2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 2.5L Hybrid Engine (A25A-FXS): Problems, Longevity, and Specs

The Toyota RAV4 is quickly gaining more popularity in the US now. If you look at the map of the most popular SUVs (and also the most popular cars among all types) in the States, you will see that the RAV4 is the winner in about half of the states. It means, Americans love this vehicle and are confident that this is a great choice. But they still mostly buy a cheaper pure-gasoline-powered version. What about the hybrid RAV4 then?

Today, we'll tell you more about the 2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4, mainly we'll concentrate on the engine itself, but will touch on some other questions, too. We'll look at some important specs that will help you compare this vehicle to some other cars out there and make the right decision. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2017-now
• Average lifespan of A25A-FXS:160,000-180,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:combined injection D4-S (direct + port)
• Power range:174-189 hp
• Fuel efficiency:excellent
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:noisy work, EGR cooler leaks, EGR valve getting stuck, VVTi problems.

What should you know about the 2.5L Hybrid powertrain in the RAV4?

So, the RAV4 Hybrid is a separate model in the range of Toyota. It's sold now starting at about $32K with its top trims going up to $40,000 and even a little more. It's still not the most expensive hybrid SUV on the market. And its fair price is what adds some popularity to the model.

Actually, the all-gas-powered RAV4 starts at $29,000, so you won't overpay too much for the hybrid powertrain. But it certainly gives some perks to you including better gas mileage and much less harm to nature when you drive. But let's look at everything step by step without turning on our emotions and counting on common facts.

Here are some key features of the A25A-FXS hybrid powertrain in the RAV4:

• the vehicle is basically powered by the same type of engine which powers the non-hybrid version, it's the 2.5L 4-cylinder Miller-Cycle non-turbo engine codenamed A25A-FXS;
• this engine is prepared to work in the hybrid powertrain, it produces about 180 horsepower, but altogether the hybrid powertrain offers 219 hp;
• the only available transmission is the CVT (or better say e-CVT) with sequential shift mode which may sound bad but is actually OK for this vehicle;
• the engine has a combined fuel injection system D4-S which seems to be good and protected from carbon buildup;
• the same type of engine has been used in Avalon, Camry, and Highlander as well as in some Lexus hybrid vehicles since 2017;
• the timing system is driven by the chain which is eternal, as Toyota says, but actually, it's one of the weak links in the engine;
• there is a second electric motor located on the rear axle, so all RAV4 Hybrid models are all-wheel-drive SUVs.

You should understand that we are speaking about the RAV4 Hybrid, not the RAV4 Prime which is the plug-in hybrid. Although it's powered by the same engine, it has a little different powertrain and larger batteries that allow you to travel about 40 miles using only electricity. The RAV4 Hybrid is not a plug-in hybrid and its electric motors help the gas engine use less fuel and move faster.

The most important advantage of this model is its gas mileage. It's going to offer you about 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on highways. Yes, in the city this vehicle is more economical than on highways like many other hybrid cars. Compare it to an average mileage of 30 MPG for gas-powered RAV4 models. It's a huge difference in your monthly budget!

How long will the RAV4 Hybrid engine last?

When we are talking about the hybrid powertrain, we should divide the longevity questions into two different ones.

The engine is going to survive at least 200,000 miles. It's not a bad engine that still has its share of problems and will require expensive maintenance. But it's durable and not too expensive to repair. Also, if the electric powertrain malfunctions, you will still be able to drive the vehicle using only the gas engine which is pretty good.

Electric motors are probably the most durable units onboard. We believe they can last for about 500,000 miles if all other parts of the car may live that long. But the battery is a little different. The hybrid battery pack will most likely last no more than 100,000 miles and you will need to replace the batteries. And it's going to cost you a fortune. Up to $8,000 right now, to be precise.

So, if you see that the odometer comes close to 100K miles in your RAV4, you should understand that you have a choice: to sell the vehicle while it's OK and buy a new one or invest a huge amount of money in it and then drive it some years to get at least some advantages from your investment.

What are the common problems with the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Again, we are not talking about the plug-in hybrid. If you want to know more about that version, comment on this article to let us know. The Hybrid version doesn't have a lot of awful problems with its powertrain. It's well-known and checked by thousands of drivers engine that will not disappoint you.

But still, some possible issues are worth knowing:

1. Fuel injection issues

You may remember that at the beginning of the article, we said that the D4-S hybrid injection is pretty good for avoiding carbon buildup. Yes, it's true, but it has a lot of other common problems. They will be especially annoying if you use bad or inappropriate fuel. Repairs are super expensive, so just never experiment with the quality of gas you buy for your RAV4 Hybrid!

2. EGR cooling system leaks

Unfortunately, the A25A-FXS engine has EGR. And this unit is going to get on your nerves. The situation becomes especially annoying because of the faulty EGR cooling system. It cools the EGR valve with engine coolant and it tends to leak in every other vehicle.

Leaks may cause a bad smell in your RAV4, a low coolant level, overheating, and total contamination of the EGR cooler. Although it's not a huge problem and it doesn't cost too much to repair, there is nothing pleasant in this small issue.

3. EGR itself

The exhaust gas recirculation system will be clogged at about 80K miles or even sooner. This also depends on the quality of fuel you buy for your car. But even in the best scenarios, it won't live as long as the whole powertrain.

The EGR will get clogged and probably even stuck. This will lead to massive power loss and other consequences. Repair is actually the replacement of the EGT and it isn't the cheap thing, we should say.

4. Wiring issues

Some people have reported wiring corrosion in the bottom part of the vehicle. Some have also said about overall wiring problems. It's worth saying that wiring issues for a hybrid vehicle can be surprisingly expensive to locate and repair.

Unfortunately, dealers are not too happy to help you repair the RAV4 under warranty, so it may take some time to prove that this is Toyota's fault, not yours. But be sure - this problem is common.

To avoid corrosion issues, don't wash the undercarriage of your vehicle with high-pressure washers. This leads to water penetration to wires and may cause corrosion of connections.

5. Poor gas mileage when cold

Cold weather leads to sharp gas mileage deterioration in all RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. This is because the battery freezes and loses its capacity. So, the gas engine has to work harder to compensate for the battery problems. There is nothing much you can do to prevent this from happening.

What should you know to drive your RAV4 longer?

If you want to own your RAV4 Hybrid vehicle for more years and drive more miles, you should remember some simple yet very important guidelines:

• Remember that around 100K miles you will have to replace the battery pack which is really expensive.
• Also, at 100K miles, it's important to replace the timing chain to prevent issues with it that can destroy the engine.
• Check the EGR system after you drive about 50,000 miles and then at every regular maintenance - leakages should be addressed immediately.
• Avoid using bad fuel - this will not help you economize any money in the long run.
• Prevent water damage to wires located under the vehicle - don't wash the undercarriage with high-pressure water.

These simple rules will help you prolong the life of the RAV4 Hybrid and spend much less money on maintenance and repairs.

Overall, the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid model is a great SUV with a cool design and comfortable interior that offers wonderful gas mileage. It's not a problem-free vehicle but it's also not as problematic as many other hybrid cars available on the market now.