This review covers the outgoing fifth-generation RAV4 Hybrid GXR. Toyota’s sixth-generation RAV4 is now on sale — see the specs and what it costs to own.

Read the full scored review: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXR — rated 7.4/10, with video

Five Months Later: Saying Goodbye to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXR

There are very few vehicles that become part of your everyday routine without ever demanding attention.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXR is one of them.

For the past five months, it has quietly become part of daily life. It has handled city traffic, motorway journeys, shopping trips, photo-shoots, video production, meetings and everything in between without ever feeling out of its depth.

Now, as Toyota ushers in an all-new sixth-generation RAV4, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the outgoing fifth-generation face-lift—a vehicle that has become one of the world’s defining family SUVs.

This isn’t a first-drive review.

It’s what living with the RAV4 was actually like.

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The Fifth Generation That Perfected the Formula

The fifth-generation RAV4 arrived with a completely new platform, a tougher personality and a far more rugged appearance than its predecessor.

Toyota moved away from soft crossover styling and instead embraced sharp creases, muscular wheel arches and a wider stance.

The face-lift refined the package even further with updated lighting, improved technology, revised trim options and a more premium cabin.

Even today, it still looks modern.

In Urban Khaki, arguably one of Toyota’s best colours in recent years, the RAV4 stands out without trying too hard. It’s subtle, sophisticated and perfectly complements the SUV’s adventurous character.

Throughout our time with the vehicle, compliments on the colour were surprisingly common.

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A Cabin Built to Live In

Toyota struck an excellent balance between ruggedness and comfort.

The orange contrast stitching and trim pieces give the cabin just enough personality without becoming flashy.

Visibility is excellent.

Storage is plentiful.

The driving position is superb.

Everything feels exactly where it should be.

Unlike many modern SUVs that prioritise giant screens over usability, the RAV4 still offers physical controls for many everyday functions, making it easy to operate while driving.

After five months, there were no squeaks, rattles or signs that the interior was beginning to age.

That says a lot about Toyota’s build quality.

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Hybrid Power That Never Feels Slow

Under the bonnet sits Toyota’s well-proven 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, paired with the E-Four electronic all-wheel-drive system.

Unlike a conventional mechanical AWD system, E-Four uses an additional electric motor on the rear axle to provide traction when required. There is no traditional propshaft linking the front and rear axles, allowing the system to react quickly while also helping maintain fuel efficiency.

Combined system output is approximately 163 kW (219 hp), delivered through Toyota’s e-CVT transmission.

On paper, those numbers are respectable.

On the road, they feel even better.

The instant torque from the electric motors transforms everyday driving.

Joining traffic is effortless.

Overtaking rarely requires planning.

The RAV4 simply gathers speed smoothly and confidently.

It never feels like a vehicle weighing well over 1.6 tonnes.

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Real-World Fuel Economy

Toyota quotes combined fuel consumption of around 4.5 L/100 km for the hybrid models.

Our experience was different—but still impressive.

Over nearly five months of mixed use, including urban driving, motorway travel and everyday errands, the RAV4 returned approximately:

6.9 L/100 km

Considering the vehicle’s size, all-wheel-drive system and 2.5-litre engine, that’s still an excellent real-world figure.

It’s also worth noting that this wasn’t achieved through economy driving.

The vehicle was driven naturally, often carrying equipment for photography and video production, with periods where it would sit for several days because my work is largely home-based.

For us, the hybrid system delivered exactly what it promised: effortless efficiency without requiring any change in driving habits.

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Road Presence That Surprised Me

One thing I hadn’t expected was just how much presence the RAV4 has on the road.

It’s not loud.

It isn’t flashy.

It doesn’t attract attention like a performance SUV.

Yet there’s a quiet confidence about it.

Other motorists tend to underestimate it.

Then the hybrid torque arrives.

Whether joining a motorway or overtaking slower traffic, the RAV4 responds immediately.

