Proving that a car doesn’t have to be small to maximise the potential of Toyota’s hybrid technology, the RAV4 Hybrid was singled out in the 2021 What Car? Awards for giving the best True MPG around town. RAV4 Hybrid fuel economy was put through the publication’s tough trials and used even less fuel than the Yaris Hybrid on urban routes.
“The RAV4 debunks the myth that large SUVs are gas guzzlers because when we put it through our True MPG test, its urban fuel economy was 10mpg higher than the next best car (91.9mpg compared to Yaris in second place),” said What Car? editor Steve Huntingford.
Exclusively available as a hybrid in the UK, the RAV4’s new 2.5-litre engine combines fuel and emissions efficiency and quiet operation with more power and greater responsiveness.
Need hints on how to drive a hybrid efficiently? Click here
The full system maximum output of 219bhp/163kW in the all-wheel drive model (215bhp/160 kW with front-wheel drive) compares to 195bhp/145kW for the fourth-generation model, signalling how Toyota’s latest self-charging hybrid technology is not lacking in strength; acceleration from rest to 62mph takes just 8.1 seconds (FWD model).
The 2.5-litre hybrid engine is a completely new unit that makes significant advances on its predecessor, delivering a better balance between fuel economy and power and achieving world-class thermal efficiency.
The engine adopts the Atkinson cycle and features a longer stroke than its predecessor – 87.5 x 103.4mm compared to 90.0 x 98.0mm. It also operates at a higher, 14.0:1 compression ratio (compared to 12.5:1 for the previous unit). It is equipped with D-4S direct and indirect fuel injection and intelligent variable valve-timing – electric VVT-iE for the intake and hydraulic VVT-i for the exhaust. The valve-timing range for both intake and exhaust has been increased.
Even greater efficiency is in store for the RAV4 range in 2021 with the introduction early this year of the new RAV4 Plug-in. The new flagship of Toyota’s hybrid vehicle line-up and the most powerful RAV4 yet made, it will deliver rival-beating performance all-round with 302bhp, 282.5mpg, 22g/km CO2 emissions and 46 miles EV all-electric driving range (WLTP data).
All information is correct at the time of publishing.
Can you please explain clearly about MPG of Toyota RAv 4 Hybrid.
1. Hybrid will function at what level of speed. Hope up to 40 miles.
2.Out of the hybrid speed, is the vehicle runs both petrol and Hybrid. Then how much is the combined MPG and it is the how much speed limit
while running purely petrol how much is the Mpg.
Hi Thomas,
We currently offer the RAV4 Hybrid (not a plug-in) and the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (a plug-in).
The RAV4 Hybrid has a WLTP fuel economy figure of between 47.8 and 50.4 mpg depending on specification. Fuel economy figures may vary in real world conditions. The vehicle has a smaller battery and can go into EV mode at speeds above 40mph, but the length of time it will spend in EV mode depends on a number of factors. Around half the journey time will be spent in EV mode.
The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has a WLTP fuel economy of 282.4 mpg. It can travel up to 46 miles in electric mode because it has a much bigger battery than the RAV4 Hybrid. Even when the large plug-in battery runs out, it reverts to operating like the vehicle above. More on the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid here: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-rav4-plug-in-our-new-flagship-hybrid/
Thanks
I just bought the Toyota hybrid. Rav 4 what’s the economy like
Hi Umran,
Congratulations on your new car and thanks for choosing Toyota. The RAV4 Hybrid has a WLTP fuel economy figure of 47.8-50.4mpg depending on specifitaion.
Thanks
I have had the rav4 since November 2020 and am getting 52mpg overall. Couldn’t be happier.
Hi Bob,
We’re really pleased to hear that and wish you many more happy miles.
Thanks
When fuel economy is giving it always seems to be combined.
How does the Rav4 Hybrid FWD perform on the motorway only, how many MPG say sitting at 60 or 70 MPH for say 2 or 3 hours?
Thanks, i am close to buying one but need this answered. Its the Dynamic model.
