One of the many reasons that the Toyota RAV4 is at the top of its vehicle segment is that it has a long history of dependability. What about the RAV4 Hybrid? Is the hybrid version of the popular small SUV reliable, or does it have major mechanical issues?

What problems do Toyota RAV4 Hybrids have?

The RAV4 Hybrid isn’t a particularly problematic small SUV. Fuel system problems have been the most consistent issue in the last seven model years.

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The worst RAV4 Hybrid problem documented on CarComplaints.com is an issue regarding the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model year. A total of 16 different RAV4 Hybrid owners complained about the 2019 model’s inability to hold the vehicle’s full 14.9-gallon fuel tank capacity.

The inability to fill the RAV4 Hybrid’s tank to its advertised capacity is a huge issue. That being said, it’s an issue that Toyota has clearly improved on. Only seven owners complained about an inability to fill the 2020 model year’s fuel tank.

The 2021 and 2022 RAV4 Hybrid model years have less than five total complaints listed on CarComplaints.com. So, buying a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid probably isn’t the best idea if there’s even a small chance of the small SUV having a fuel system issue. Instead, go for a newer RAV4 Hybrid to reduce the risk of reliability issues.

What are the disadvantages of owning a hybrid?

Hybrid powertrain systems are newer and more complex than internal combustion engines. This often means that a vehicle with a hybrid powertrain has a higher likelihood of reliability issues. Hybrid vehicles are also more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts.

Hybrid tech may still be relatively new to the automotive industry, but Japanese automaker Toyota is a pioneer when it comes to hybrid vehicles. The Toyota Prius was one of the first-ever mass-produced hybrid vehicles. Years later, Toyota’s portfolio is filled with hybrid vehicles. Nearly every popular Toyota model has a hybrid powertrain option or counterpart.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Sequoia, and Toyota Sienna all benefit from advances in hybrid technology. The advantages of owning a RAV4 Hybrid outweigh the usual disadvantages of hybrid vehicle ownership. The Japanese automaker arguably produces the best hybrid vehicles in the industry.

Is the RAV4 Hybrid self-charging?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid does not have an electric-only driving range. The RAV4 Prime PHEV is the only iteration of the RAV4 that features a rechargeable battery.

Toyota’s small hybrid SUV uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. It cannot be recharged using a charging station. The hybrid SUV is reliant on gasoline, like internal combustion engine vehicles. The RAV4 Hybrid may not be as efficient as a PHEV, but it’s the next best thing.

Read more about Toyota’s plug-in hybrid small SUV, the Toyota RAV4 Prime, in the next article below.