2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: AWD, Lotsa Space & More

The RAV4 has always been a family favorite, and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 compact hybrid is no exception.

Edmunds.com describes this year’s model as “uber popular”, and that is perhaps a bit of understatement.  The RAV4 was one of the first SUVs to hit the market and it’s been selling like hotcakes since. 

The drive is smooth, the interior is decent, and you can weave in and out of your urban life with minimal brain damage when you drive this classic.  

Just so you know, this is not a race car: Letting it rip on the highway may leave you feeling left behind yet grateful that someone else is getting a ticket for speeding. 

For starters, all 2025 RAV4 hybrid have what’s call Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (basically, it’s All-Wheel Drive).  Anymore, that is a lifesaver that cannot be overlooked.  If you are not drag racing this car (you really can’t, it’s not peppy enough), you really should have AWD. Currently, you should be able to get a brand-new RAV4 hybrid for just over $30K US, but of course, that price could skyrocket tomorrow.

Average mpg is 37, which is decent for the class. This model is a hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid, so you don’t have to worry about plugging it into your house; the recharging is done through the brakes – or something like that.  I don’t really know, I am not a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) kind of guy.  I am just great at schmoozing and witty impromptu banter at cocktail parties.

(And my command of the English Language ain’t bad either.)

Cargo space is decent for a compact SUV. There is almost 40 cubic feet of space when you leave the backseats up, and almost 70 cubic feet when you fold them down. Not that I tried, but you should be able to get several bulk packages of toilet paper, paper towels, kitchen products, cases of soda pop and a few nice big Fred Flintstone brontosaurus steaks back there.  And still perhaps have room to leave one backseat up for your animal or trained bear.

As always, climb in first to see how well you fit.  Remember, this is a compact SUV – and many of you (like me) are not compact.  We need lotsa room for all our manliness.

This month in August, Charlotte (North Carolina) Pride, Austin (Texas) Pride, Copenhagen Pride, Manchester Pride and even Reykjavik (Iceland) Pride are happening.  Yes, Gay Pride is still in air, along with a fair amount of climate change.  Time to dance as if everyone is watching, laugh as though what’s going on really is hilarious – and Love with a passion that only you possess. 

Have fun, stay hydrated, don’t burn. 

It will be frostier than Frosty the Snowman before you know it.