Hi Alan,
We are legally obliged to provide figures from the WLTP test. Within that test, vehicles are driven at 60mph. The figure the RAV4 Hybrid FWD achieves is 57.65mpg for a low specification model and 54.32mpg for a high specification model. The difference is due to weight of extra equipment and bigger wheels etc on higher spec models.
These figures still aren’t 100% representative of real world driving. It is impossible for them to take into account the myriad of external factors experienced by different people on their various journeys all the around the country.
We recommend a test drive, with some motorway driving included on the route, to see for yourself.
You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/forms-v2/forms?tab=pane-dealer
52 mpg on motorway and 55 to 65 on urban journeys. It uses less fuel than my wife’s 1.0 Fiesta.
Hello,
Can I use super unleaded petrol in my 2021 RAV4?
As I’m finding the new E10 fuel is causing significant MPG figures to tumble ( around 10% ) for the same journeys.
Kr
John
Hi John,
Your RAV4 can use Super Unleaded.
Thanks.
I am planning on buying a Rav 4 self charging Hybrid this week.but I am puzzled by the mpg figures and I wonder if you could answer my question. I have a3 mile journey to work. And then I deliver meals to the elderly all around our rural area. I make many stops. Shutting down the engine each time. Each stop is around 15 minutes and sometimes the distance is up to 8 miles each way. I rarely go over 40 mph only on one journey of 8 miles with two stops as described. Does the way the RAV4 EV charge mean that I will be doing most of my daily journeys fully EV…and is there a figure for how many miles you can run in EV mode if you keep to under 40mph?
Hi Stella,
Thanks for getting in touch, and for your interest in the RAV4 Hybrid.
It is impossible for us to predict exactly how long a RAV4 Hybrid will stay in EV mode for individual customers, because there are so many variables.
They are not designed to stay in EV mode for prolonged periods, but you can expect them to spend over 50% of the time in EV mode on shorter stop start journeys.
If you want a vehicle that spends prolonged or more significant periods of the journey ‘locked’ in EV mode, we’d recommend the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, which has a dedicated EV range of up to 40 miles.
We recommend trying a RAV4 Hybrid for yourself, to see how it performs. Let us know if we can help arrange that.
Thanks
I filled up with E5 fuel today (by accident!) and noticed fuel economy improved by 10 per cent. Is this likely to be coincidence (due to other factors) or could it be the effect of the change in fuel as I normally use E10? My driving style did not change as far as I am aware.
Hi Stephen,
It is difficult for us to say for sure, but we have read that E10 can have a negative impact on fuel economy!
Thanks
The new models seem to fair better than my 2018 hybrid. Motorway driving delivers 42mpg at best and urban only around 32mpg. Electric never kicks in above 40mph and when it does, the slightest touch on the gas knocks it off again. Will have to start saving up for an exchange.
Hi just been touring around Devon and Cornwall, Some motorway A roads B roads and some single track roads, my rav 4 awd hybrid returned 50, 6 mpg very pleased with my car and love driving in sport mode
Hi David,
Thank you very much for your kind words.
We are so pleased to hear that you are happy with your RAV4.
Thanks.
Hello there
I’m getting my rav4 hybrid 2020 which I liked so much when I test drove this week. I do 20 miles round trip the majority of which is urban driving. I was wondering which driving mode is better to use .I would be grateful for your advise I like to save on fuel .
Thanks
Hashim
Hi Hashim,
Thanks for your interest in the Rav4 Hybrid.
In order to maximise fuel consumption, you would be best to drive in Eco Mode.
This reduces the power of the Air Conditioning and the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal, meaning that less Petrol is utilised and that the car will stay in EV for a longer time period.
For further information on how to efficiently drive for the best fuel economy, you can read here – https://mag.toyota.co.uk/hybrid-driving-tips-for-best-fuel-economy/.
Thanks.
I have a 2021 rav4 hybrid all I cam say is wow mainly city driving and get between 56-60mph better than my ford kuga 1.5 dsl an a hell of a lot more comfortable,the finish in the rav4 sol is excellent a fantastic all round car/suv
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your lovely feedback.
We wish you many happy miles!
Thanks.