Toyota RAV4 2020 review: Cruiser hybrid AWD off-road test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ส.ค. 2024
- Do you want a mid-size SUV that looks nice, drives well, has impressive fuel economy and will help you single-handedly save the world? (Well, that last claim is not entirely accurate but, at this point in the history of the world, every little bit helps.)
Meet the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD hybrid.
We’ve reviewed the new RAV4 in terms of (mostly) on-road characteristics and it’s impressed us but how does it perform when you get off the bitumen and the hybrid’s all-wheel drive capabilities are tested?
The Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD hybrid marks the real arrival of a very capable, very driveable hybrid SUV to our shores.
It’s bold and bulky - in a good way - but it’s also practical, refined, and it’s fun to drive.
It’s not a hard-core off-roader by any means, but it scores so highly as a light-duty off-roader because it’s supremely well-suited to life in the city or suburbs and is quite a capable all-wheel drive vehicle if you’re sticking to bitumen or well-maintained gravel and dirt tracks on your trips, with a very occasional foray into only slightly tougher territory than that.
Most of all, the RAV4 is a nice blend of efficiency, comfort and day-to-day useability and driveability.
Read Marcus's full review: carsgui.de/2oQ9Xqh
Visit our Toyota RAV4 hub: carsgui.de/2pS9RfH
Check out our Adventure Guide: carsgui.de/2AiMOOn
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Nice honest review. Thanks mate. From this review, took one for a test drive, that and many others, came back asked for the top cruser model, 8 month waiting list. I slapped down 2k depos, , now im counting the days.
Best car review I have seen in Australia. The car is not for for me, but got every detail I needed. You are the Boss!!! Thanks.
Did he mentioned about the horsepower?
Definitely an all-around vehicle. Jack of all, master of none. Very comfortable and practical daily driver and weekend warrior family car.
First of all great review. I agree with the comments that long wait kills the fun of ordering this car i'm waiting for mine expect it in February. as for snow, I have driven it in the French Alps in a snowstorm with snow tiers and it handled perfectly
Straight forward and concise review. Thanks.
Im getting over 600miles per tank... this thing is amazing. The epitome of hybrid technology.
Enjoyed the video
Had mine for 3 months now. Great vehicle. Have gotten up to 52mpgs.
Wow that's way higher than advertised
Yep... Ordered July 2019, delivery June-July 2020.
great video! 👍 I have the latest hybrid cruiser and it is awesome, this is coming from a fella who has driven holdens for the past 40 years! 🙂
Do you feel it has enough power?
Well it would be awesome compared to Holdens.
Honest video. Thanks. I ordered my 2021 Cruiser AWD hybrid in Feb. Expected mid July. I can’t wait.
good luck with that!
@@dickvandenbosch6807
With getting it in July?
I now have tracking details from Toyota with production scheduled for May and estimated collected at the end of June. 😁
Great car to have here in Finland, too...goes off road very well... with BF Goodrich All Terrain ;)
Ordered the 2022 RAV4 Edge Hybrid AWD Atomic Rush with Orchid Brown/Light grey interior. Delivery in March.
Getting mine soon. Ordered mid August 2019. Deliver early Feb 2020.
How has it been so far?
Really interested in this vehicle
Well done mate's
A very impressive vehicle the sooner they do a truck version or a ute version as we call them the better.
The drivetrain is fairly advanced the engine uses the Atkinson cycle for example.
The gearbox also has a few tricks up it's sleeve as a CVT.
And the Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are actually more robust and a little bit safer than lithium-ion.
A rear waveloc type of lsd in the AWD version of the RAV4 would make sense.
😎👍
Just snagged one today. I really love it. Only concern like you said is the battery life for the awd but i like the extra power it gives. Wish it would engage recharge faster
Your only concern should be mpg, the awd will always work as intended regardless of battery charge. The engine will kick in to recharge the battery. Ive had instances where I hear the engine on to charge the battery but the electric motors are the ones propelling the vehicle
am looking for Toyota Hybrid Prime 2021 so am waiting a bit...If not coming to Australia I'll get Subaru Forester
Are we getting the RAV4 Black Edition here in Australia? I believe this is already launched in US and in Europe already.
