After Reviewing the 2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD Hybrid, I Understand Why Families Love Them

After Reviewing the 2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD Hybrid, I Understand Why Families Love Them originally appeared on Autoblog.

RAV4s tend to be everywhere

Even before I became an automotive writer, every time I turned my head, I’d see at least two RAV4s of all ages. In my home of Bend, I’d venture to say it’s probably 1 RAV4 per every 4 residents. I knew several people who had one, and similar to the way Subaru owners are, I never met a single RAV4 owner who didn’t ramble about how much they love their Toyota RAV4 every chance they got. If it wasn’t the mileage they adored, it was the size. If it wasn’t the size, it was the cargo space. If it wasn’t that, it was the AWD or Toyota’s famed reliability.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD HybridKristen Brown

However, it was rare for me to meet a mom with car-seat-bound kids with one. Most moms I know drive the larger Highlander, or a Hyundai Palisade, or even a practical minivan. I’ve never been a fan of large SUVs, which is why I never upgraded from my Forester, so I often wondered what about the RAV4 made most parents think it was too small for more than one child in car seats. I’m here to tell you, the Toyota RAV4 might be one of my favorite family-friendly SUVs on the market. Let’s dig into why I think that (and no, it’s not because I’m biased).

First and foremost, the price opens up a gas-saving SUV for a wider range of families

The model I tested for a week was the XSE trim, which is one step below the top-of-the-line Limited edition. Even with all the add-ons (advanced technology package, optional premium stereo, all-weather package, optional fog light accent decals, and protection package), the MSRP came out to just over $43,000. The advanced technology package features parking assistance, and the all-weather package comes with all-weather floor mats, a heated steering wheel, and a better de-icing function. All of these are also available in the Limited edition for less.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

For that price, you also get a powerful and proven hybrid system that had me averaging 36.3 miles to the gallon when in Eco mode, and 36.2 in Normal. It was smooth, quiet, and had plenty of pep to get you through the intersection when the light turns yellow. My kids aren’t in school yet, but I pictured sitting in the pickup line in EV mode, knowing I wasn’t burning a drop of gas while I waited for my little bundles to climb in the car. The Monroney sticker says drivers would save almost $2,400 a year in fuel, while only spending just over $1,700 annually at the pumps. That climbs even higher if you get the PHEV version, but those models are notably more expensive.

You don’t have to get the XSE model to enjoy that kind of mileage or gas savings, either. The LE, which is the base trim of the RAV4 hybrid, doesn’t come with as many creature comforts, and it’s not as fancy. It starts at $32,000 MSRP. When you add more features, like the blind spot indicator, rear cross traffic alert, all-weather mats, USB charging ports for the rear, and a protection package, it comes to $35,015. That's incredibly affordable for most people looking for a versatile and efficient SUV.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

Even with those upgrades, it’s still more affordable than the Subaru Forester Hybrid at $36,595, and without the goodies, it’s ahead of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid’s starting price of $34,960. The only SUV that beats the Toyota’s base price is the Kia Sportage at $31,685, but I can already hear the Toyota fanboys singing praise about Toyota’s reliability (which is fair).

The rear seats are very toddler-friendly

Lots of cars come with features like a power liftgate, smart locking or unlocking doors, and rear climate control as standard equipment. However, I’m going with the price-to-feature ratio point here, and I felt very comfortable and confident putting my kids in the back seats. Installing their seats was seamless. There was no wondering where the lower anchors were, as they were visible when you opened the door. No hiding under a flap, no digging around, or flashlight needed. They were easy to find and secure, and it was even easier to stuff the top tether hook in front of the tonneau cover, unlike most SUVs that come with them (looking at you, Volvo). The headrests were removed in just a few seconds for my front-facing daughter, too.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

Once they were installed, the high ground clearance but lower entry point made it easy for my girls to climb in and out of, and loading my youngest’s diaper bag was nothing because the cargo height was right at my hips. There was plenty of legroom with them in their car seats, giving me a place to put my purse that was still easy to grab if needed (yes, I could put it in the passenger’s seat, but I prefer the rear footwell so it’s not easily visible if I put my windows down–I’m paranoid). My girls each had their own A/C vent, so it helped cool the rear down while I loaded them, thanks to the remote start function, and they both loved their large windows that rolled all the way down.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

Most people critique the cloth-centered seats of the XSE, but I appreciated them with car seats. All-leather seats end up with dimples and divots because of their seats in the back and bottom part of the seats, but because those parts were cloth, the leather’s integrity was maintained when I took them out. It didn’t even look like I put their car seats in it. The cloth might make it harder to clean when spills inevitably happen, but that’s nothing a shampooer or upholstery cleaner couldn’t fix.

There’s more cargo space than you’d probably assume

Even after a few Costco hauls, trips to my local Goodwill to drop off some donations, a family day trip to Tumalo Falls and Shevlin Park (making a double stroller a necessity), I never had an issue with cargo space. In fact, I would argue it was on par with the Hyundai Tucson when I had it and the Subaru Forester. Point being, there was more than enough space for a family’s everyday needs.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

Now, the only time I could see trunk space being an issue is a family camping trip when it’s packed with gear and luggage, but that’s why a lot of people have cargo baskets or boxes up to. The XSE didn’t come with cross bars, but there are plenty of aftermarket options. If you want crossbars from the factory, look to the Woodland trim, my second favorite trim.

Standard AWD means you can go more places as a family

All hybrid models of the RAV4 come with all-wheel drive from the factory, which is an asset to families in climates that see all four seasons, like Central Oregon. In winter, the electric AWD system is incredibly responsive and capable, especially when paired with winter-ready tires. Off-road, it doesn’t measure up to the 4Runner, but it will get any family to their remote campsite without much hassle, thanks to relatively high ground clearance.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

All trim levels of the RAV4 hybrid also come with a Trail mode, which is specific to off-road driving. It increases the slip allowance in the front differential and the electronic diff in the rear, and applies the brakes to individual wheels that have lost traction to allow wheels with traction to spin, to help get the RAV4 out of sticky (or slippery) situations. Toyota says the driving mode works best on uneven surfaces, like mud, gravel, dirt, or sand.

Final thoughts

There are plenty of good reasons the RAV4 is Toyota’s best seller. The RAV4 is so good that in 2022, it was the best-selling SUV in the world with over 1 million units sold. They’re capable, reliable, spacious, and jaw-droppingly efficient. I experienced those qualities first-hand, and loved how accessible it is for multiple types of buyers. As a parent, I loved how well the standard features complemented family life, especially the serially excellent ratings it earned in crash test ratings for safety. I loved the excellent visibility, ease of drivability, and the different flavors you could choose from.

2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD hybridKristen Brown

I do understand why people upgrade to the Highlander, but if you were intimidated by the pricing of one, especially the hybrid models, just know this: from one toddler mom to another toddler parent, a RAV4 could easily be a mom-mobile.

After Reviewing the 2025 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD Hybrid, I Understand Why Families Love Them first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.