2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Review

The new-for-2018 LE base trim comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, integrated blind-spot mirrors, rear privacy glass, roof rails, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver seat, and a 60/40-split folding and reclining second-row seat.

Also standard is Toyota Safety Sense P (forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams), a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface, Bluetooth, one USB port, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, a media player interface and an auxiliary audio jack.

The XLE adds foglights, a sunroof, an upgraded rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation package that includes satellite radio, HD radio, Siri Eyes Free and a Scout GPS smartphone-based navigation system. Heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver is optional.

The SE adds sportier suspension tuning, 18-inch wheels, special exterior styling, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems (optional on XLE), automatic LED headlights, LED running lights and taillights, a height-adjustable power liftgate, an eight-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, heated front seats and SofTex vinyl upholstery.

The Limited reverts to the XLE's styling and suspension tuning, but includes the SE's other upgrades. It further adds front and rear parking sensors, chrome exterior trim, driver-seat memory functions, an auto-dimming mirror, and the Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite (optional on the XLE and SE) that includes a 7-inch higher-resolution touchscreen, a variety of smartphone apps and an integrated hard-drive-based Toyota navigation system. A hands-free liftgate is a stand-alone option.

An 11-speaker JBL audio system can be added to the SE and Limited trim levels as either a stand-alone item or within an Advanced Technology package that also includes a bird's-eye view parking camera, and on the SE, the parking sensors and auto-dimming mirror. The XLE's Hybrid Convenience package adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, the power liftgate, and the Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App suite.