Yahoo Autos 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Charges Ahead
It was never a question of if, only a question of when Toyota would offer a hybrid version of the RAV4 small SUV. With the RAV4’s midlife freshening for 2016, a hybrid was added to the line. Toyota expects that about 15 percent of RAV4s will be sold as the hybrid. The 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes only as XLE and Limited; both trims are fitted with all-wheel-drive. The XLE is priced at $28,370 and the Limited at $33,610. Not surprisingly, customers have been asking for exactly that kind of affordable small SUV hybrid. So in an odd homage to Toyota’s ad tagline from the Seventies, we can say: “You asked for it, you got it. Toyota”
The RAV’s hybrid running gear is identical to that of the Lexus NX300h and produces a total output of 194 horsepower from its 2.5-liter four and electric drive. It’s primarily a front-drive vehicle, but an additional rear-mounted motor supplies propulsion to the rear wheels when the car senses front slippage. Acceleration is supposedly one second quicker compared to the regular RAV but with the CVT’s tendency to make the engine moan when accelerating with gusto the feel is quite different. We got 29 mpg overall with the NX hybrid and Toyota’s techies say that the RAV might do one or two better due to its lighter weight and different aerodynamics. On our 20-mile route of suburban driving we got 32 mpg.
Other than that, the entire RAV4 line received suspension tweaks for a more comfortable ride, sound-deadening measures to make it quieter, some improvement to interior fit and finish, the expected availability of electronic active safety features, a bit of a face-lift, and the addition of a pseudo sporty SE version.
