2023 Toyota RAV4 versus 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: Which Version of Toyta’s Popular Crossover is Right for You?

The Toyota RAV4 has been a bestselling crossover in Canada for decades now, and the trend looks to continue with the 2023 Toyota RAV4 and its RAV4 Hybrid sibling. Both offer compelling reasons to consider them for your next family-moving crossover, but which of these popular CUVs is best suited for you?

Hybrid Power and Capabilities

Not only does the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid offer improved fuel economy (it uses 5.8L/100 km of fuel in the combined cycle at LE level, while the non-Hybrid RAV4 LE uses 7.9L/100 km) but it is the more powerful of the two vehicles, producing 219 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque to the standard RAV4 LE AWD’s 203 hp and 185 lb-ft. The Atkinson cycle hybrid system is a big contributing factor here, as is the continuously-variable automatic transmission the Hybrid gets. It provides smoother, more efficient progress than does the RAV4’s eight-speed automatic but if you’re looking for a slightly more involved drive – one that feels a little more traditional – then the eight-speed automatic is worth considering. 

If you plan on using your RAV4 for towing, then the Hybrid could be the choice for you as it can tow 1,750 pounds to the standard RAV4’s 1,500 pound limit, depending on spec.

While you’ll be saving at the pump with the Hybrid, you’ll be saving at the dealer with the non-Hybrid 2023 RAV4 as it starts at $35,635, about $2,200 less than the starting price for the RAV4 Hybrid.

Impressive Space and Comfort

You may think that the Hybrid’s added components could suggest a decrease in interior room, but that simply is not the case as you’ll find nearly identical dimensions in both of these vehicles. The big draw here is the cargo space; cargo space is so important in this segment and often times it’s what suffers in the transition from full gas power to hybrid power. That’s not the case here, as both the Hybrid and standard models have a total of 1,977 litres of cargo space if you fold down the second row. If you choose to leave that in place, meanwhile, you’ve got 1,059 L of space in each – more than what’s on offer from the Mazda CX-5, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Nissan Rogue.

Generous Feature Availability

To keep occupants comfortable, both models come standard with heated front seats, but if you’re after a multi-zone climate control system, it’s the Hybrid that has a leg up as it offers that feature while the non-Hybrid model does not. A heated steering wheel can be added to both models, as can heated rear seats and cooled front seats. Both models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense that provides lane departure warning and lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert and there’s even adaptive cruise control.

Both the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and 2023 Toyota RAV4 are top-drawer options in the compact crossover sphere that are very tough to separate. The best way to do so is take each version for a drive, so come pay us a visit do we can help you make the right decision on your next compact crossover.