Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2019 review: GXL 2WD

As a guide, RAV4s cost between about $30k and $49k, so the RAV4 GXL 2WD Hybrid with its list price of $38,140 sits at the mid-point of the range.

Standard features on the GXL Hybrid include LED headlights, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, sat nav, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a wireless charger, six-speaker stereo, rear privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, proximity key, premium fabric seats, roof rails and 18-inch alloys wheels.

At the centre of the cabin is a 8.0-inch touchscreen.

The petrol version of the GXL 2WD costs $2500 less but think of the fuel savings. Well, we’ll get to the fuel economy further down.

As for the RAV4 GXL Hybrid’s rivals, there's really only the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

See, while there are many mid-sized SUVs out there, such as the Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Hyundai Tucson, you can’t have those with anything other than a combustion engine only.

Each week I road test a new car and together with my family we use it to do all the things you probably do with yours – school drops off, shopping, commuting, weekends away, that kind of thing.

With that real-world use, it doesn’t take long to see just how practical the week’s test car is. How did the RAV GXL Hybrid 2WD stack up?

Highlights are the boot, cabin storage, legroom and utilities such as USB ports.

The cargo capacity is large at 580 litres, the load lip is low, the opening is wide and tall.

With the rear seats in place, boot space is rated at 580 litres.

There’s also great cabin storage in the form of a shelf above the glove box with a grippy rubber surface for wallets and purses, a deep centre console box, a large area in front of the shifter, plus two cupholders up front and two in the back.

For charging and media you’ll find five USB ports, a wireless pad and a 12-volt outlet.

As far as people space goes, there’s stacks of room. Even at 191cm tall I can sit behind my driving position with about 20mm to spare. Headroom is also excellent back there.

Entry in and out could be better, while the doors are tall and wide, they don’t open as far out as a Nissan X-Trail’s or Mazda CX-5’s.

Powering the GXL Hybrid 2WD is a 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor with a combined power output of 160kW. Torque from the combustion engine alone is 221Nm.

A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) sends drive to the front wheels.

Combining an electric motor with a 2.5-litre petrol engine results in 160kW of power.

Braked towing capacity of the 2WD Hybrid RAV4 is 480kg. The AWD Hybrid can do 1500kg, so keep that in mind if you have visions of pulling boats or caravans.

There’s a reason why you’re looking at the hybrid version of the RAV4: petrol consumption. Whether it’s because you want to be environmentally kind or save money, it’s all about using less petrol.

I spent a week in the GXL Hybrid 2WD and covered approximately 160km. My fuel test was mainly on urban roads where I typically see higher fuel usage.

I used 6.2L/100km of the recommended 91 RON unleaded which is outstanding, even if the claimed (combined cycle) fuel economy figure is 4.7L/100km.

The RAV4 GXL 2WD Hybrid is covered by Toyota’s five-year/unlimited km warranty, and this can be extended to seven years if you get logbook servicing from an authorised Toyota dealer.

Speaking of which, servicing is needed every 12 months or 15,000km and is capped at $210 per visit.