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In-depth reviews

Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid boot space & seating

While the plug-in model isn’t quite as practical as the standard Toyota RAV4, there’s still plenty of space for a growing family

Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Boot space, seating & practicality rating

4.0 out of 5

LengthWidthHeightBoot volume (seats up)
4,600mm1,855mm1,685mm520 litres

Whichever way you look at it, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid is a practical family car. While it’s not quite as spacious outright as the conventional Hybrid model, few families are going to groan at the layout and practicality this car offers.

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There are loads of places to store odds and ends throughout the cabin, and the boot is a decent size – complete with some underfloor storage for the cables. This is particularly pleasing, as the standard Hybrid model doesn’t get this – though the trade off in the PHEV is you’ll have to make do without a space saver spare wheel.

The back seats are accommodating – even for taller adults. You’ll get two child seats in the outer chairs, or three adults across the back, even with the front seats set up for those with long legs. Visibility is a plus point, too, aided further by the standard-fit reversing camera.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid interior space, storage & comfort

The Toyota RAV4 has always been a practical family SUV and nothing has changed with the addition of plug-in hybrid power. The back seats are a good size, meaning there’s even enough to sit three across the rear bench should you need to.

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But if you’re more concerned about carrying things rather than people, then that shouldn’t be a problem. There are lots of cubby holes and storage spaces, like a big bin between the front seats, decent door pockets and a good-sized glove box. The boot (below) is still a generous shape and size, despite losing some space when compared with the conventional RAV4 Hybrid.

Boot space

The boot is 60 litres smaller than the standard RAV4 Hybrid’s, but at 520 litres it’s still plenty big enough to function as a large family car. At least you get some under-floor storage for the two charge cables that you get as standard. The seats split and fold to reveal a big, square space, though Toyota is yet to reveal official boot capacity with the rear bench folded flat.

One point of potential annoyance is how slowly the standard-fit automatic tailgate opens. It’s painfully slow, and there’s no way of overriding it, unless you disregard mechanical sympathy and force it one way or the other. A small point for consideration, but a worthy one nonetheless.

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Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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