Toyota’s best-selling compact SUV enters its sixth generation with 236 hp hybrid power and 50 miles of plug-in electric range. The company claims this represents their most advanced RAV4 to date. But will hybrid-only pricing alienate budget buyers who helped make it America’s top seller, or will it secure the RAV4’s spot among Toyota’s top-rated SUVs, leaving weaker models further behind in the 2025 lineup of best and worst performers?
Three Distinct Personalities
The completely revamped RAV4 abandons its single design philosophy for three targeted variants. The family-oriented Core keeps things practical. Woodland adds all-terrain tires and skid plates for adventurers. The 320 hp GR Sport brings Gazoo Racing DNA to the crossover world.
Woodland Edition: Adventure-Ready Hardware
Real off-road capability replaces Instagram posturing in the Woodland trim. Those chunky all-terrain tires and 3,500-pound towing capacity suggest Toyota expects actual trail use. LED fog lights and reinforced underbody protection separate this from mere appearance packages that competitors peddle.
GR Sport Brings the Heat
Toyota’s performance division transforms the humble RAV4 into something genuinely quick. The distinctive grille channels cooling to the 320 hp plug-in hybrid system. Summer tires and track-tuned suspension reportedly deliver sharper handling than any previous RAV4 variant.
Interior Tech Finally Modernizes
The cabin ditches Toyota’s dated infotainment for a 12.3-inch digital cluster and optional 12.9-inch touchscreen. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. The “island” control layout improves ergonomics, though materials remain evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Performance Meets Practicality
The GR Sport packs serious acceleration while offering 50 miles of electric range. But at expected prices potentially exceeding $50,000, competitors like Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 deliver full electric powertrains. Real-world testing will determine if Toyota’s hybrid approach justifies the premium.
The Hybrid Gamble
Dropping gas-only models risks alienating price-conscious buyers. The hybrid’s 17 hp boost over previous generations seems modest. Toyota bets efficiency and refinement outweigh higher entry costs like a sensible parent choosing vegetables over TikTok-famous candy. With deliveries starting later this year, the market will render its verdict on this all-electrified strategy.
