![]() That new platform makes the RAV impressively quiet, and it feels solid over bumps and ruts. Whichever powertrain floats your boat, the RAV4 has plenty more to offer. The system accumulates data as the vehicle is driven and “remembers” features such as hills and stoplights, for example, and adjusts the hybrid powertrain operation to maximize efficiency. More coolness? Hybrid models feature Predictive Efficient Drive that essentially reads the road and learns driver patterns to help optimize hybrid battery charging and discharging operations based on actual driving conditions. The driver-selectable Trail Mode enhances grip even more. Off-road, it gives better hill-climbing performance. This reduces front-wheel slip off the line, and enhances handling on -road. The Hybrid’s AWD system is unique, and features a separate rear-mounted electric motor to power the rear wheels, increasing total torque to the rear wheels 30% over the old model. All Hybrid RAV4’s feature standard All Wheel Drive, and Toyota shows evidence of deep thinking here as well. Also impressive, the uptick for the Hybrid system is only $800. But when you want to take advantage of those 219 ponies, even in Sport mode, it seems less inclined to play.īut play we did, and enjoying all the power, we still averaged 37 mpg, which is stellar. In normal driving, it’s smooth and refined. A downer in our eyes is the hybrid-exclusive CVT transmission. Seriously good numbers.īut not as good as our Hybrid! With a combined 219 horsepower, it’s the muscle of the family, and those electric motors give instant torque for a strong low-end punch. Under the hood of lesser (you know, non-hybrid) RAV4’s is a new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, punching out an impressive 203 horsepower, and with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, it gets an estimated combined EPA of 35 mpg for front drive and 33-34 MPG for all-wheel drive. Our XSE also added some other premium touches like blue LED mood lighting, and when the RAV is in reverse, the tray lights are dimmed to prevent driver distraction. The center console is 1.5-inches wider and sits 7 tenths of an inch higher to match the door armrest. ImpressiveĪlso impressive, Toyota also really thought about the details – the heated front seats provide greater heat in the center of the back and thighs, which many people find more comfortable. Part truck-grade stuff, part premium ride. There’s also a substantial leather-wrapped steering wheel, chunky center console with fat shift lever, and large rotating control for driver modes.Įverything feels great to the hand – Toyota took extra car to use that polygonal motif inside, and there’s lots of texture on controls, from the Audio to the Climate control, to pieces of trim. They’re handsome and comfortable for the daily commute or your next long adventure. The seats are redesigned front and rear, and the front buckets feel like supportive, sport models, trimmed in faux-leather Soft-tex, with contrasting blue stitching. A low underbody cladding style gives a tough look. The front end has a strongly family resemblance to the 4Runner and Tacoma, with a prominent, sculpted grille, angular lines and sharp creases. ![]() Gone is the pleasant persona – the new RAV has attitude. Well, it crushes it in the styling department. So, is the new RAV4 a segment buster, or just a bust? Instead, Toyota did something amazing, radically redesigning and rethinking the small SUV. That would make a lot of manufacturers cautious, careful and conservative. In fact, Toyota says the RAV4 is not only the best-selling vehicle in its class, it’s the best-selling non-pickup in the country. And since the RAV4 pretty much invented the small car-based SUV 22 years ago, it’s been a big hit. Yes, the Avalon.īut it’s the SUVs and Crossovers that are make or break for manufacturers. The Corolla Hatch? Desirable and fun.Įven the Avalon is sexy now.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |