Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Volvo EX40

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volvo EX40 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. But it costs extra on the EX40.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the EX40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the EX40:

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EX40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the EX40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 15th.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (302 vs. 248) than the EX40 Single Motor’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the EX40 Twin Motor (105 city/84 hwy vs. 103 city/85 hwy MPGe).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 622 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The EX40’s range is only 260 to 296 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 28 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 8 hours.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX40 are solid, not vented.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the EX40; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the EX40’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EX40 (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the EX40 (8.2 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Volvo EX40.

The front grille of the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EX40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has 3.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EX40 (101.3 vs. 98).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The EX40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EX40 with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 16 cubic feet). The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EX40 with its rear seat folded (63.2 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the EX40’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the EX40’s in almost every dimension:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EX40’s (2500 vs. 2000 pounds).

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid, using the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the EX40.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the EX40 (1295 vs. 960 lbs.).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EX40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The EX40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EX40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EX40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid will cost $1735 to $2165 less than the EX40 over a five-year period.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid will retain 59.06% to 59.32% of its original price after five years, while the EX40 only retains 49.64% to 50.07%.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by almost 18 to one during 2024.