Presentation and test drive of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the hybridisation of the SUV

Diego G. Moreira 25 March 2016 9 min.

Presentation and test drive of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the hybridisation of the SUV

When we talk about hybrid cars it is impossible not to think of the Japanese firm Toyota. Its Prius was a real revolution, and the subsequent launch of new hybrid models has helped democratise the technology until it is considered one more alternative to diesel or petrol propulsion. In the Old Continent, Toyota has surpassed one million hybrid vehicles sold, and the Auris Hybrid (see road test) has undoubtedly played a major role in that figure.

To the Yaris Hybrid, the Auris Hybrid or the Prius itself (see Prius 2016 presentation), a new member with electric and petrol power now joins: the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The RAV4 went on sale in 1994. In its more than 20 years of history it has always been a reference as a crossover with an urban character. This hybrid version now enhances its versatility in cities, and it is very attractive given the strict traffic restrictions imposed during high pollution levels in large cities (electric and hybrid vehicles are exempt).

Exterior design, a light update of the Toyota RAV4

Externally, the RAV4 Hybrid is updated compared with the current generation of the crossover launched in 2013, with changes to the front and rear of the car. It follows the trend set by other recently updated models such as the Auris and the Avensis, opting for sharper lines that slightly recall its siblings from Lexus.

At the front, the new bumper stands out, giving it a greater SUV feel, it has new lights with Full-LED technology (for both daytime running lights and dipped and main beam). The badge takes on the bluish colour typical of hybrids, and the gaps on either side of the headlights are reduced. Behind the Toyota badge hides a radar which, together with the camera mounted on the windscreen, integrates the new safety systems.

The alloy wheels get a new design, while at the rear the lights are completely new and now feature LED technology for the position and brake lights. Finally, a trim piece appears on the lower part of the tailgate (which has electric operation).

Interior design, few changes but improved material quality

The interior design of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid differs little from the rest of the range, although the changes focus on the quality of the materials used. Toyota wanted to give its hybrid SUV a more premium feel and, while not changing the design, it has improved the quality of the materials in the cabin. Hard plastics remain in the upper and lower parts of the dashboard, but a new padded trim appears in the centre of the dashboard, along with improved materials on the doors and new colour instrumentation.

Something that is not touched but can be noticed is the improved insulation. Acoustic insulation has been increased, noticeably improving interior isolation (the hybrid system also contributes, being quieter than a conventional diesel engine), and on the road this translates into a more comfortable ride with less road noise and lower interior noise.

What does not change is the interior space: the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid keeps its interior habitability intact, being a spacious SUV both in the front and rear seats. The boot has a capacity of 501 litres (a good figure for an SUV, and a hybrid one at that), which is reduced by just 30 litres in the 4×4 versions.

Engine with 197 CV, 4×4 traction and e-CVT transmission

The hybrid system that powers the RAV4 Hybrid has already been seen in other models in the group (such as the Lexus NX). It consists of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with an electric motor of 105 kW which together deliver a total power of 197 CV. The all-wheel-drive versions add a second electric motor, smaller than the main one (50 kW), located on the rear axle.

The gearbox management has been improved, trying to emulate a conventional six-speed gearbox, making acceleration more progressive. The brand has named this new functionality e-CVT.

In practice, in normal driving the new management is noticeable, but when we need to overtake or simply press the accelerator pedal down, the system then reverts to its conventional operation, with revs rising to the maximum to achieve better acceleration (a typical hybrid effect). The gearbox features a sequential function, which is handy for downshifting or for a greater sense of control at the wheel.

Behind the wheel of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The characteristic that best defines the RAV4 Hybrid is its interior comfort; behind the wheel it is a car that seeks maximum comfort for its occupants. As soon as it is switched on, silence is the protagonist, since the electric motor is running. In the first few metres, or if we press the accelerator firmly, the combustion engine starts. The first part of our test was on the motorway, where as we gain speed or merge, the engine revs up (typical of hybrids), although at a calm cruise the engine is barely audible.

The feeling, if we drive calmly, is not that of a car with around 200 CV. The new gearbox behaviour is noticeable, simulating gear changes by stepping up the engine’s revs. If we press the accelerator fully down, then all the horsepower truly awakens, and that is when the engine makes more noise, raising its speed to the maximum to make the most of the powertrain.

On the motorway the comfort offered by its suspension stands out: not very firm, and it filters road irregularities very well. It is precisely this suspension that reduces its effectiveness on winding roads, but this RAV4 Hybrid is not designed for sporty use either. It is an easy car to drive, comfortable but without great dynamic ambitions, aimed at calm and efficient driving.

There are versions with 4×2 and 4×4 traction, the latter fitted with a second electric motor of lower power that sends power to the rear axle. Despite having all-wheel drive, the RAV4 Hybrid is not oriented towards demanding routes or off-road areas. It is quite high, but the underbody protection is limited, and the traction system is designed for small losses of grip or even pulling away in adverse conditions, but not for off-road use, though the towing capacity of the 4×4 versions is greater, reaching 1,680 kg compared with 800 kg for the front-wheel-drive versions. The unit we tested with all-wheel drive had M+S tyres, which always help traction.

One detail that caught our attention is the brakes. The brake pedal does not send direct commands to the brake pump; instead, when braking, the car itself decides what braking force to apply depending on how we press the pedal and the situation: recovering braking energy and charging the battery, or activating the conventional brake system. This is common in hybrid vehicles, but in the RAV4 Hybrid it is accentuated. It is simply a matter of getting used to it, because if we need to brake urgently, the braking system responds correctly.

As for consumption, the RAV4 Hybrid is homologated at 4.9 litres per 100 km. In our test, however, consumption was slightly higher; the motorway driving certainly had something to do with it, since the greater efficiency of hybrid vehicles lies in urban and rural driving rather than on motorways. The consumption we achieved was somewhat higher than the homologated figure, but driving calmly one can obtain consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Equipment

The hybrid range of the Toyota RAV4 introduces new safety equipment, most notably what the Japanese firm has named Toyota Safety Sense, thanks to a camera at the top of the windscreen and a radar at the front. The RAV4 comes with: automatic emergency braking in the event of a collision, pedestrian detection in town, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning.

Another new feature in the equipment is the 360-degree vision system, made up of four cameras (front, sides and rear) to give the driver a “bird’s-eye view”, which is useful for manoeuvring and parking.

The equipment of the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is split into three very comprehensive levels, from the base trim, namely: Advance, Feel and Executive. Even the Advance trim already includes 17-inch alloy wheels, Full LED headlights, electric tailgate, air conditioning, cruise control, and the Toyota Touch with rear-view camera, among other features.

The Feel level adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a JBL sound system, Toyota Safety Sense, among other items. The Executive trim adds leather-upholstered heated seats, sat nav, a sunroof, the 360-degree vision system with four cameras providing a peripheral view of the car, and blind-spot detection in the wing mirrors, among other features.