Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2020 review: GXL 2WD snapshot

Toyota's new-generation RAV4 first went on sale in May 2019 and is available in 11 flavours, with the top-spec front-wheel-drive version being the Cruiser Hybrid 2WD that retails for $41,990.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, mud flaps, roof rails, rear privacy glass, chrome exterior accents, power-operated tailgate and sunroof.

Inside, the RAV4 Cruiser features heated front seats, and a leather steering wheel and gear selector, as well as an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen system with satellite navigation, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and nine-speaker sound system.

Also included is a wireless smartphone charger, five USB ports, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, push-button start and a 7.0-inch driver display.

Propulsion comes from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 131kW/221Nm, and is teamed to a front electric motor outputting 88kW/202Nm.

As such, the combined system output in the Cruiser Hybrid FWD is 160kW, which is fed to the front axle via a continuously variable automatic transmission with a conventional launch gear.

The RAV4 was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP crash safety rating in testing conducted in May, 2019.

Safety systems are substantial in the Cruise 2WD, and include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection (the latter only applicable during the day), reversing camera, lane-keep assist, steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition.