A Gas-Electric Advantage? Testing RAV4 Hybrid on Safari
The future may be all-electric, but Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid makes a strong case for economical fuel sippers in places where EVs don’t make sense.
Toyota continues to push its hybrid tech around the world. So much so, that the Japanese firm this week threatened to pull out if manufacturing cars in Britain, should the UK insist on banning hybrids from 2035. This new RAV4 E-Four Hybrid GX-E, as it is called in our South African market, is central to that effort alongside its kid brother Corolla Cross Hybrid. Known as the RAV4 Hybrid XSE in this specification amid a far broader Toyota Hybrid range in the US, this one takes a few more steps forward over its reinvented font wheel drive sibling.
The all-new petrol-and-electric all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid brings newfound hybrid sophistication while also broadening that fast-growing Hybrid range. It also brings buyers an even broader choice between different models and variants of Toyota Hybrids.
RAV4 Hybrid Proved a Surprise
Toyota now sells this surprising variant as the $35,555 XSE model as part of a broad US RAV4 Hybrid range. There are of course also petrol and more powerful Prime plug-in hybrids too. I say surprising for good reason. At the price, this upper-level model still sits below the S38K Limited flagship, making it a proper bargain versus some executive smaller SUV rivals.
It’s set apart by a large trapezoidal grille and wide-set fog lamps framing its Hybrid blue- Toyota gong. There are LED daytime running headlights, fog lamps, roof rails, a rear spoiler and cool smoky 18″ alloys that reminded us a bit of those desert windmills we passed on our way.
Step aboard and our RAV4 Hybrid packed heated and ventilated seats with power adjustment for the driver. Orange stitched black leather trim spreads all the way to the steering wheel and gear knob. And there’s striking orange detailing console surround areas and seat backs too.
Practical Infotainment
The E-Four Hybrid’s digital dials have a multifunction display with a dedicated Hybrid window. A CarPlay, Auto and button-rich touchscreen infotainment dominates the central dash. It has real knobs too and features five USB and two 12-volt ports, a wireless charger A convenient reversing camera supplements rear park distance control too.
Packing cruise control, climate control, rain-sensing wipers, smart-entry, and anti-theft, RAV4 Hybrid has a comprehensive safety specification too. There’s a full complement of airbags that includes side and curtain protection. This XSE also comes with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability, Trailer Sway, Hill Start and Downhill Assist Controls.
The RAV4 Hybrid combines a punchy fourth generation 176 HP 163 lb.-ft Atkinson cycle Dynamic Force 2.5-litre gas 4-cylinder with a 118 HP 149 lb.-ft e-motor to drive the front axle via a CVT transmission. Running a 14:1 compression ratio, this direct port-injected engine with intelligent electronic throttle control is super ultra-low emissions rated.
Second, Rear Motor Brings AWD
That’s aided and abetted by a second, 54 HP 89 lb.-ft electric motor driving the rear wheels via a two-stage reduction gear transaxle. Being a hybrid, the motor generators both charge and are powered by a 259V sealed lithium-ion battery to supplement the already able petrol plant.
Toyota’s E-Four hybrid set-up responsively and automatically optimizes torque distribution between the front and rear axles. The split varies between 100% front, to a 20/80 front-rear output. Distribution is rear-oriented on cornering. To inspire driver confidence and enhance steering feel. Maximum combined output is a staunch 219 HP.
An Auto LSD Trail Assist mode improves traction on the dirt. The driver can further tailor vehicle dynamics via Drive Mode Select. Our Hybrid was also rated to tug up to a 2,200 lbs. braked trailer on that rugged hitch. The RAV4 XSE Hybrid proved a second quicker than the petrol-only AWD 2.5-litre we tested last year. Never mind considerably more flexible.
RAV4 Hybrid GX-R is a Bargain
Considering that car sucks a third more gas, it soon becomes clear why we reckon this one is a bargain. That said, a flagship Hybrid Limited does carry a $3K premium, but the comprehensive US RAV4 Hybrid range also starts at $29K for the Hybrid LE.
We took our appropriately Urban Khaki-hued RAV4 Hybrid on a fine safari to the South African Karoo semidesert. Pleasing to drive, take your time to exploit this E-Four Hybrid system’s potential and you soon start to understand its earth-saving potential. Super smooth on the freeway, it’s at its best in and around town.
Just as impressive off the beaten track, RAV4 Hybrid smooths out long dirt road corrugations as if they’re not there. It will oblige well on a drive to the trout pond or mountain cabin. Don’t expect it to do proper four-by-four work though. It scrapes on the floor and its pretty plastics will soon become consumed if challenged too far.
Hybrid Has a Big Future
Toyota claims that the RAV4 E-Four Hybrid sips a combined 40 mpg. Expect to use about 34 mpg every day. That’s still impressive in this neck of the woods. Understand that your hybrid is happiest in city or in slower driving and you’ll soon master it.
Driven frugally you should get close to 600 miles on the 14.5-gallon gas tank. Best of all, we really enjoyed challenging the infotainment’s knob-activated trip readout mile by mile.
If this RAV4 Hybrid is anything to go by, there’s nothing to worry about. The hybrid may well be crucial to our driving future, but this car makes that all the more worth looking forward to.
ROAD TESTED: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE Engine: 176 HP 163 lb.-ft 2.5-litre petrol I4 Motors: Front 118 HP 149 lb.-ft, Rear: 54 HP 89 lb.-ft Combined Max Output: 219 HP Hybrid Battery: 259V Sealed Lithium-ion Drive: CVT AWD TESTED: 0-40 mph: 3.58 sec 0-60mph: 7.24 sec 0-100 mph: 17.36 sec ¼-mile: 15.5 sec @ 149 km/h 50-75 mph: 4.96 sec 75-100 mph: 7.17 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 120 mph Fuel: 40 mpg LIST PRICE: $35,555
Images: Michele Lupini
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