The RAV4 gas VS RAV4 Hybrid! Which model should you buy?

Just bought a 2023 XSE tech, and yep, I think it looks as you said "badass". The thing I like the most is just going for drives again! With the price of fuel these days, I only went out if I "needed" to. Now I go for drives even if I just want to. I realize you can buy a lot of gas for the extra cost of the hybrid, but with the lower maintenance etc, Its sort of a guilt free drive. My 17 SE non hybrid was also a fabulous super reliable vehicle. I gave it to my son, and I expect he'll get 100's of thousand km's of reliable ownership from it, as I'm sure I'll get from my new hybrid.

Hahahahah it is funny how sales people make recommendations to customers when it is so obvious that they just are convincing you to get whatever gives them the largest bonus.

Does the LE hybrid have key start and auto temp control?

Does the RAV4 hybrid ride better being that it weighs more? Thanks.

The hybrids by its nature consumes less gas. Mentioning the gas mileage for the 4WD is not fair since the 2WD is more economical. Your justification for this choice does not make any sense.

You are the best 👏

It's Ugly!!

Your reading estimates not real world mpg. They are rarely the same.

That's easy but we're I'm at it's like a 10k difference in price so not that easy

The New ones are so ugly!😱

I think Toyota is doing a little slight of hand. On a Kia Sportage the difference in pricing between the hybrid and gas model is approximately $10,000. I think if you look closely at the Toyota gas models you will find they come with more standard equipment like heated and ventalated seats, sun roofs, on-board battery chargers, remote starters and safety equipment. Also it's strange the hybrid model has more torque but still can't pull a trailer. I think I'll wait 5 years to see if the battery technology doubles the capacity of todays batteries, that would give a RAV4 PHEV over a 100 miles of range. I would choose the gas models only because the hybrid technology is still evolving and todays high end product may not last as long or hold it's value.

Gas model lower by 16hp -5%. But it's lighter by 6% either! So you barely notice the difference in power.

Thanks for the review. your review was so detailed and exactly what I wanted to know.
If I want to go for the hybrid one, how long does it take to get it ? Thanks.

Not a big fan of hybrids from personal experience. The BMW X5 diesel is shockingly good !

Thanks for great content. Trying my luck with a question maybe yourself or a user can help with.

Need help. This would be my first and probably last new car.. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford another at my retirement. Almost 50 already...

Anyhow, here goes.

I drive 4, half mile trips every weekday and one, 30 mile trip every 2nd Saturday. I'm from Canada so, we're talking cold engine also.

If I'm looking to keep a new 2023 Rav4 LE, for at least 12 years, am I better off with a Hybrid for better, longer engine life?

Thank You

Worthless video...thought you were going to explain Hybrid pros/cons.

Hi, I’m looking to purchase either the 2023 rav4 Limited hybrid(18m wait) or rav4 limited gas model (4m wait). Is there a huge difference between the 2 in terms of driving and power? We only do about 10km-15km a year. Worried about the high voltage cable corrosion here in Canada with our brutal winters. I currently have a 2022 NLINE Tucson gas and not very happy with the power train and gas mileage. TIA

It does have gears. It is not a "traditional" cvt with a belt/pulley set up. Look it up for clarification.

Thank you!

Funny … I bought mine in November 2021 and both RAV4 LE AWD hybrids and regular were about the same price. 400 US dollars difference perhaps (MSRP).

I bought the hybrid model & I'm super happy! Especially now with gas prices in 2022🤑. I was a little concerned about buying a hybrid for the potential extra repair cost (compared to gas models) but Toyota's 10-year warranty period for the hybrid system gave me peace of mind. Kudos to Toyota for supporting his quality! 💯👏

Great rev! About to canvass small SUV’s…hybrid’s big thing to consider esp with gas prices right now! Thank you!

Hi Mark..you forgot to compare the transmission in this video...Rav4 gas has 8 speed Automatic Transm VS Rav4 Hybrid has a ECVT transm.....Rav4 hybrid will give more initial torque because of 219 horpepower but the CVT transm on hybrid has no Gears which means the Ride feel is not very enjoyable...No feel of the gearshifts....i dont know why Toyota did not give a nice Automatic transmission on Hybrids...please advise...Thanks

I bought the 21' Gas FWD Rav4 last spring. The reason why is that I wanted the most reliable Rav4. It has a nice 203hp 4cyl engine(450mile range) and most importantly, the great 8spd Transmission, no CVT for me. I think this combo will outlast any hybrid and it costs less as well. Remember, if you plan to keep the car 10 years+ the hybrid battery will have to be changed at some point, at a huge cost ($5k-$10k). If you sell it before the battery dies, you'll take a big hit on depreciation, to cover the battery cost. I take regular cross country trips and I don't want any mechanical headaches. Love my Rav4.

hybrid ,better for Taxi alway run on the road......