Pls use same off roading trail with CRV
Hi there, I am a surfer in NZ who is looking for a nice looking vehicle that will be fuel efficient and handle some off road (reasonably difficult terrain with holes and rocks sticking up) and a bit of beach work but 99% of my driving is on normal roads. I have been looking at a new 2021 Hilux SR5 Cruiser or the RAV4 Hybrid AWD, can you think of any better brands/models? Great reviews by the way, keep up the good work! P>S the new Cruiser looks like it would fit like a glove for me but I am a bit hesitant about the fuel consumption when something like the C-HR uses half as much! Also, have you guys thought about offering a category on your website of 5/5 vehicles? Cheers
Why they gave gloss black above fenders to the USA and not Europe?
Just bought one, month to wait
Well maintained gravel roads in dry conditions;-like a normal car!
How would it survive driving on the beach?
I am dying to get mine sooner rather than later. Ordered one in June and because of these Covid 19 restrictions only God knows when I will be driving it. Scheduled to arrive in Oz on the 24th August 2020 but like I said Toyota won't be open to deliver.... grrrr
How does it drive in snowy/icy conditions?
We've ordered one....Cruiser, Hybrid, awd...with a tow bar!
Plz tell hybrid vs Rav4 simple
great all rounder, no wonder holden got stomped
TFL actually found Trail mode to be worse on the diagonal test than just the regular mode
I tried it in Trail, Normal and Sport, across a different set of ruts (slightly shallower, not filmed), just to see. Result: wheelspin. It's a nice drive in pretty much every other respect. Thanks for watching and commenting. - Crafty
Well, this is a great car but 7 months waiting period kills me
So I got lucky. In my country the shop had many in stock when I bought mine. Delivery just after the order and paperwork.
If you don't desperately want the Cruiser, or don't want AWD, then I've seen them in stock in Brisbane with no wait.
Diecast Beast : still u r lucky. I have moved to USA only 2 months ago from my country Nepal. I don’t know what business I should do here. And still i love this car. Now imagine when will i finally get one of my own.
It has an ECVT not cvt. Big difference.
what does the mileage to empty give you when you filled up full tank?
From the dealership filled its saying about 600 mile range
Any news on the RAV4 Prime to Oz.
It is not happening .....like other things we are not worth it.
That's a sunroof a moon roof takes up most of the ròof with glass that open at least 50%.
Mmh not quite, i have had and have Lexus cars, Lexus calls a standard size sunroof a ‘moonroof’, you’re referring to a panoramic sun roof 😉
Please tell us about spare tyre?
Did you even watch? 2:30
Test driving one tomorrow. Worried about road and wind noise....
Same worries here, how did your test drive end? Is it noisy or no? Don't have the option of test drive where I live
@@mallouk Was fine for me personally! Took it up the freeway to test at higher speeds. I've ordered one :)
I think Toyota should have tested the 4 x 4 hybrid waters with this. Had a model in the rav linup with more ground clearance, suspension, tyres. bit stronger underneath, maybe a gear box to suit. Toyota want to take Hi Lux and Landcruiser to hybrid, this RAV would have been the perfect guinea pig. Good review Crafty 👍
Hi Greg, yep, I agree - surely developing off-road-capable hybrids and EVs asap is among car manufacturers' lofty goals. Thanks for watching, mate, and thanks for commenting too. Appreciate you taking the time. - Crafty
Electrified Hilux is coming - so much for that “war on the weekend” nonsense at the last election...
@@carsguide Crafty, something is bugging me about this petrol/hybrid future of the Toyota Hi lux and Cruiser models. If sand driving drains the battery too fast in the RAV, then future for Toyota selling hybrid 4 x 4's to South East Queenslanders (where I am) who spend their holidays on Fraser Island, Morton Is, Teewah beach etc is doomed. And they sell a lot of them here.
Greg Wallace It’s not going to be an overnight shift, and you’ll still be able to buy diesel for such niche uses like that for a while yet. They’ll just be very expensive, you need to pay for the right to pollute so much.
By then though I imagine there will be a solution sorted. Probably just a much bigger battery pack for the hybrid system.
