In-depth reviews

Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid reliability & safety rating

Toyota regularly tops owner satisfaction surveys, with its ratings backed up by a comprehensive manufacturer warranty

Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Reliability & safety rating rating

5.0 out of 5

Euro NCAPAdult protectionChild protectionSafety assist
5 stars (2019)93%87%77%

Reliability and safety have long been Toyota strongholds, and the latest RAV4 looks set to continue that trend. The maker always finishes well in the Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, placing sixth in the 2020 edition; Toyota treats its customers well – with every model backed up by a five-year warranty. Safety is in no doubt, either, with all models faring well in Euro NCAP’s ever-more stringent crash tests. The latest RAV4 Hybrid is one of the safest cars the organisation has ever tested.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid reliability & problems

While it was Toyota’s sister company Lexus that topped the 2020 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, the Japanese giant still finished in a respectable sixth place overall. Just 6.6% of Toyota owners have experienced faults – by far the lowest of any manufacturer in the top 10 – with the biggest complaints concerning the cars’ infotainment systems.

While it’s too new to have featured in the 2020 survey, the RAV4 on which this plug-in version is based finished 12th overall in the top 75 cars rundown. Owners complimented their cars’ safety features (below), as well as practicality and running costs. Overall, it seems the RAV4 is a particularly satisfying car to run.

Safety

While the Plug-In Hybrid model hasn’t been evaluated by independent crash-test body Euro NCAP, the Hybrid version was awarded top marks back in 2019. It stormed near enough every category – earning a solid 93% for adult protection and a worthy 87% for child occupant protection.

Every version of the Plug-In Hybrid RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2, which brings a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assistance. These features helped the Hybrid to a 77% score in Euro NCAP’s safety assist section. All in, there are few family cars that will take such complete care of you and your family.

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