Transmission on the hybrid (CVT) is a big concern or mine.

It’s like pulling teeth

Hybrid is garbage.

If you have all those amazing horse powers in a hybrid model, then you why it can’t toll a boat as good as a cheapest gas model? Your logic looks contradictory.

Hybrid has more power and torque...but not towing capacity??? So gas is it if you are towing stuff...?? A couple of thousand dollars are not too much of a difference, what about maintenance? There are more parts in a hybrid, so if I am thinking that line, more stuff will go wrong?

May we know the address of your dealership?

I doubt it takes 1 to 1.5 years to recuperate the cost of hybrid. Both hybrid and gas models cost gas. The cost savings is about 644$ a year for 20000km half city and highway. The price difference between the XLE 2021 is about 3K. You're looking between 4 to 5 years in order to recuperate the cost of the hybrid. I think your 1 to 1.5 years recuperate is only if hybrid didn't cost any gas at all. lol I think if you consider the winter factor, the cost savings of the hybrid is less than what the specs says (based on what a taxi driver told me).

Toyota is keep saying that they want to sell a lot of hybrids, but they deliver only 10 % to the dealerships. There are no incentives for hybrids either.

Le hybrid ❤️ rav4

Hottest looking small SUV. Venza. No competition.
Negatives. No towing capability. Terrible interior storage. Hybrid only. E-AWD only. Bought one. Love it.

Gas all the way, cheaper to maintain. Hybrid batteries and generators are gonna be the end of the road for a hybrid when it comes to replacing those items.

Hi ! Awesome vehicle is the RAV4 hybrid. Very very economical. Shall get the top trim HEV. Can’t get the prime in NZ. Perhaps Toyota NZ will skip the Prime amd go straight to the BEV in 2024.
Toyota definitely the best in the business when it comes to the hybrid.

Auckland. NZ. Regards.

The Hybrid and Gas RAV4’s have the same towing capacity. Tempted to stop watching but I’ll continue haha

This dudes mileage calculations are so off from the rest of the world when it comes to these ravs. Everyone else says about 40 for hybrid and 30 for gas.

i should have seen it too late one week

Ive got the 2021 RAV4 in pearl white with black roof & trim, black 19in wheels looks stunning i love it !!

Hey Marcello, I hope I'm spelling your name right! Lol first of all this was the perfect video for me to watch before considering a rav4 hybrid! While the Rav4 XSE hybrid is pretty sexy, I am a student who is commuting heavily on the highway to MBA school and work and back home. I'm not looking for all the bells and whistles but just a base model hyrbid rav4 with all the safety features, power and overall low cost of ownership. I am actually considering a Rav4 LE hybrid over a Subaru Crosstrek - what do you think?

I also had a few questions about the Rav4 Le Hybrid:

1. Does the Hyrbid battery charge better when the rav4 hybrid is idling?

2. How do I avoid the situation where I can't start my rav4 hyrbid because of a dead hyrbid battery?

3. People complain about the artifical braking feel of the rav4 hyrbid - why is that? Are the brakes more responsive on a rav4 hyrbid?

4. Does a hyrbid rav4 take longer to warm up in the winter?

Sorry for all the text! But i really love your videos and appreciate your help man!

Cheers and stay safe man!

very good info, but dragging presentation. thanks for the great info.

Got 2021 RAV4 XLE AWD with flat cad $1500 discount and which is almost $3000 plus difference compared to XLE Hybrid .... no discount on Hybrid as on demand ..... So far happy with the purchase ....For me 8 speed transmission is better driving experience than CVT on hybrid .....

Thanks Marcello. Valuable info before a purchase.

I just got a gasoline model 2021 RAV4 XLE PREMIUM Trim. I can’t complain on gas mileage and power, and I drive about 43 miles round trip, here in Southern California. I love Toyota!

Keep going.