How Long Do Toyota RAV4 Hybrids Last? (12 Important Facts)

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers the versatility to drive using either electric energy or a combination of gas and electric.

It made its debut alongside the facelifted fourth-gen model in 2016, and 2019 saw the addition of a plug-in hybrid version.

In this article, we’ll cover the RAV4 Hybrid’s average lifespan and reliability.

Here is the short answer to how long the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid lasts:

A Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can last at least 200,000 miles and can even last over 300,000 miles providing it’s properly maintained and driven conservatively. At an average of 15,000 miles per year, you can expect to get 20 years of reliable service from it before requiring expensive repairs.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

It should come as no great surprise that the RAV4 Hybrid is expected to last a really long time.

It not only benefits from Toyota’s legendary reliability but also the Japanese automaker’s extensive experience in building hybrid vehicles.

Toyota has been perfecting its Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) for over 20 years which allows it to consistently lead hybrid vehicle sales charts in different markets. 

Toyota hybrids, like the Prius and Camry Hybrid, are also widely used in taxi fleets all over the world and have no trouble racking up hundreds of thousands of miles year after year.

Both generations of the RAV4 Hybrid use the same gas engine and hybrid drivetrain as the Camry Hybrid so it will be just as reliable and last just as long.

The hybrid battery on RAV4s sold from 2020 onwards also comes with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty. Older RAV4 Hybrids come with an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. 

Even if you need to replace the battery after the warranty has expired, there are lots of aftermarket replacements available that cost around $2,000.

It’s a small price to pay to get several more years out of the vehicle — especially when compared to EV batteries which cost 5 to 10 times more.

Keep in mind though, longevity is dependent on how you look after your vehicle – sure, the RAV4 is designed to venture off-road but being too aggressive with the accelerator and brake pedals can be hard on any vehicle.

Regular maintenance will also ensure your RAV4 Hybrid lasts as long as possible and help you get the most life from your hybrid battery pack.

The gas engine and electric motor work together and if one isn’t working as it should it can negatively impact the other, this is why staying up to date with maintenance is crucial.

At service intervals the battery pack should be tested – if one or more weak battery cells are depleted, the battery can be reconditioned to prolong its life.

If these check-ups are skipped it can shorten the battery’s life.

Does the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Rust Easily?

The RAV4 Hybrid has only been out for a couple of years so even older examples won’t have much corrosion issues aside from regular surface rust.

In general, Toyotas are known to be quite resilient against rust. It’s not uncommon to see 20-year old models still being used as daily drivers and winter beaters.

All Toyotas come with a 60-month/unlimited mile Rust-Through warranty in case you encounter any excessive corrosion.

After 5 years or so, it’s normal to see some surface rust on different body panels and especially on the brake rotors. But this shouldn’t affect the drivability and structural integrity of the vehicle. 

Most RAV4s will see a lot of winter use.

If you live in an area that uses a lot of road salt when it snows and you’re looking to pick up a used RAV4 Hybrid, make sure it’s been well taken care of.

Check the underside for excessive corrosion on the frame and suspension components.

If you want to keep your RAV4 rust-free, wash it regularly, including the underside, especially after exposure to road salt.

Related: 7 Most Common Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems (Explained)

What is High Mileage for a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

A RAV4 Hybrid with 100,000 miles is considered a high mileage vehicle.

Although it still has many years left in it, there’s a higher chance that it will need more minor repairs.

At higher mileages, wear items like the brake rotors, wheel bearings, water pump, belts and hoses will likely need replacing. If you’re considering a RAV4 Hybrid that was sold prior to 2020, its high voltage battery warranty will have already expired at 100,000 miles.

If the price is really good and you can see that the vehicle was taken care of, a high mileage RAV4 Hybrid can still be a good deal. Just make sure you have some money set aside for potential repairs. 

• Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide evidence of this.
• Get a second opinion. Have it checked by a Toyota dealership or an independent repair shop with a good reputation.
• Check the CarFax. This doesn’t guarantee anything but it will provide a clearer picture of wear-and-tear. Ensure it has minimal damage, if any, and has not been involved in a major accident. 
• Number of previous owners. As a general rule, less is better. More owners usually means more wear-and-tear. A one-owner car that’s been regularly serviced on time is less likely to have issues and nasty surprises.
• How long you are planning on keeping the car. If you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time, you should evaluate whether the short-term savings outweigh spending a bit extra on something newer and more reliable.
• Examine the interior. The condition of the interior tells the story of how well the car was maintained and cared for. Does the steering wheel, pedals or shifter look suspiciously new? If so, there’s a good chance that the car was very heavily used, and those parts were just replaced before it was put up for sale.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Toyota Highlander Hybrids Last?

How Long Does the RAV4 Hybrid Last Compared to its Rivals?

In this section we’ll take a look at some of the RAV4’s closest competitors in the hybrid segment and see how they stack up in terms of reliability and upkeep.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid

The first CR-V Hybrid was introduced in 2017 and was subsequently sold in the North American market in 2020.

Honda has been making hybrid versions of the Civic and Accord since the early 2000s, and also released the Honda Insight around the same time as the first Prius.

While there are many Honda Insights that have gone past 500,000 miles, we’ve noticed that Civic and Accord Hybrids typically need a high voltage battery replacement at around 200,000 miles. The CR-V Hybrid uses the same powertrain as the current gen Accord Hybrid.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid should be able to last 250,000 – 350,000 miles or 15 – 17 years with proper care and maintenance.

• RepairPal gave the CR-V a reliability rating of 4.5/5 which is slightly higher than the RAV4’s rating of 4/5.
• According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost for both vehicles is almost the same with the CR-V costing $407 compared to the RAV4 costing $429 per year.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the CR-V Hybrid a reliability rating of 4.6/5 which is much higher than the RAV4 Hybrid’s 3.6/5. It’s worth noting that the RAV4 has 10 times the number of reviews and there are lots of 1 star reviews not related to reliability.
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the 2021 CR-V Hybrid an overall rating of 4.2/5 which is almost the same as the RAV4 Hybrid’s 4.1/5.
• J.D. Power gave the Honda CR-V a Quality & Reliability rating of 79/100 which is slightly higher than the RAV4’s rating of 74/100.

Toyota and Honda both have excellent reputations for reliability and you can’t really go wrong with either one.

There are many more Toyota Hybrids on the road and its reputation is unmatched.

In non-CARB states, the CR-V Hybrid has a shorter 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty compared to the RAV4’s 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The CR-V Hybrid might have slightly better handling, but reviewers have also complained about its smaller engine which tends to be noisier at highway speeds.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Honda CR-V Hybrids Last?

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a new model for 2022. 

Hyundai only started producing hybrid vehicles in 2016 with the Ioniq, but the Korean manufacturer has built a solid reputation for reliability over the past decade.

Since Hyundai doesn’t have much of a track record with hybrids, we estimate the Tucson Hybrid’s average lifespan to be a little shorter than the RAV4 Hybrid at 200,000 – 300,000 miles or 13 – 15 years.

• RepairPal gave the Hyundai Tucson a reliability rating of 4/5 which is similar to the RAV4’s rating.
• The Hyundai Tucson costs just as much to maintain with an average annual repair cost of $426 compared to the RAV4’s $429.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Tucson Hybrid a reliability rating of 4.4/5 which is much higher than the RAV4 Hybrid’s 3.6/5. The RAV4 does have 10 times the number of reviews and lots of the 1 star reviews were not related to reliability.
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the 2022 Tucson Hybrid an overall rating of 4.2/5 which is almost the same as the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid’s 4.1/5.
• J.D. Power gave the Hyundai Tucson a Quality & Reliability rating of 88/100 which is much higher than the RAV4’s rating of 74/100.

Hyundai used to offer lifetime battery warranties for their EVs and hybrids (limited to the original owners).

This was updated in 2020 to a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, so the RAV4 warranty still wins out when it comes to mileage.

Despite this, the Tucson has a much longer basic and powertrain warranty.

The Tucson Hybrid also offers more standard features than the base model RAV4 Hybrid and both start at around the same price.

If you’re looking at top-of-the-line models, they’re pretty even. 

According to reviewers, the Tucson Hybrid has a more refined ride than the RAV4 Hybrid. But it’s fuel efficiency is less than the RAV4 or the CR-V. Dealership service also tends to be better with Toyota.

Hyundai resale values are not as strong as Toyota’s, so it’s worth considering if you don’t plan on keeping the car for more than 5 years. 

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid was the first-ever hybrid SUV when it was released in 2005. 

The hybrid option was dropped in the third generation lineup but was reintroduced with the fourth gen model in 2020.

The first and second gen Ford Escape Hybrid was regularly used in taxi fleets in major cities all over the U.S. and has proven to be a very reliable vehicle.

With this in mind, we expect the Escape Hybrid to last 200,000 – 300,000 miles and deliver anywhere from 13-17 years of reliable service.

• RepairPal gave the Ford Escape a reliability rating of 4/5 which is the same as the RAV4’s rating.
• The Escape Hybrid is more expensive to maintain with an average annual repair cost of $600 compared to the RAV4’s $429.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the latest generation Ford Escape lineup a reliability rating of 4.4/5 which is much higher than the RAV4 Hybrid’s 3.6/5. Although the RAV4 Hybrid has significantly more reviews and lots of the 1 star ratings were not related to reliability.
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the 2021 Escape Hybrid an overall rating of 4.1/5 which is exactly the same as the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid’s rating.
• J.D. Power gave the Ford Escape a lower Quality & Reliability rating of 72/100 compered to the RAV4’s rating of 74/100.

Ford has proven its hybrid capabilities with the durability of its Escape Hybrids used in different taxi fleets.

The latest Escape Hybrid has a more car-like driving experience than the RAV4, but the Toyota has better-looking interiors.

Toyota interiors are also more durable than Ford’s, so an older RAV4 is much easier to live with than a comparably aged Ford.

The RAV4 Hybrid has more cargo space but the Escape Hybrid has more room for passengers in the back.

Base models and top-of-the-line models for both the Escape Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid are pretty closely priced, but resale values for the RAV4 are going to be much higher. 

While the Escape Hybrid has an exceptional track record for reliability, the RAV4 will likely be easier to live with if you plan on keeping it for more than 5 years considering its higher maintenance cost and less durable interiors.

Related: How Long Do Ford Escape Hybrids Last?

Comparison Chart

* Ratings for entire model range (not specific to hybrid models)

Is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Reliable?

The RAV4 Hybrid is one of the most reliable compact SUVs available in the market.

It uses the same engine and hybrid powertrain as the highly regarded Camry Hybrid which is used in taxi fleets all over the world.

Hitting 100,000 miles is not an issue for the RAV4 Hybrid and the hybrid drivetrain should be able to last 300,000 miles.

Toyota has been perfecting its Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) for over 20 years. Couple this with the Japanese automaker’s legendary reliability and you’ve got an extremely reliable platform that won’t let you down.

Here are a couple of other data points that prove the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s reliability:

• RepaiPal ranks the RAV4 as the 3rd most reliable compact SUV out of 26 other competitors
• Based on the CarComplaints database, the RAV4 Hybrid has very few customer complaints despite its record breaking sales numbers

Reliability Compared to Other SUVs

Data from Repair Pal, takes into account both hybrid and gas-powered models.

The Best and Worst Years for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Though the RAV4 Hybrid has only been available for less than a decade, it still has its share of good and bad years.

Worst Model Year

Looking at the CarComplaints database, we believe the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is the worst model year due to the numerous complaints of fuel tank problems.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s fuel tank issue doesn’t affect the vehicle’s reliability, but owners are unable to fill up the fuel tank to its full capacity which significantly affects its range.

Toyota has issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and recalls in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Best Model Year

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has far fewer complaints reported on the CarComplaints website compared to previous model years.

The previous generation RAV4 Hybrids from 2017 to 2018 also have less issues reported compared to the early model years of the latest generation and are good buys if you’re looking for used models. 

Related: 9 Best & Worst Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Years (Pictures & Stats)

Model Year and Number of Complaints

Here is the total number of complaints on the CarComplaints database for every model year of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid so far:

What About Recalls for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has had 9 recalls in total since it was released in 2016.

You can check if your Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been subjected to a recall campaign by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the Toyota recall site or the NHTSA recall database.

It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults repaired at no charge to the consumer.