When did sunroofs become moon roofs?
When you are driving at night.
What are the tow ratings reform the rest of the range, are they equally as pitiful? I think it’s more to the ugly side but for a hybrid they’ve contained the weight well and economy is pretty handy for a flying brick looking thing.
Lowest is 480kg (unbraked, 2WD hybrid variants), and it tops out at 1500kg (braked, AWD). It looks pretty good in the metal, maybe the camera's not kind to it. Thanks for watching and commenting, mate. - Crafty
Yes to the pitiful tow ratings then, I’ve seen a few now and remain hoo hum on the look, I’ve seen worse, a lot worse but it’s not a vehicle I’m ever gonna look back at feel thrilled about in any way but that not say it doesn’t have it’s impressive point, just not sure those would matter enough to me to purchase it over other options
@@NZsarge1In our one it tows well. After going up a hill while towing a decent trailer for a few minutes then the battery goes flat and the engine resorts to revving to try and make enough power to keep going up the hill. Towing is not exactly what Toyota had in mind (as everywhere apart from NZ/AUS you can't even get a towbar) but it does the job very well.
I don't think it would have sold too well over here without a towbar option. We would not have gotten one otherwise
@@NZsarge1 Couldn't disagree more about the looks. I think it's easily the best looking car in the segment it competes in. Each to their own, I guess.
@@Verbfn As you say each to their own, definitely not my cup of tea
How is it on the Moon, mate? It belongs as much on the Moon as it does off-road. It’s an on-road car. Will you be testing a Camry off-road as well then?
Also, it doesn’t have a CVT. It has an eCVT. That’s completely different type of a transmission than a CVT - no chains or belts or pulleys.
Consider relaxing ting bit...
Some people will use it for occasional "off-road" and they just want to know where the limit is. They just want to know if RAV4 can manage few minutes of harder environment on their way for camping, finishing.... I encounter this type of environment every time I visit rural areas. Diagonal test happens often for me.
Also, there are people still living in rural areas. Not all of them want to spend huge amounts of money on a heavy BOF if new SUVs abilities will be enough for them. Having an AWD hybrid, or better PHEV, makes sense for anyone who lives up in the mountains. Fuel costs savings will be big enough to cover the cost difference. One of the reasons I'm interested in this car.
I had the same thoughts about the eCVT - that should be mentioned. Just adding a word "electrical" before CVT sorts it out.
Waldemar Ishibashi Except this video didn’t do any of that and wasn’t intended to. It was intended to prove that the Rav4 isn’t a car made for off-road trails. Well DUH!
No. This video could have been on unpaved dirt roads that this car was intended to be on or in the snow (though that’s hard to come by in Australia.) Now he mentions all that, but then proceeds to take it where it clearly doesn’t belong, and even there, the car gets through it, despite the constant criticism.
@@valdius85 I put a deposit down for the AWD only after I convinced the dealer to for him and myself to go to my fishing spot that my diesel gets to, its north of Perth so a combo of limestone gravel then sand switching back and forth, it handled it just as well and the demo hybrid had road tyres and my old diesel RAV has all terrain tyres. Allot of unsealed roads dry loose mostly so yeah you make good points.
Whenever a tuber say hit subscribe and give a like, I do the opposite because they must think we are idiots and hard up for subscribers. The best channels never say that!
NiMH batteries? Who other than Toyota uses such antiquated battery technology?
If Toyota used decent battery technology the RAV4 would have a more acceptable EV only range (Toyota quoted 60km, but its more like 30km).
Also NiMH batteries degrade very quickly.
This car is not an offroaders it an suv.it dies not have 4 wheel drive. It a on AWD.
Seriously Toyota no hill descent control?
Joshua Schubert Not an off-road car.
@@afcgeo882 I know but it should be mandatory equipment, on ALL cars
Joshua Schubert why? The vast majority of cars don’t climb hills that need it and you can still use the brakes yourself.
George L using the brakes on steep descents wear the brakes easier and the wear on the brakes can be dangerous
Joshua Schubert If the incline is very steep and you do it constantly, absolutely, but over 99% of cars don’t do that, EVER, so again, why should they ALL have that? Off-road capable vehicles already do. If you need one of those, get one. It’s like demanding that all city buses be able to go 300kph just because some race cars can.
