It's no surprise that a gasoline-electric-powered RAV4 has been added to the Toyota lineup. The only real surprise is that there hasn't been one available sooner.
The Hybrid - the eighth such model to wear a Toyota badge - joins the RAV4 lineup just in time for a mid-cycle makeover. That includes revised front and rear styling and rocker panels as well as new gauges and an optional seven-inch display screen. An SE trim level has also joined the fold with its own distinctive grille and wheels plus a sport-tuned suspension.
Overall, the adjustments are relatively subtle, yet they spruce up the RAV4 by adding more character to a model that previously projected a somewhat bland image compared to many of its peers.
Putting the Hybrid in play for 2016 gives the RAV4 an all-wheel-drive system that no other vehicle in its class currently offers. The combination of two electric motors (one for each axle) that operate in conjunction with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine has been lifted straight out of the Lexus NX200h.
The primary reason that hybrids exist is to deliver impressive fuel economy. The RAV4 Hybrid is rated at 6.9 (litres/100 kilometres) in the city and 7.6 on the highway. The gasoline-only RAV4 with optional AWD is rated at 10.5/8.2.
For drivers who spend much of their time poking along perpetually clogged highways, the Hybrid's fuel savings begin to make sense, regardless of how relatively inexpensive pump prices have become. However, another advantage, and a fun one at that, is the vehicle's total system output of 194 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. That's 18 more horsepower and 34 more pound-feet than the standard RAV4's 2.5-litre fourcylinder produces.
Toyota states that the Hybrid's zero-to-96 kilometres per hour time of 8.1 seconds is a full second quicker than the gas version's, despite being saddled with a 160-kilogram weight penalty.
As with other Toyota hybrids, the RAV4 uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with built-in steps that simulate a traditional automatic. Along with a "normal" setting, you can adjust the vehicle's operation to "ECO" mode for improved fuel economy or "EV" mode that provides up to a kilometre of electric-only operation at speeds up to 40 km/h. Lastly, selecting Sport mode adjusts the Hybrid's driving characteristics with more aggressive "shifts," more direct steering feel and more immediate throttle response. There's likely some degradation in fuel economy, but the Sport setting makes the RAV4 a much more satisfying car to drive.
That becomes apparent the first time you launch the car from a dead stop and when driving (and passing) on winding two-lane back roads. A pronounced engine growl reinforces the fact that the mission is to more than simply pass the pumps. It makes you wonder if a sporty RAV4 "SE" designation wouldn't have been more appropriate here.
For its performance alone, paying $36,200 (including destination charges) for the base Hybrid XLE doesn't seem too bad, especially when you consider that's only $2,800 more than the cost of a gasoline XLE AWD.
Included is plenty of basic and premium equipment plus a power moonroof, backup camera, heated front seats, eight-way power driver's seat and rain-sensing wipers.
The Limited trim adds a navigation system, wide-angle backup camera, premium seat covers and LED headlights, running lights and tail lamps.
Of course, this particular hybrid can in no way be considered a sports car substitute. It is, however, a sensibly stylish compact wagon with plenty of space for five passengers and their gear that in no way compromises driving pleasure. That
It's also a fuel miser is really just a bonus.
The spec sheet
Type: Four-door, all-wheeldrive compact wagon Engine: 2.5-litre DOHC I4 combined with two electric motors (194 h.p.total)
Transmission: Continuously variable (CVT)
Market position: Of the numerous compact sport utility vehicles on the market, the RAV4 is the only one to make available a gasolineelectric hybrid variant, which reaffirms Toyota's dominance with this technology.
Points: Hybrid powertrain makes for one of the best-performing compact tall wagons in its class; CVT is easier to live with here than with other Toyota hybrids; mid-cycle redesign is a significant improvement; price gap between hybrids and comparably outfitted gas models continues to shrink.
Safety: Front airbags; sideimpact airbags; side-curtain airbags; driver's knee airbag; anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control.
Fuel economy: litres/100 kilometres (city/hwy): 6.9/7.6 Base price (including destination): $36,200
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