What is it?
To coincide with the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4’s facelift, Toyota has added the option of hybrid power to its drivetrain line-up. It uses a similar set-up to the RAV4’s plusher cousin, the Lexus NX300h, with a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine allied to a front-mounted electric motor in the front-drive version (available from £26,195) and supplemented by a further electric motor at the back in the four-wheel-drive version (from £29,795). Toyota says combined power output is 194bhp in each configuration, dished out by a CVT.
In either arrangement, the RAV4 Hybrid takes 8.4sec to reach 62mph, making it quicker than versions powered by either the new 2.0 diesel or revised 2.0 petrol engine, despite the hybrid carrying a 105kg weight penalty in front-drive form and a further 65kg in four-wheel-drive guise.
Exterior updates are focused on the front end, while the RAV4’s cabin has been gently refreshed with some new finishes, ambient lighting and a revised instrument binnacle featuring a 4.2-inch info display to supplement the main 7.0-inch touchscreen.
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I'm going to defend this...
I think this car could be very useful for a lot of people. I've driven a number of Toyota hybrids and once you adapt to the driving style required can make smooth and satisfying progress, and can actually get the quoted economy figures. The best bit is urban driving - and lets face it, most peoples commutes are pretty stop start these days.
I got quite fond of an Auris hybrid I borrowed - unpretentious, comfy and well screwed together. This is even more use, and while some would consider it blandly styled, I'd call it understated and rather welcome for those who dont aspire to a blinged up Evoque or similar. I dont really understand the reviews that expect to be able to fling around a family SUV like a sportscar. Thats not the point.
Add in the five year warranty and it makes a good case for itself.
Range
Horses for courses?
I can accept Autocar giving this a low rating because the magazine is driver focussed, but for most people, Toyota reliability is going to trump steering feel and soft plastics. I suspect most owners will feel it's a 4 or 5 star car.
Flat battery?
The more advanced PHEV can recharge the battery in exactly the same way as the RAV4 so the battery won't go 'flat', the engine can also act as a generator charging the battery directly something the RAV4 can't either (I think), plus, going back to my original point it's got a plug! (charges to 80% capacity in 30 minutes, big bonus). Disadvantage is it's a fair bit slower in most cases
Not disagreeing, but...
gregor60 wrote: I'd have 50
Except you're quoting the pie in the sky official figure for the Rav 4 but a real world figure for the Outlander (the official battery empty figure is 49mpg).
Unfortunately this article completely skips over the whole point of this car and doesn't even report fuel economy on the road test so it's difficult to know what it'll do
However, if we look at the Lexus NX 300h which also has an official fuel economy of 55mpg then that's getting reported average fuel economy of 36-38mpg