Here is the total number of recall campaigns for every model year of the RAV4 Hybrid:

• 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 0
• 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 4
• 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 3
• 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 0
• 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 2
• 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 0

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Model Year List

The first RAV4 Hybrid was introduced alongside the facelifted fourth generation model.

Fourth Generation:

• 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 
• 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 
• 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 
• 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 

Fifth Generation:

• 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 
• 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 
• 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Expensive to Maintain?

The Toyota RAV4 is relatively inexpensive to maintain and costs only an average of $429 per year compared to other compact SUVs which cost an average of $521 per year. 

It’s also much cheaper to repair than most vehicles recorded in the RepairPal database which reported an overall average annual repair cost of $652 per year.

In addition, the RAV4 Hybrid uses the same engine and drivetrain as the Camry Hybrid, the Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus NX Hybrid, so parts should be widely available and quite affordable.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

The RAV4 Hybrid’s brake pads should be able to last at least 100,000 miles before they’re completely worn through.

The RAV4 Hybrid, like other Toyota hybrids, uses regenerative braking to charge the battery and slow down the vehicle so you don’t need to use the brakes as much.

If you live in an area that uses a lot of road salt during the winter, your brake rotors will rust much faster and may need replacing sooner.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The RAV4 Hybrid’s factory tires tend to last for about 30,000 to 40,000 miles. 

They can wear out much sooner depending on road conditions, driving habits, climate and maintenance. Lower tread wear tires also wear out much sooner but also provide much more grip.

Here are a couple of tips that will help you preserve the life of your tires:

• Rotate tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even wear.
• If you drive on rough roads or regularly launch the car and slam on the brakes, your tires will take more of a beating.
• Check your tire pressure every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
• Check your wheel alignment every 6 months.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Toyota Avalon Hybrids Last?

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

The RAV4 Hybrid uses an eCVT which is more durable than a traditional automatic or a belt-type CVT found in other ICE vehicles.

Failures or issues with Toyota’s eCVTs are quite rare so you can be confident in the fact that the RAV4’s transmission will outlast the vehicle.

How Long Will the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s Electric Motors Last?

The Toyota RAV4’s hybrid motors can easily last over 500,000 miles.

The RAV4 uses the same hybrid powertrain as the Camry Hybrid which are known to last hundreds of thousands of miles in taxi fleets, ride sharing vehicles, and delivery vehicles.

Toyota has been making hybrid vehicles for over 2 decades and has consistently been at the top of hybrid sales charts for the same amount of time. With so many hybrid vehicles on the road, failures in Toyota’s electric motors are extremely rare so it shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s spark plugs should be replaced every 120,000 miles or every 12 years, whichever comes first.

The RAV4 Hybrid uses iridium spark plugs which have a much higher service life than traditional spark plugs. 

How Long Do Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Batteries Last?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s high-voltage batteries can last 200,000 to 300,000 miles.

Many Toyota hybrids have even gone past the 300,000-mile mark using their original batteries, so you shouldn’t be worried about premature failures or issues.

If you do need to replace the hybrid batteries out of warranty, there are lots of aftermarket replacements available that only cost around $2,000.

This is a relatively small price to pay to extend the life of the vehicle, especially when you compare it to the price of EV batteries which cost at least 5 to 10 times more.

What About Insurance Costs?

According to Insuraviz’s estimates, the RAV4 costs an average of $1,480 per year or $123 per month to insure. 

Insurance costs can vary from person to person, so be sure to shop around to find the best possible deal for your RAV4 Hybrid.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

• Practice smooth and safe driving habits..
• Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
• Use quality parts and fluids.
• Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
• Regularly wash your RAV4 Hybrid to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust.
• Keep your Toyota RAV4 stored in a garage to help protect it from extreme heat.
• Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your RAV4 needs and in what quantities, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.

Sources

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-hybrid-car-models-america-1590402

https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals

http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7722/~/what-hybrid-warranty-coverage-do-i-have-on-my-toyota

https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid

https://www.kbb.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid/2022/consumer-reviews/

https://repairpal.com/reliability/toyota/rav4

https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid/

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/RAV4_Hybrid/

https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/toyota/toyota-rav4-insurance/