Toyota RAV4 Hybrid MPG & CO2 emissions
Fuel economy can vary depending on the sort of driving you do, but the Toyota RAV4's CO2 emissions are impressively low
| Model | Fuel Economy | CO2 emissions |
| 2.5-litre FWD | 48-50mpg | 126-130g/km |
| 2.5-litre AWD-i | 48-49mpg | 131-132g/km |
While the RAV4 Hybrid may boast better fuel economy and lower emissions than most similarly sized SUVs, it can’t beat the plug-in hybrid RAV4 on either point. Still, around town the RAV4’s hybrid powertrain will save fuel when it can run on electric power alone. Plus, its lower CO2 emissions means savings for company-car drivers on their BiK (Benefit-in-Kind) tax bills.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid MPG & CO2
Official figures vary depending on whether you go for front or four-wheel drive, and what wheel size you choose, but the average economy figure only ranges from 48 to 50mpg, so you can count on something in the region of 50mpg as the best-case scenario whichever one you go for. When we tested the front-wheel-drive car, we managed around 40mpg on the motorway, while sedate around-town driving saw that creep up to 45mpg and more, as this slow-speed stuff is where the RAV4 can make best use of its electric running.
CO2 emissions vary, too: 126g/km for the front-wheel-drive car on 17-inch wheels and up to 132g/km in the top trim level. The four-wheel-drive version emits 131-132g/km depending on the trim level. Company-car drivers stand to make big savings on their Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) bills compared to a petrol or diesel SUV of similar size to the RAV4.
The RAV4's economy will be at its best if you do mostly urban driving, giving the hybrid motor's batteries a chance to recharge as you slow down and brake. Gentle use of the accelerator when moving away and when in stop-start urban traffic will also ensure you maximise the RAV4's electric range.
If you want a hybrid SUV, but don't need something as big as the RAV4, it's worth bearing in mind the Toyota C-HR can hit almost 58mpg. The RAV4 comfortably beats its more direct rival the Honda CR-V Hybrid, though; the latter only returned 41mpg in official testing. Also consider that plug-in hybrid rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and MINI Countryman Cooper S E will offer far more pure electric running if you can plug them in, although the flipside is that they'll be much less efficient than the RAV4 when their petrol engines are running.