Mine a 3rd gen and seems I've more ground clearance
Roughie king You definitely do not.
@@afcgeo882 yes I do u idiot
Roughie king no, YOU are the idiot here. The Gen III Rav4 has 7.5” (191mm) of ground clearance. Gen IV had 6.3” (160mm). This Gen V Hybrid has 8.1” (205mm).
@@afcgeo882 I think your bit drunk there little boy lol
WTF, 45,000!!! seriously, wtf.
How much should it be?
That system not good if we wanna say AWD . Their is no rear DIFFERENTIAL or Propelled Shaft . Anyway nice view bro 👌🏽
There is a rear differential but it is just not powered by the front engine directly. Its no biggy though. In most situations the rear electric motor has enough power
Reuben Horner I understand you but the fact not like normal cars with real diff . This Electric motor work as Diff . But many videos I see the car almost front wheel drive on snow specially.
@@gladiatoralmousa5689 The car will put down up to 50 horse to the rear I believe. They under drive the rear as most drivers would have no idea what to do if the car started oversteering on them haha
To the reviewer: this hybrid system has no mechanical connection between engine and wheels
I think you need to familiarize yourself with how the whole eCVT business works. The rear mounted battery is for all of the wheels. In the front, there is no ordinary CVT, instead it has no belt and uses two electric motors attached to a power split device (in toyota-speak). This is how it allows the engine to create battery power, power on the ground or in the reverse or a combination of them all
th-cam.com/video/3xeyqGcfb8M/w-d-xo.html
Apart from that, this video is extremely interesting and informative. Seems many people in the comments need to realize this is not to be a replacement Highlander or other 4WD lol
Reuben Horner The power split device in the linked Toyota video does show a belt though. Certainly different method of operation to other CVT’s but I’m not sure if the belt in Toyota’s power split device would be any more reliable?
I have a 2001 Rav4 awd manual and would destroy this particular, eats these roads for breakfast and definitely can do even more, i work at Toyota but im quite disappointed with how they didn't pay much attention on their AWD off road abilities and concentrated more on the Land cruisers and Hiluxes
It’s because almost no one will ever take this model off road.
Please respect the Australian driving public Toyota ... release this car, and the Alphard and Vellfire.
Australia is not Japan's subsidiary.
Thankyou Toyota, pls act for us ... not for petrol companies. HBC711.
It is 2019 model
If this is the 2020 version I didn't see a single difference from the 2019.
@@kevenfitzsimmons7191 the 2020 version has not been released yet. It's supposed to be exactly the same, except android auto and apple car play will be available for the 2020 version
A bit rude at 1.15 mate, unnecessary. In the end a good review. You told me I should like the styling, I do.
Reports disclose that the 2019 and 2020 Toyota RAV4 hybrids have defective gas tanks that will not fill to full
capacity. Viewers please check out TH-cam complaints about this problem. Major
news networks reported that the car dealers are not informing customers about the
defective gas tank before the car is purchased.
I test drove one today that the fuel gauge showed a full tank. Wonder how they did that if they are defective?
That issue is only in the US and it's not due to the vehicle itself alone, it's a combination of the type of pumps they have in the US and the gas tank design. Here in Australia and in the UK it's not an issue filling the tank.
@@johnlambert1744 John Lambert is incorrect. Please read the following :SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP announces its filing of a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. ("Toyota") for its sale of 2019/2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles (the "RAV4s") with defective fuel tanks. The lawsuit filed on January 15, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeks monetary damages for purchasers and injunctive relief to prevent Toyota from selling the defective RAV4s.Toyota advertises and represents that the RAV4's fuel tank capacity is 14.5 gallons, and based on its 40 mpg rating, the RAV4's range should be 580 miles. However, according to news reports, customer complaints, and numerous reports filed by drivers with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the RAV4's fuel tank does not fill to the advertised capacity. Drivers report that the advertised 14.5 gallon tank will only accept 9-11 gallons. As a result, the RAV4's actual mileage range is approximately 380 to 440 miles, well below the estimated 580 range.
