The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a compact SUV that was introduced in 2016.
It is best known for its excellent fuel economy, roomy interior and smooth ride quality.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best and worst model years of the RAV4 Hybrid.
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Here’s The Short Answer To What The Best And Worst Years For The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Are:
The best Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model years are 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. The worst model years of the RAV4 Hybrid are 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2018. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
What Are The Best Years For The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
2024 and 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2024 and 2023 RAV4 Hybrid model years are two of the most up-to-date models in terms of tech and equipment.
They provide owners with impressive fuel economy, desirable infotainment features, and a spacious cargo area with a lot of compartments.
New for these model years is the Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster.
These SUVs are available in 7 trims: LE, XLE, SE, Woodland Edition, XLE Premium, XSE, and Limited.
All versions are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine matched with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
When purchased brand new, starting prices for various trims range from around $32,000 to $40,000.
The most popular trim among the available options is the midrange XLE Premium (priced at $36,460), as it provides the best value for money thanks to its 18-inch wheels, upgraded projector-style LED headlights, and sport suspension.
EPA estimates are 40 MPG for combined driving, 38 MPG for highway driving, and 41 MPG for city driving.
2024 RAV4 Hybrid:
- Edmunds: NA
- Kelley Blue Book: NA
- JD Power: NA
2023 RAV4 Hybrid:
- Edmunds: 4.4 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6 / 5.0
- JD Power: 82 / 100
2023 RAV4 Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“My RAV4 Hybrid really is better than I expected. Great ride, great features, great MPG, handles awesome, love the great screen. The car for the money is a great value.”
2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2022 RAV4 Hybrid is part of the fifth generation introduced for 2019. It is spacious, reasonably priced, and very fuel efficient boasting a 10-plus mpg advantage over the standard RAV4.
New for this particular model year is the midrange SE trim.
A few minor changes to equipment and features were also made.
There are 6 variants to choose from: LE, XLE, SE, XLE Premium, XSE, and Limited.
The XLE Premium is a top pick as it combines affordable pricing and useful features, including a sunroof and a power liftgate.
Regardless of trim selection, you get a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor with a secondary electric motor powering the rear wheels (when necessary).
The addition of the secondary electric motor essentially makes this SUV an all-wheel-drive.
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6 / 5.0
- JD Power: 82 / 100
2022 RAV4 Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“My first Toyota! I was impressed with the entire buying process. My vehicle is awesome. I have the 2022 XSE Pearl Blizzard. I love it! It has all the bells and whistles… I’m very satisfied with my purchase. It rides smoothly. The black leatherette interior gives it a luxury look and feel. The control display is easy to operate. I get stares when I pull up next to other vehicles. It’s been a great driving experience…”
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2021 RAV4 Hybrid is a standout in its class thanks to its fuel economy, interior design, technology, swift acceleration and storage.
This model year debuted the XLE Premium trim.
There are 5 trims for this model year: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, XSE, and Limited.
This model performed well in the safety department, securing a 5-star collision safety rating from NHTSA.
Our favorite safety equipment are Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist.
Based on owner reviews, these models’ highlights include the following aspects: appearance, fuel economy, driving experience, handling, steering, ride quality, technology, and comfort.
EPA claims that, on average, the vehicle can provide you with up to 40 MPG.
- Edmunds: 4.2 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6 / 5.0
- JD Power: NA
2021 RAV4 Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“I’ve only had the RAV4 for a few weeks but so far loving it. I’m getting about 35 MPG (combined) but I do drive “fast” and tend to gun it from time to time. First off, the RAV4 drives quiet at highway speeds with stock Firestone tires. In sport mode this SUV can move—reports show 0-60 in 7.3 seconds and it feels like it. Toyota sense is nice—but I would recommend an XLE with a few upgraded packages…”
2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2020 RAV4 Hybrid is the second installment of the 5th-generation.
It had a few improvements over its predecessor, including Android Auto smartphone integration and power driver’s seat functionality as a standard feature for the XLE trim.
Speaking of trims, there are 4 to choose from: LE, XLE, XSE, and the top-spec Limited.
All of these variants come with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor with CVT.
The total output is 219 horsepower.
Based on reviews, this vehicle does well in terms of fuel efficiency, appearance, driving experience, ride quality, climate control, technology, and (minimal) road noise.
- Edmunds: 3.9 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.6 / 5.0
- JD Power: 78 / 100
2020 RAV4 Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“ … I’ve had the vehicle for almost a month now, and driven it a lot. Gas mileage is very close to predicted. We drive a mix of in town and rural, as we live in the country. It appears we get around 39 mpg in our type of driving, although when we are in stop and go traffic, the mileage goes up. Comfort and ergonomics wise, the car is great, apart from the front passenger seat…”
Consumer Scores For Best Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Years
| Model Year | Edmunds Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating | JD Power Consumer Rating |
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | NA | NA | NA |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 4.4 / 5.0 | 3.6 / 5.0 | 82 / 100 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 4.3 / 5.0 | 3.6 / 5.0 | 82 / 100 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 4.2 / 5.0 | 3.6 / 5.0 | NA |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 3.9 / 5.0 | 3.6 / 5.0 | 78 / 100 |
Related: How Long Do Toyota RAV4 Hybrids Last? (12 Important Facts)
What Are The Worst Years For The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
2016 and 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2016 and 2017 RAV4 Hybrids were the first models produced and they had their share of teething issues. We’d advise you to steer clear of these models.
