THE TOYOTA CROSSOVER THAT OUTSELLS ITS ENTIRE HYBRID LINEUP

Toyota has long been the king of hybrids. Whether it's the Prius family, Corolla nameplate, Camry Hybrid, or even the RAV4 Hybrid lineup, this Japanese auto brand knows how to create a reliable, gas-conscious vehicle. In recent years, the hybrid market has seen incredible spikes in interest, with many drivers opting for hybrids and PHEVs over fully electric models. This could be due to the fear or anxiety of charging or the fact hybrids are tried, tested, and a bit cheaper on average than EVs. Even when comparing Toyota to other major brands in the hybrid space, this company does a better job of making an affordable, sleek sedan, truck, or SUV.

With the company's 2023 sales figures coming back around to orbit, it's shocking to see which hybrid underdog has taken grip of the total number of units moved for Toyota. You'd believe the Prius and Prius Prime would have the crown given their legacy, although a hybrid SUV from Toyota has become the leader within its offering. Moreover, this SUV hybrid has outpaced most others on the market in North America, which could signal a heavier push from Toyota and major automakers in the SUV direction. After all, we're seeing fewer sedans than ever being produced. Hybrids and SUVs seem to be the current 'winning' formula. Continue on as we reveal which Toyota hybrid outsold all others in its portfolio.

The RAV4 Hybrid Just Leapfrogged Every Other Toyota Hybrid

With recent sales figures published by Toyota, it's surprising to see that the RAV4 Hybrid model outpaced every other semi-electric vehicle in its portfolio. This includes the iconic Prius family, which consists of two models: Prius and Prius Prime. For 2023, you saw the Japanese auto brand move 161,125 copies in the United States, a jump up from last year's 149,938.

Moreover, the RAV4 Hybrid SUV outdid all other hybrids from Toyota, as the Prius only moved 30,495 in 2023. This points towards the growing trend of larger hybrids and EVs becoming popular among buyers. You want enough space for people, pets, and stuff and a design that doesn't feel like the typical hybrid your mom, dad, or even grandparents drove. It's been decades since the Prius first popped up onto the scene, with Toyota being a driving force for their success thus far. Thank you, Toyota.

When One Icon Falls, Another Rises From The Ashes

Although dramatic, this point is quite true. The Toyota Prius, even with its recent redesign to be sportier, is not as attractive to buyers as the RAV4 Hybrid is. With the RAV4, there's a more rugged, adventurous spirit you're buying into that also feels classic. You don't have to try so hard to be cool in an RAV4 model, hybrid or not, which is why the nameplate outpaced the Prius twins as well as the Corolla Hybrid in 2023. Current sales figures show this trend should continue for the brand, so more attention should be paid to the RAV4 family. Prius will always be iconic, but it may be time to either introduce a Prius SUV or shift gears to RAV4.

Hybrids Are 'In' Right Now

Adding to our previous point, hybrids are the new standard for the auto industry, with many bases, non-EVs being hybrid powertrains. Whether it's 'EcoBoost' or a more efficient engine utilizing electricity between output, hybrids, and PHEVs are the new thing. Everyone has seen a hybrid, wants a hybrid, or at least has considered one. That's what makes the similar trend with SUVs a perfect sales storm for Toyota. You have two boxes getting checked with a single model. That spells success and plenty of money for everyone on that side of the table. You also want to remember that Toyota's electric division saw MAJOR gains last year.

Nearly all vehicles with electricity had increased sales from 2022, which points to the third trend right now: Cleaner vehicle attraction. Hybrids are great for those wanting to keep their gas prices low while also swapping out a traditional ICE for something potentially EV-shifted. Trends come and go, although the RAV4 Hybrid looks to be sticking around for quite some time.

• Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are 'in'
• SUVs are outpacing smaller sedans and larger trucks
• Most consumers WANT greener cars that save on gas

The RAV4 Hybrid Can Weather The Storm

When push comes to shove, and the next trend hits the market, we feel RAV4 is in a powerful position. Not only is this one of the few Toyota models to exceed 150,000 units sold in 2023, but it's also a growing competitor to nameplates like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage, Chevy Equinox, and so on.

It's got a classic look that hasn't been able to be topped (yet), and at a price point of $31,725, you have plenty of things to celebrate. This hybrid SUV is the best of both worlds, plus you see great tech, infotainment, safety, and comfort across the board. The RAV4 feels more exciting than Prius for countless reasons, which is why we're seeing it take the crown ever so quickly. You can be 16, 30, 55, or 100, and this crossover is cool. That's magic we don't often see in this industry.

It's All About MPGs

When discussing WHY the RAV4 Hybrid outsells all other Toyota hybrid models, your MPG ratings stand out. Per the EPA's 2024 estimates, you have the RAV4 Hybrid boasts up to 39 combined MPG, with 41 miles in the city / 38 miles on the highway. This is excellent for the larger vehicle category and shows that through semi-electric design, you can travel quite a bit between trips to the gas station.

You see closer to 30 combined MPGs in most hybrid SUV vehicles, so with the RAV4 Hybrid, there are light years of difference. What's also neat is this five-seater can give you up to $2,500 in five-year savings, based on the Department of Energy's projections. That is yet another pro to choosing an RAV4 model.

Hybrids Take The Cake, And For The Right Reasons

As we enter 2024 with a greener, cleaner mentality, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid shines for many reasons. Whether it's your class-leading mileage, standard features, price point, or classic yet rugged aesthetic, this nameplate continues to be a first choice for drivers. At under $35,000, you already see the RAV4 pave a path of its own, especially with most hybrid and EV SUVs retailing for well past $40,000, $50,000, and even $60,000.

There's never been a better time to jump into one of these SUV models, especially if you value savings over a five-year period. The EPA isn't always 100 percent perfect with these projections, but even being conservative, the RAV4 Hybrid could save you ~$2,000 in its first five years. By then, it may be time to upgrade anyway, so maybe we'll have a fully electric RAV4 with 500+ miles ready by then. If one company can achieve it, we'd bet on Toyota.

Toyota Sold 565,800 Hybrids In 2023 From 448,854 Examples The Previous Year

Getting back into numbers, Toyota's electric division sold a lot of hybrids last year. With almost 450,000 North American units pushed, this comes at a time when Toyota has its eyes on the broader electric market. Hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs fall into this category. You may have a semi-electric model like the RAV4 Hybrid overpower the gas-only version, and eventually, Toyota only offers hybrid as your base, non-EV selection. We're already seeing a bit of this transition across Toyota's popular nameplates, with Corolla, Camry, Highlander, Prius, etc., taking a green approach above all other things. Who knows, maybe the RAV4 is Toyota's golden goose?

2024-04-06T08:12:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd