I drove the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE. It's fun to drive and has luxurious features, but it's not worth buying new.

• Automotive journalist Jules Rogers test-drove the XSE model of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV.
• The SUV offers fuel efficiency and a smooth ride, and the XSE model has added premium features.
• While she would consider buying it, she thinks the price is a bit high and it's not worth buying new.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV is fun to drive and has luxurious interior features. Highlights include its fuel efficiency, smooth ride, and quick acceleration, along with heated seats, a moonroof, and 18-inch sport alloy wheels.

The RAV4 Hybrid XSE all-wheel-drive SUV has extensive safety features, such as automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and pedestrian detection, that come with the Toyota Safety Sense package.

As an automotive journalist, I test-drive new vehicles all the time. The standard RAV4 Hybrid model starts at $31,475, but I drove the XSE model, which comes with the special XSE technology package and costs $42,909.

I liked it, but the 2024 model isn't significantly better than the 2023 model, so it could be worth it for budget-friendly drivers to consider an older model.

The XSE model is for a driver who prioritizes premium features

The XSE technology package includes front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, a smart keys system, wireless smartphone charging, an eight-way power driver's seat with memory function, and a 12.3-inch color gauge cluster control system.

The XSE also has a sport-tuned suspension and bigger tech on the dash. The base model is just fine for those who want a hybrid at a reasonably modest price point.

You can also choose the XSE weather package, which features a heated leather-trimmed steering wheel and rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers, including a de-icer function. This package is great for drivers who live in harsher climates.

The model I drove was equipped with all-weather floor liners, which allow drivers to keep the car spotless — especially if they're driving on dirt roads or mudding on their day off.

Both the interior and exterior are appealing

On the outside, this Toyota is very cute and compact. The one I drove was finished in cavalier blue with multi-spoke black rims.

Inside, the SUV has vegan leather with really nice stitching throughout. This trim specifically features blue embroidery thread on the seating, a high-end detail that makes the interior feel posh. I love the blue stitching. Toyota doesn't skimp on interior materials, so it feels like a modern, well-made SUV.

There are a lot of thoughtful details in the dash and inside the car, including the JBL infotainment system, which creates the perfect mood while driving. Heated front seats also make this hybrid SUV extra comfortable. Even the back seats feature air vents with the dual-zone system setup.

I loved the panoramic moonroof upgrade, which gave the interior a great ambiance for the driver and passengers. This vehicle has many different gadgets for the driver, including its audio multimedia infotainment system with six speakers, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The safety features are very useful

The Toyota Safety Sense features ensure this SUV's safety. These include pre-collision and pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, steering and lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, an anti-theft system with an alarm, a backup camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. This vehicle also has a five-star government safety rating.

During inclement weather, the bird's-eye view feature allowed me to toggle a switch on my rearview mirror, turning it into a screen showing a real-time rear-camera view. I would definitely use this during the rainy months, when vision may be limited by the weather. The rearview mirror also features auto-dimming, so the lights from the car behind you can't blind you.

There's no lack of power

The RAV4 Hybrid is comparable to its sister, the RAV4 Prime, and its competitor, the Kia Sportage Hybrid, which has a complete redesign for 2024 and is the winner of the 2023 US News Best Hybrid SUV for the Money.

This SUV has 219 total horsepower and runs on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electronic variable transmission and electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. This power is suitable for this size SUV.

The ECVT is the vehicle's hybrid mode, which, combined with the engine, gives a decent score of 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. On ECO mode, it gets super quiet and automatically turns off the engine when you come to a complete stop, kicking back on when you exceed a certain speed limit.

This vehicle feels nimble and responsive, and the torque feels instinctive. When you hit the gas the car immediately powers forward — there's no lag. You wouldn't know you're driving an SUV because of its responsiveness, quick horsepower, and four-wheel drive. It offers a smooth ride, nice acceleration and handling, and sport mode for off-roading enthusiasts.

I enjoyed how easy it is to drive

This Toyota SUV is a great vehicle for all types of driving, whether in the city or traveling.

Overall, I find it easy on the eyes and an exciting compact SUV that I enjoy driving. There's no uncomfortable seat in this vehicle, even in the back, so when you're ready for a long vacation with your family, this is the perfect hybrid SUV to do it in.

When I'm next in the market for a hybrid crossover SUV, I will definitely consider the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE, but I wish it didn't cost as much as it does, especially considering how many other options are on the market for $40,000 or less.