Toyota is no stranger to hybrid technology. The Japanese automaker has been dabbling in hybrid tech for decades. Toyota will eventually produce an entire portfolio of battery electric vehicles. Before the company produces several new EVs, it still has plenty of hybrid SUVs and truck ideas to crank out. The brand has some of the best hybrid offerings on the market, including a hybrid version of the best-selling Toyota RAV4 small SUV. Why is the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid so popular among consumers?

Why is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid so popular?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is popular because it’s affordable and has incredible fuel efficiency. The small hybrid SUV achieves 41 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The gas-powered RAV4 gets 31 miles per gallon combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid gets 8.5 more miles per gallon than the gas-powered RAV4. The Hybrid is able to travel for over 572 miles on a full tank of gas. The RAV4 only gets about 449 miles of driving range on a full tank. So, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gets about 123 more miles of driving range on a full tank than its gas-powered counterpart.

Toyota’s RAV4 is fuel-efficient, but the RAV4 Hybrid is on another level entirely. This fuel-sippin’ small SUV is perfect for commuting or long road trips. Kelley Blue Book praises its many standard safety features and roomy interior.

Do you really save money with a hybrid?

Hybrid vehicles save money at the pump because they’re able to use fuel more efficiently and maximize driving range. This means that drivers are able to travel further distances and ultimately refuel fewer times than they would with a gas-powered vehicle. That being said, fuel economy is the main determining factor when it comes to saving money at the pump. Some hybrid vehicles still have poor gas mileage.

If the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid were much more expensive than the gas-powered version, then its potential to save drivers money would be questionable. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid starts at $29,575. The RAV4 starts at $26,975. That’s a price difference of just $2,600.

The RAV4 Hybrid could potentially save drivers thousands of dollars on fuel depending on how long an owner chooses to keep the small hybrid SUV. RAV4 models are also known for their longevity, so the RAV4 Hybrid is worth the money.

Does a RAV4 Hybrid need to be plugged in?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid does not need to be plugged in. The Toyota RAV4 Prime, on the other hand, has an electric-only driving range that is replenished through charging. When the RAV4 Prime is fully charged it can travel for 42 miles on just electricity. Plug-in hybrid models use a combination of a hybrid engine and electric motors to get the most driving range possible.

What is better, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid?

Plug-in hybrid vehicles get more driving range than hybrid vehicles because they have electric-only driving range as well. PHEVs are more expensive than hybrids.

If you want the most driving range, a plug-in hybrid vehicle is the better choice. If affordability takes priority over driving range, then the hybrid vehicle is the better choice. Toyota offers both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations of the popular RAV4 nameplate.

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