Owners reported various issues including random loss of power and problems starting the vehicle. These issues were linked to the battery.
Here’s what owners had to say:
“I bought my Rav4 in September of 2017 brand new and within 6 months I had a dead battery needing replacement so I replaced it via AAA. Since then, I have had the battery replaced an additional 3 times!”
“My vehicle is on it’s 3rd battery replacement in less than 5 years because it randomly fails. It will not start. This is after I had recently taken my vehicle in for service, where the service technicians have checked the battery performance as “Good”.”
Some owners also reported that their battery caught fire whilst other owners reported that the vehicle randomly started on its own.
The 2016 and 2017 RAV4 Hybrids also received a high number of complaints due to the lights.
These included simultaneous headlight failure, water intrusion into the taillights, discoloration/fogging of tail light lens, turn signal failure and brake light failure.
- The 2017 RAV4 Hybrid had a total of 205 complaints according to NHTSA and 4 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
- The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid had no data on the NHTSA and 17 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Exterior lighting issues
- Battery needs replacing repeatedly
- Air conditioning condensation hose became clogged
- Engine started automatically in the middle of the night
2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is another problematic model year due to issues with the fuel tank.
More specifically, the fuel tank system would not go beyond 10 gallons in capacity when the tank is being filled, despite having a maximum capacity of approximately 15 gallons.
One owner explains the inconvenience he experiences as a result of this problem below:
“FUEL TANK CAPACITY 14.5 GALLONS CAN ONLY BE FILLED TO 9.5 GALLONS WITHOUT AGGRESSIVE “TOPPING OFF”. IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL HARM AND VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL DAMAGE, TOPPING OFF NOT USED. HOWEVER, THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE 5 GALLONS SHORT OF A FULL TANK (ABOUT 200 MILE RANGE LOSS)”
Some owners also reported that the fuel tank would leak.
The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid had a total of 18 complaints according to NHTSA and 36 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Cannot fill fuel tank completely
- Engine light comes on
- Car would not start
- Windshield easily cracks
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2018 RAV4 Hybrid received a higher-than-average number of complaints for a barely audible lane departure assist indicator.
While this issue is more of an inconvenience rather than a significant safety hazard, poor audio from the lane departure assist feature essentially renders it ineffective.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer has responded to the matter, indicating that the volume cannot be increased any further, as noted below:
“THE BUZZER VOLUME ALERTING THE DRIVER OF CROSSING A LINE IN THE LANE DEPARTURE FEATURE IS SO LOW IT CANNOT ALWAYS BE HEARD. TOYOTA STATES THE VOLUME CANNOT BE INCREASED.”
another owner had this to say:
“THE LANE DEPARTURE ALARM ON THE 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID IS VIRTUALLY INAUDIBLE AND REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.”
The 2018 RAV4 Hybrid had a total of 12 complaints according to NHTSA and 9 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Plastic parts melt in the sun
- Brake failure
- Lane departure assist buzzer not audible
Related: 7 Most Common Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems (Explained)
What Years Have The Most Complaints?
| Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) | Complaints (NHTSA.gov) | Recalls (NHTSA.gov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | – | – | – |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 21 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 36 | 18 | 3 |
| 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 9 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 4 | 205 | 0 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 17 | – | 0 |
What Problems Do Toyota RAV4 Hybrids Have?
- Air conditioning condensation hose became clogged
- Engine started automatically in the middle of the night
- Cannot fill fuel tank completely
- Engine light comes on
- Car would not start
- Windshield easily cracks
- Plastic parts melt in the sun
- Brake failure
- Lane departure assist buzzer not audible
- Door does not close properly
- Roof rack weatherstrip blew off
- Battery died
What Are The Best Alternatives To The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
| Make & Model | Score | MSRP | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | 8.7 | $30,900 – $44,310 | Electric: 80 /Gas: 35 – 38 |
| Kia Sportage Hybrid | 8.7 | $27,490 – $36,390 | City: 38 – 42 /Highway: 38 – 44 |
| Mazda CX-90 PHEV | 8.5 | $47,445 – $56,950 | City: NA /Highway: NA |
| Honda CR-V Hybrid | 8.3 | $32,450 – $38,600 | City: 40 – 43 /Highway: 34 – 36 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | 8.3 | $35,660 – $41,320 | City: 33 – 36 /Highway: 30 – 31 |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 8.2 | $30,225 – $38,530 | City: 41 /Highway: 38 |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 8.1 | $40,220 – $52,425 | City: 35 – 36 /Highway: 34 – 35 |
| Toyota RAV4 Prime | 8.1 | $41,590 – $45,460 | Electric: 94 /Gas: 38 |
| Kia Sorento Hybrid | 8.0 | $36,590 – $49,890 | City: 36 – 39 /Highway: 33 – 35 |
| Kia Niro | 7.9 | $26,590 – $39,590 | Electric: 105 /Gas: 46 – 53 |
| Ford Escape Hybrid | 7.7 | $29,345 – $40,500 | City: 26 – 42 /Highway: 32 – 36 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 7.7 | $36,845 | Electric: 90 /Highway: 35 |
Source: cars.usnews.com, edmunds.com
Related: 8 Most Common Toyota RAV4 Prime Problems (Explained)
References
https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/toyota/rav4-hybrid
https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid/
https://www.kbb.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid/
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2023/toyota/rav4
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/RAV4_Hybrid/
https://www.carproblemzoo.com/tsb/toyota/rav4hybrid/
https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-rav4_hybrid/recalls/