@@62Sketch John Lambert is incorect. Please read the following :SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP announces its filing of a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. ("Toyota") for its sale of 2019/2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles (the "RAV4s") with defective fuel tanks. The lawsuit filed on January 15, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeks monetary damages for purchasers and injunctive relief to prevent Toyota from selling the defective RAV4s.Toyota advertises and represents that the RAV4's fuel tank capacity is 14.5 gallons, and based on its 40 mpg rating, the RAV4's range should be 580 miles. However, according to news reports, customer complaints, and numerous reports filed by drivers with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the RAV4's fuel tank does not fill to the advertised capacity. Drivers report that the advertised 14.5 gallon tank will only accept 9-11 gallons. As a result, the RAV4's actual mileage range is approximately 380 to 440 miles, well below the estimated 580 range.
@@ikescomments1931 I've been told my the RAV4 Australian FB group that it's not affecting Australia delivered models. I have not read about one single owner here that's having this issue sorry guys.
When have offroaders required hill descent control sorry but only inexperienced offroaders require that.
We where brought up on land rover and Toyota without such things
How can anyone envision 4600 MMs? I hate metric.
Cause you do not understand it :)
Similar when someone talks inches and feet. :-)
U just told me not to drive it to snow...
No, I didn't tell you not to drive it in snow - I just didn't mention snow. An AWD like this should be able to handle well-maintained roads/tracks in light snow conditions, with snow chains on where legally required, but I'd drive very conservatively and to suit the conditions. Thanks for watching and commenting. - Crafty
CarsGuide hi Marcus thanks for replying! That’s what I meant. If I can’t even handle non-well paved roads or some very wet environments. I won’t be able to do snow.... and I mention below I’d need snow chains, which felt like basically I can’t do snow.
I used to drive a forester and I will quite comfortably drive it to ski. So I’m guessing this is just a different purpose kind of car so don’t get this one if I’m the lazy kind who doesn’t wana do chains? Thanks would love your thoughts!
kp If chains are legally required and you’re too lazy to comply that’s your problem, not the car’s.
George L no it’s not. It’s not legally required to put chains if you drive an “AWD”. Question is - the review seem to imply that this is not a “proper” enough AWD to handle the snow?
kp The review is terrible. It clearly shows the RAV4 getting through every challenge, but the narrator makes assumptions that it wouldn’t be good at things. Based on what? Other reviewers have tested it on trails and in snow and it did just fine. Unless you’re plowing through 50+ cm of snow, it will easily tackle it. Most AWD vehicles today will. However, you may want proper winter tyres. The low-resistance all-seasons it comes with are not good in the snow. They’re for getting good fuel economy.
these type of cars are next to useless offroad with out of control speed and
skidding, they need to rethink the whole approach to offroad and go for simpler 4wd systems
its like its a super sophisticated system but way worse than a 4wd standard with low range 1990s style. which was probably
cheaper and stronger and more effective.
looking at video below i wouldnt trust any of them offroad unless you want to end up in a ditch.
they just dont make simple better cheap smaller 4wds any more.
would i be happy to go alone down a 4wd in an rav4, with spinning high revs wheels, short answer no.
ditto if i was rockhopping, the drivers not in control. sometimes the wheels just spin and no progress made
the choice modern car companies give you is this or proper big 4wd but nothing else kinda sucks for the price.
you do get the feeling the drive train is being torn apart.
th-cam.com/video/QDEKrkgfs8Y/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/aowtntF6KlY/w-d-xo.html
took 5 of the 8 1/2 minutes to get to an actual off-road. A bit slow to get to the point.
I'd love one of these. I took my lifted 2WD Prius wearing all terrains into the Outback. Most recently I've taken it to the tip of Cape York during our wet season (crazy): th-cam.com/video/YD8mlwVFohs/w-d-xo.html
Pure advertisement.
This seemed like an apology video for why the Hybrid has poor offroading abilities. This is more FWD and inferiormtomthe Adventure AWD system. Simple
Blake Swan Poor? I didn’t see footage of any challenge it didn’t handle, so how is it poor?
TRUMP 2020 🇺🇲🇦🇺
HA!
That worked well, hey? #facepalm