Buying a vehicle can be an intimidating process. There are various perks and disadvantages when buying new, and the same goes for buying used. One advantage of buying a used car is its depreciation. Most cars are prone to depreciation, losing about 20 percent in the first year. Of course, there are cases where it’s a supercar with a production run of 300 models that retains its value. In all seriousness, buying a used vehicle isn’t a bad financial decision, as some people make it out to be. A variety of car brands are known for offering large amounts of reliability that don’t cost an arm and a leg. One car manufacturer that is notorious for its heavy reliability and affordable pricing is Toyota.
If you’re trying to start your new year with a new (used) car, looking into some Toyota models is a great way to start. Toyota is known for many things, and in recent years, they started to offer affordable hybrids that offer the best bang for your buck. If you traveled back two years ago, you’d see models that are still part of ongoing generations, allowing you to step foot in a discounted hybrid that still offers what a new model would.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota and other authoritative sources, including FuelEconomy.gov and Edmunds.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Is The 2-Year-Old Hybrid SUV You Should Buy
The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid is a solid option for a two-year-old hybrid SUV. Toyota has always been a reliable car brand, but it wasn’t until the last seven to ten years that it really started to kick it into overdrive. If you’re new to the automotive world or extending your knowledge, you should know that the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV on the market today, although the hybrid model trails behind the CR-V Hybrid.
If you go back a year prior, you’ll see that the 2023 RAV4 was also the best-selling SUV. This is due to its versatility and possibly its multiple configurations. Toyota offers the RAV4 in three setups: non-electric (ICE), hybrid (HEV), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). If you want the best of both worlds, with characteristics from both the PHEV and ICE models, your safest bet is to go with the HEV.
A Used 2023 Model Will Cost You Around $28,000
The RAV4 Hybrid was and still is an affordable hybrid SUV. In 2023, Toyota offered the RAV4 Hybrid for $31,735 and went up to $38,530 on the top trim. According to KBB, the base trim averages around $28,642.
Some may think that if the 2025 RAV4 Hybrid costs a couple of grand more, why not go with that one? This is a good point, with the 2025 RAV4 Hybrid starting at $32,850, but if you’re on a budget and every dollar matters, then the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid is a perfect, affordable option. A perk to this is that the RAV4 Hybrid holds its value pretty well compared to other SUVs and their competition.
What A Dependable Hybrid Powertrain Looks Like
It’s easy to make a case for Toyota and its success with hybrids; after all, the Japanese car brand carries more than 10 hybrid vehicles in its lineup. The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid houses the same powertrain as the 2025 model: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Specifications
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Powertrain |
2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid Engine |
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Horsepower |
176 HP |
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Torque |
163 LB-FT |
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Transmission |
ECVT |
|
Driveline |
All-Wheel Drive |
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Fuel Economy (Combined) |
37-40 MPG |
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Range |
536-580 Miles |
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Max Towing Capacity |
1,750 LBs |
This powertrain utilizes an all-wheel-drive system, producing 176 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. If you’re keen on towing heavy loads with the RAV4 Hybrid, then you’ll be disappointed with its max towing capacity of 1,750 pounds. While it wasn’t designed as an SUV to handle some towing, it still offers enough to pull small trailers for cross-country trips.
The Hybrid SUV That Offers 580 Miles Of Range
Another area where the RAV4 Hybrid thrives in is fuel economy. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland edition offers a combined fuel economy of 37 MPG and a driving range of 536 miles. The rest of the trims offer an impressive driving range of 580 miles and a combined MPG of 40.
Toyota Offers A Trim For Everyone
Toyota offers seven trims on the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid. The first trim is the Hybrid LE, which showcases all of Toyota’s standard features at no additional cost. The Hybrid XLE builds off of the LE with additional features such as heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Next on the list is the Hybrid SE, which receives all the previous features of the other two models, with added performance features such as sport suspension, 18-inch black wheels, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
Toyota offers many features centered around adventure lifestyles, and the next trim, the Woodland Edition, capitalizes on this with its larger ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and off-road-tuned suspension. The XSE is similar to the SE because it offers a more sporty experience with even more features. The XLE Premium goes even further with the base XLE, with additional features such as 18-inch chrome wheels, fog lights, and a sunroof. For the last trim, the Limited, you get all the bells and whistles in terms of features that cost extra, such as ventilated seating, dark interior accents, and the 11-speaker JBL audio system.
The RAV4 Hybrid Was Designed For Adventures
There are a variety of Toyota models in the last three years that were designed to offer a way to hit the road and experience the world. Based on the trims above, it helps show what Toyota was aiming for when they stated that it was designed for adventures. If you take the Woodland trim, which receives an off-road transformation, it shows that this practical hybrid SUV will try and stop anything that gets in the way.
An Abundance Of Standard Features
Toyota is well-known for its abundance of standard features, and the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid will attest to that. The standard Toyota Audio Multimedia is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-inch multimedia screen comes standard but can be upgraded to a 10.5-inch display.
A new feature on the 2023 model is the 12.3-inch multi-information display. Because the RAV4 Hybrid was designed to be capable of taking long trips, Toyota implemented several small cargo areas and cubbies for all the storage. There is a lot to unpack when it comes to the standard features seen on the RAV4 Hybrid, and it is something you’d have to get your hands on for a couple of hours to explore.
The RAV4 Hybrid Faced Some Stiff Competition
The RAV4 Hybrid may be one of the best-selling SUVs in the last few years, but it goes up against heavy competition. Models such as the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Kia Sportage Hybrid. In the end, all models excel in their own fields, but it was the RAV4 that was the most successful in terms of sales. This is primarily thanks to Toyota’s constant advancements and dedication within the hybrid automotive industry.
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- Base Trim Engine
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1.6L Turbo Inline-4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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226 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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38/38 MPG
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- Base Trim Engine
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2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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212 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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179 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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40/35 MPG
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- Base Trim Engine
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2.4L Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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181 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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175 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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23/30 MPG