AWD Rav4 Hybrid

Curious to see what the rest of the Toyota community has to say about the new rav4 hybrid that wields an AWD option. It looks to me like an excellent adventure vehicle for someone that doesn't need a lot of ground clearance. I took one for a spin and it's a very well-composed vehicle. It might be even more appealing with a roof tent on it!

 

Nobody?

 

I can't speak directly to the hybrid, but I bought a Rav4 Platinum AWD for the wife in late September. It's a very smooth and excellent grocery getter. Very nice interior and the 360 camera is real winner for parking in tight spots. It clearly drives more like a luxury car when compared to a 4 Runner. I have driven it down some gravel roads with deep craters and it handled it ok. I find myself grabbing it as opposed to my GTI due to how pothole strewn the roads are here. The local dealer had one in the delivery area that had a set of BFG KO2s one size up + after market wheels and the rep claimed that they cleared with no rubbing. The wife very much liked the more rugged look and stance and requested that I copy the mod. It would be a fine vehicle for accessing campsites via mostly maintained service roads. A roof top tent? I've seen them on a BMW, so why not? Especially if you had a way to hoist it off the roof between uses.

 

I like the idea of a more rugged tire but sizing up with the little 4 banger might have some hefty consequences on mpgs? I'm a Toyota fan and like what they'e done with their hybrids, but since hearing about the new skyactive x compression ignition platform, the mazdas are starting to sound pretty good too.

 

if you are worried about mpgs, don't consider putting a roof top tent on a Rav4. I've lost about two mpgs on my truck. i'm sure it would me much more on a rav4. the current rav4 would make a good camping rig. I met a couple in their 60s in Southern OR who outfitted a 1st gen Highlander for cross country camping. they'd driven from NH and made a platform for sleeping in the back. The 1st gen highlanders are about the same length as a current rav4. seems as if the rav4 is a little wider.

 

We own an XLE. It's cool and gets the job done.

BTW...all hydrids are AWD. The second traction motor drives the rear wheels, either when slip in the front is detected and/or maximum acceleration is needed. No driveshaft to the rear. Motor is mounted directly in the diff. Put it in sport mode and it actually decently quick.

It has both more power and torque than the gas version

 

I noticed that the hybrid had more giddyup than the gasser during the test drive. It was a pleasure to drive! Hybrids prior to 2018 were only fwd though, werent they?

 

Nope. All we AWD. '16 or '17 was the 1st year

 

Electric motors equal instant torque. If you test drive another...reach down in the lower part of the center dash where the 12v ports are and select "sport". This tells the ECM to send more juice to the traction motors and tells the CVT to hold the gas engine at a higher RPM.

It's spunky

 

On an interesting side note. The SE hybrid is not recommended for any towing. Not sure why. Perhaps it's that ridiculous Bilstein suspension...which serves only to stiffen the ride with little gain in actual handling.