The 2025 RAV5 doesn't look like anything special, but also has nothing offensive or questionable to mar its appearance.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The Toyota RAV4 is everywhere. Chances are that if you’ve been outside today, you’ve already seen one on the road. Probably dozens.
The RAV4 is Canada’s most popular SUV and Toyota’s biggest seller – and for good reason; it’s capable, reliable and holds its value very well.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB), an industry guide for vehicle value and depreciation, estimates a 2022 RAV4 will have depreciated by only 13 per cent over the last three years. In comparison, KBB estimates an average vehicle will lose about 20 per cent of its value in just its first year and most vehicles will lose about 60 per cent of their value in their first five years.
After six years of minor tweaks, there’s a new RAV4 coming later this year. The sixth generation RAV4, being built in Cambridge, Ont., will be powered only by a hybrid or plug-in hybrid engine, have a little more power and new infotainment and driver’s assistance systems. Pricing has yet to be announced.
In late May, Toyota unveiled all-new RAV4, which will be built in Ontario and only come as a hybrid. This is the larger Woodland version.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Toyota is ending the gas-only powertrain for the next-generation RAV4. The automaker’s popular Camry sedan is only sold now as a hybrid and Toyota says it’s working toward all its vehicles offering at least an option of hybrid power. The Corolla Hatchback and the sporty GR editions are currently the only Toyotas without an electrified option.
So where does this leave the current RAV4 Hybrid that’s still on back-order for many customers. Is it still a good buy or will it be overshadowed by the new model?
For 2025, only the top-of-the-line edition gets the larger, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though this is fitted to all editions of the 2026 model.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The hybrid RAV4 costs almost $3,000 more than the conventional gas-powered version but uses almost one-third less fuel with a claimed combined average consumption of six litres per 100 kilometres, compared to 8.5. At that rate, if fuel costs $1.50 a litre, it’ll take about 80,000 kilometres of driving to pay off the distance in fuel saving. Of course, for many, it’s not just about money, but emissions savings. An added bonus is the hybrid model also creates more power: 219 horsepower compared to 203. The upcoming hybrid model produces 236 horsepower, but Toyota’s made no claims for improved fuel consumption.
In the last couple of years, with Toyota’s inventory in high demand, many people in the market for a hybrid RAV4 settled for buying a conventionally powered one to have it delivered more quickly. Hence, Toyota’s decision to stop producing the non-hybrid version, to ramp up production of the hybrid.
The rear will change slightly for 2026, with RAV4 in block letters above the licence plate.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Tech specs
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Base price / as tested: $35,750 / $47,655 plus $1,930 for freight and pre-delivery inspection, plus fees and taxes
- Engine: 2.5-litre four cylinder with electric motor
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 219 / 221 lb-ft
- Transmission / drive: Continuously Variable Transmission / All-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 5.8 city, 6.3 highway, 6 combined
- Alternatives: Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Subaru Forester Hybrid
Looks
The RAV4 doesn’t look like anything special and when the sixth-generation 2026 model hits the streets, the current fifth generation will look like last year’s SUV. Still, most people won’t care. It has a great reputation, with nothing offensive or questionable to mar its appearance, and you’ll probably need to beep for it in the parking lot to know which is yours. Is there anything wrong with that?
Interior
There’s plenty of space for passenger in both rows inside the current RAV4, and the next-generation edition doesn’t appear to have any additional room. The dimensions are unchanged, though some editions of the new vehicle feature a toggle switch for a shift-by-wire transmission – this removes the gear selector shift lever – which is already short and hardly obtrusive. Only the top-of-the-line 2025 edition gets the larger, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though this is fitted to all editions of the 2026 model as well as a larger central touchscreen.
Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The hybrid is quicker than the conventionally powered RAV4, taking almost a second less to accelerate from a standstill to 100 kilometres an hour. It’ll still take more than seven leisurely seconds, though. The plug-in hybrid Prime version is significantly quicker and it’s the PHEV that Toyota will use as the base for a sporty GR edition in the upcoming model.
The new RAV4 is apparently a little stiffer in its construction than the 2025 edition. If you want a truly sporty SUV, wait for next year’s model.
Technology
The current hybrid powertrain is already ahead of the competition in most ways that matter. It uses two electric motor-generators attached to a planetary gearset – the smaller one is used as a starter for the engine and as a generator for the battery, while the larger motor drives the wheels. The smaller motor can also drive the wheels when needed and a small third motor drives the rear wheels exclusively. It’s a simple, effective and reliable system. The next generation apparently uses an updated hybrid system with improvements to the transaxle, power control unit, battery and other components. Think of it as an evolution, not a revolution.
I found nothing wrong with the infotainment and driving assistance inside the current model, though the new model will update and enhance all these features. We’ll have to wait until we drive it to know if these are improvements or not.
Cargo
There are 1,071 litres of luggage space behind the rear seats, almost doubling to 1,977 litres when that second row is folded flat. The floor is relatively low compared to some other compact SUVs, making it easier for dogs to jump into the back. The upcoming model appears to have almost the same dimensions.
The trunk on the 2025 model has 1,071 litres of luggage space with the seats up and 1,977 litres with them folded flat.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
I expect the upcoming sixth generation will maintain the best-selling SUV’s reputation for reliability, capability and value for money, but the current fifth generation is still a sound investment. It has no obvious flaws that need correction and it’s at the front of the pack in its highly competitive market.
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