadside assist.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, with the price for each service capped at $215 for the first five years.