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2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE: The Ultimate Fuel Economy SUV For Long Road Trips

March 16, 2021 by Kim Croisant Leave a Comment

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE: The Ultimate Fuel Economy SUV For Long Road Trips

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid relaxing under a palm tree in Gulf Shores.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid saves you money at the pump so you’ll have more to spend on fun stuff!

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a game-changer for saving money on fuel when taking long road trips, which are on the rise now in the middle of this pandemic. Everything about this car is designed to maximize fuel economy, even when running errands in town. With an average of 38 miles per gallon on the highway and 40 MPG combined, it gets better gas mileage than any vehicle I’ve ever driven.

I took a long road trip from Texas to Alabama in this 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and nothing was going to slow me down… not even rain. I knew going in that I was in a vehicle known for good gas mileage, so frequent stops to get gas were not in my plans, but getting to my destination was.

The RAV4 Hybrid is a compact SUV and is perfect for a small family. If you require room for baggage, it’s all in the back, and it’s huge for a small car. I put the RAV4 on eco mode, and away I went on my long road trip.

Related: Road Trip Hacks You Need To Know Before Hitting The Road

Close up of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

A Great SUV For Long Road Trips

From my Texas home through parts of Louisiana, then to Mississippi, to my final destination in Alabama, I saw so many different gas prices. I have to say Mississippi had the lowest prices, and so I remembered that on my way back home. It’s all about saving money at the pump for this girl! So, it’s great on gas, making it economical to drive on long trips.

Because it rained the whole way down there (both days, because I’m a sissy and spent the night in Mississippi), I only averaged 33.9 miles per gallon. I was able to go 350 miles or more before stopping to get gas. But on the way home (Alabama to Texas), I was able to average 35.6 miles per gallon. I believe I filled up the tank three times.

With the success of the RAV4, Toyota’s best-selling model, and the popular hybrid version, this compact SUV is perfect for long road trips.

Related: Road Trips Need Tunes: Here’s Our Ultimate Playlist

It’s break time!

Toyota RAV4 Knows When I Need A Break

The RAV4 is all about safety and taking breaks, and it had my back going and coming with its detector feature. It just so happened (twice) when the warning sign came on, it was truly time for me to pull in somewhere and get out of the car to walk around. The detector wouldn’t go away until I took a break—or at least I couldn’t figure out how! Stopping and getting out of the car is just what I needed.

Toyota RAV4 Backend – spacious and nice with extra pockets on both sides.

Who This Car Is For?

  • Singles, couples, small families
  • People who want to save money on fuel
  • Drivers who want comfort in a small package
  • Someone who likes long road trips
  • People like style, comfort, saving at the pump, and whipping in and out of parking spaces!

Related: Toyota RAV4: A Small SUV That’s Big On Adventure

 

Things To Know About This Fuel Economy Compact SUV

  • The navigation system is easy to control, and it is connected with my Apple/iOS easily.
  • 5-star overall vehicle score compared to other vehicles of similar size.
  • The manufacturer’s suggested retail price with optional equipment is $39,728.00.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE: The Ultimate Fuel Economy SUV For Long Road Trips

The awesome panoramic glass roof with front power

What I Love Most About this Compact SUV

  • Great size trunk for storage and a top that slides over to hide it all. I definitely came back with more than I brought, and I needed the space.
  • The special color of the car: Blizzard Pearl/Midnight Black.
  • The front safety sense (lets you know if you’re too close to the car in front of you) and the pedestrian detection system that notifies you if someone’s walking behind you that you can’t see.
  • The lumbar position is another great feature that I love. I’m swayed back, and this extra support helps my lower back,
  • Heated seats are a must for me, even in the summer. It feels good on my lower back, especially after a long bike ride.
  • My ultimate fave is the panoramic sunroof —opened all the way!

The Ultimate Fuel Economy SUV For Long Road Trips

Disclosure: Toyota provided me this RAV4 Hybrid to travel on my long-distance road trip to Alabama. But my opinions are all my own. 

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Kim Croisant

Kim Croisant

Travel writer and road trip enthusiast of My Traveling Roads, Kim Croisant, is a proud native Texan passionate about seeing the world by car, plane, train, RV -- any way she can. Her travels include many road trips through Texas and beyond. Kim is raising her grandson and takes him and her Yorkie/Shih Tzu mix doggies on as many trips as possible. When she's feeling the love, she lets her darling 82-year-old mother come along as well. But her favorite way to travel is solo. When Kim's not writing, she is hiking through nature and camping in the woods in a cabin full of amenities.
Kim Croisant

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  • The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Will Leave You Feeling Rugged, Wild and Free - February 16, 2022

Filed Under: 5-Passenger Seating, Hybrid, SUV, Toyota Tagged With: 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid, 5-passenger SUV, hybrid, SUV, Toyota, toyota rav4 hybrid, toyota rav5

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