Toyota RAV4 Adventure hybrid review: my family is my rock

The Adventure might be the most singularly appealing of the impressively large sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 range. 

You'd have to throw the GR Sport into the conversation, of course; both models have unique styling and quite individual character traits. The GR Sport is a story for another day (PHEV power, fancy suspension) but for what it's worth, we reckon the Adventure tops the lineup for chunky looks and on-brand ambience; the off-roady vibe seems more RAV4-appropriate than motorsport-adjacent modification.

The Adventure specification was introduced back with the fifth-generation RAV4 in 2019. It was petrol-only then (despite that generation of RAV4 bringing hybrid power to the lineup in New Zealand for the first time) and didn't look a whole lot different to the standard model, but had some unique features like torque-vectoring AWD, special seats... and orange bits in the cabin.

It later evolved into a hybrid as Toyota NZ phased-out the combustion-only RAV4 completely, becoming mechanically much closer to the rest of the new-gen RAV4 cohort.

That's still true of the sixth-generation model featured here, but it now gets truly unique exterior styling: one of three looks for the RAV4 that also includes "core" with an ornate Lexus RX-like slotted grille (used for everything from the base GX to the posh Limited) and the gaping-mouth GR Sport.

On the outside: what are the Toyota RAV4 Adventure's main design features?

Toyota has been pretty clever with its trio of design packages across the range. The sheet metal is the same regardless of version, but there are different front bumpers/grilles and tweaks to plastic inserts like the pseudo-skidplate under the rear bumper.

It all works brilliantly for the Adventure. Up front, Toyota has taken a leaf from the Land-Rover-versus-Range-Rover styling playbook by emphasising width rather than height, and it looks much squarer and more substantial than other RAV4s.

You might be wondering which mainstream RAV4 model the Adventure is actually based on. The answer is... not a specific one.

The 18-inch wheels are suitably sized for the 4x4 look without looking puny (the Limited steps up to 20in). The Adventure only comes in five exterior colours, but the Urban Rock finish of our test car seems perfect. It's not exclusive to the Adventure.. but maybe it should be.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Toyota RAV4 Adventure cabin like?

The much more chunky (you might almost say Land Cruiser-like) cabin styling of the 6th-gen RAV4 plays into the Adventure vibe perfectly. The "island architecture" is full of layers and squared-off shapes; there's an excess of hard plastic, but this model takes the edge off with some very appealing soft trim inserts on the dahboard and doors.

Orange highlights are still a thing for the Adventure, but nothing like the garish trim in the previous version (not saying that was a bad thing, but it was very bright). It's seen most obviously in the bottom spoke of the steering wheel, on the centre-console storage bin lid (which opens left or right and can be flipped to form a shelf, clever) and the piping on the faux-leather seat upholstery.

Adventure is its own thing: it's one step up on the GXL, but doesn't quite hit the luxury heights of the Limited.

The few flashes of colour work well and give the Adventure cabin its own ambience, without needing drastic changes.

You might be wondering which mainstream RAV4 model the Adventure is actually based on. The answer is... not a specific one.

Adventure is its own thing, one step up on the GXL (larger 12.9in infotainment screen, more adjustment for the power seats) but doesn't quite hit the luxury heights of the Limited, which sports stuff like JBL audio and ventilation to go with the heated front seats.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Toyota RAV4 Adventure like to drive?

Mechanically, the Adventure is the same as any other RAV4 hybrid with E-Four AWD. So no, you're not getting clever extra tech like you did with the first-gen Adventure, but this is still arguably a much more capable machine in every respect.

Toyota's E-Four system is very familiar, but it's also worth a reminder that it's very clever. There's an electric motor up front, but another one at the back - which is in fact the only drive provided to the back wheels. There's no physical connection between the front and rear axles.

Toyota's E-Four technology works really well on-road and is capable enough off-tarmac, although many would argue it's not 'real' 4WD.

That's nice and simple and allows Toyota to offer both FWD on other models (just take away the rear motor) and AWD hybrids. It also means the rear axle can react very quickly indeed to changing traction conditions and the e-motor can make surprisingly subbtle adjustments.

It works really well on-road and is capable enough off-tarmac, although many would argue it's not "real" 4WD; Subaru borrows Toyota hybrid tech for its Forester, for example, but retains physical drive to the rear because it argues that's a more authentic way to handle the rougher stuff.

The fifth-generation hybrid system in the RAV4 has lost 20kW compared with the previous model, but acceleration is even stronger. It's staggeringly economical, with a very achieveable 5.1l/100km official fuel economy figure, although it'll cost you more to fill now because it needs 95-octane.

Overall, the Adventure feels really well-sorted. It rides well partly thanks to its 18-inch wheels (sportier RAV4s have 20-inch rims) and yet it also steers with authority. The driver-assists do their thing without being intrusive, and even when you get the odd annoyance, like the driver monitoring system being overly cautious, the prompts are discreet. 

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Toyota RAV4 Adventure warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle is covered for 3 years/100,000km, but extended to 5 years/150,000km if it's serviced at an authorised Toyota agent ("Platinum Warranty"). The high-voltage hybrid battery is covered for 8 years/160,000km.

Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Toyota RAV4 Adventure?

We're fans of the RAV4 in general, but especially fans of the Adventure. It has a distinctive look which goes hand-in-hand with the model's orgins as a groundbreaking crossover (yeah okay, that's going back quite a bit), it provides a good balance of price and equipment, and it's pleasing to drive without trying too hard to be sporty.

As an image leader, it would have been trempting for Toyota to take the Adventure even further upmarket and really load it up with equipment. We're kind of glad that didn't happen.

Toyota RAV4 Adventure FAQs

What kind of car is the Toyota RAV4 GX HEV FWD?

A medium-sized 5-door SUV.

Does the Toyota RAV4 GX HEV FWD have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a full hybrid.

What’s the fuel economy of the Toyota RAV4 GX HEV FWD?

It returns 5.1l/100km under NZ's 3P-WLTP protocol.

Is the Toyota RAV4 GX HEV FWD safe?

The RAV4 as sold here now has not been tested by ANCAP and will not be, pending several upgrades on the way to ensure the best results under a tougher 2026 testing protocol. Any rating applied to the vehicle when testing happens will apply to models from that date going forward only.

The current RAV4 has a 5-star rating under NZ's VSRR system.

What safety and assistance features does the Toyota RAV4 Adventure have?

What are the Toyota RAV4 Adventure's main rivals?

• Nissan Navara Rock Creek e-Power ($55,590): New, exactly the same kind of thing as RAV4 Adventure. And look at the introductory price.
• Subaru Forester hybrid Sport ($59,990): Dressed up in bronze bits, Toyota hybrid tech and a bit more off-road attitude/ability.
• Kia Sportage HEV X-Line AWD ($64,990): Like RAV4, Sportage is now hybrid-only. X-Line is the chunkiest.
• BAIC B30 Premium Adventure hybrid AWD ($50,990): The budget option, but clever hybrid tech and cool retrto look.
• GWM Tank 300 Lux PHEV ($63,990): Never mind the soft-roaders, here's a hard-core 4x4 that you can also plug in.