For a family SUV, it’s surprisingly quick when you need it to be.

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The Things I Loved

After five months, several highlights stood out:

• The Urban Khaki paint remains one of the best colours Toyota offers.
• Outstanding hybrid performance and effortless overtaking.
• Excellent fuel economy for a 2.5-litre E-Four SUV.
• Spacious cabin and practical boot.
• Comfortable seating position.
• Premium interior with tasteful orange stitching.
• Key-less entry and push-button start worked flawlessly.
• Strong build quality and Toyota’s reputation for long-term reliability.
• Rugged styling that still looks fresh years after launch.

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The Things That Could Be Better

No vehicle is perfect, and neither is the RAV4.

Infotainment

The factory infotainment system feels dated.

Apple CarPlay dramatically improves the experience, but there were occasions where connectivity froze or failed to connect properly, requiring the system to be restarted.

Without CarPlay, the software already feels a generation behind newer Toyota systems.

Automatic Folding Mirrors

One small annoyance throughout my time with the vehicle was the door mirrors.

I could only fold them by pressing the switch manually.

Whether this was a configuration setting or not, I never managed to have them automatically fold when locking the vehicle.

Interestingly, the smaller Toyota Corolla Cross performs this function automatically, so I found myself missing it here.

Exhaust Clearance

The twin exhaust outlets look fantastic.

Unfortunately, they hang slightly below the rear bumper.

During everyday driving over steep entrances and uneven surfaces, they occasionally scraped before the rest of the vehicle.

For an SUV with genuine adventure credentials, integrating the exhaust outlets higher into the bumper would have improved departure clearance.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring

This was probably my biggest frustration.

I experienced a few slow punctures during my time with the vehicle.

I found myself relying on visual inspections rather than receiving an obvious tyre-pressure warning while driving.

It’s possible the system only alerts under certain thresholds or conditions, but I would have preferred more immediate feedback—particularly on a vehicle positioned in this price bracket.

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Why Isn’t the RAV4 South Africa’s Best-Selling SUV?

Globally, the answer is very different.

The Toyota RAV4 has consistently ranked among the world’s best-selling passenger vehicles and remains the best-selling SUV in markets such as the United States.

South Africa tells a different story.

The challenge isn’t capability.

It’s positioning.

The outgoing RAV4 Hybrid GXR retailed at roughly R 760,000 when new, placing it in premium territory. (The latest generation now starts from around R 770,500 for the entry hybrid, with higher-spec hybrid models approaching R 930,000.)

At that level, buyers begin cross-shopping with:

• Haval H6 HEV
• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro
• Jaecoo J7
• Jetour T2
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Mazda CX-5
• Nissan X-Trail

Many of those rivals offer more equipment per rand.

However, very few can match Toyota’s long-standing reputation for reliability, resale value and proven hybrid technology.

For many buyers, that’s worth paying a premium.

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Farewell to a Benchmark

The sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 has now arrived, bringing a bold new design, updated technology and the latest evolution of Toyota’s hybrid system.

It has big shoes to fill.

Because after five months, one thing became very clear:

The outgoing RAV4 wasn’t trying to be the fastest SUV.

Or the most luxurious.

Or the most technologically advanced.

Instead, it focused on doing almost everything well.

It quietly delivered reliability, practicality, efficiency and confidence every single day.

Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a vehicle great.

As we hand back the keys and look forward to experiencing the sixth-generation model, there’s genuine appreciation for what this fifth-generation facelift achieved.

It wasn’t simply another SUV.

It was one of the vehicles that defined the modern family SUV.

And after living with it, it’s easy to understand why millions of buyers around the world chose one.

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Watch Our Full Video Review

📺 Our complete five-month ownership review of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXR is now available on the Sport Utility Vehicles YouTube channel, where we take you on a full POV walkaround and driving experience, sharing what it’s really like to live with Toyota’s benchmark family SUV.

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Vehicle Specifications