The Toyota RAV-4 is one of the most successful crossovers on the market today. Many people consider this iconic vehicle to be the grandaddy of crossovers. All other class contenders need to measure up to the reliability and the driver experience that the RAV-4 offers. But Toyota has never been a brand to sit on its laurels, and the RAV-4 Hybrid is their response to a demand for greener driving options.
Hybrid technology offers drivers the choice of two powertrains in one vehicle, making it particularly attractive to drivers who spend the week commuting in the city and their weekends on longer adventures. But are there any other differences between the RAV-4 and its Hybrid cousin?
Performance
Let’s start with the big difference – the powertrain. In the Toyota RAV-4, a 2.5ltr four-cylinder petrol engine puts out 203 bhp. That's enough to keep most drivers happy, making this big crossover responsive and nimble. The Hybrid version generates an additional 16 bhp, taking it up to 219 bhp when combining the output of both the petrol engine and the electric motor. That extra power pushes the 0-100km/h speed up from 8 seconds for the standard petrol RAV-4 to 7.1 seconds for the Hybrid. Using an electric motor eliminates a lot of the engine lag that crossovers can suffer from, making this quicker away from stationary than the petrol version.
The transmission is different between the two models, too. Whereas the RAV-4 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Hybrid uses Toyota’s innovative CVT option. This smooths out the power delivery, especially at lower speeds.
Efficiency
The other obvious area of difference between the two models is efficiency. The Toyota RAV-4 is reasonably efficient for a crossover, delivering around 9.9/12.4/10.6km/ltr for city/highway/combined. The Hybrid comes in at an impressive 14.5/13.4/14.1km/ltr for the same parameters. That gives the Hybrid the distinct advantage when it comes to fuel economy. The inclusion of a petrol engine for longer journeys also eliminates any 'range anxiety' that EV vehicle owners tend to experience. The petrol engine has all the range you need and can be easily refilled like a normal car.
Handling
Both the Toyota RAV-4 and the Hybrid RAV-4 are the same size, same ride height, and weight, so there is very little to choose between the two when it comes to handling. The only real difference is that the Hybrid has AWD permanently engaged, whereas you can change from AWD to front-wheel drive on the RAV-4.
Inside, the cabins are the same size, so leg and headroom for passengers and driver are matched between the two. The same applies to the cargo space, with both options offering around 69.8ft³. The only other difference is the towing capacity, with the RAV-4 capable of towing between 680-1587 kg, while the Hybrid is locked in at a maximum towing capacity of 793 kg.
Fundamentally, the powertrain is the only real difference between the RAV-4 and the Toyota RAV-4 Hybrid. These cousins are equally comparable and just as exciting to drive in every other aspect.
If you'd like to find out what the RAV-4 has to offer for yourself, why not book a test drive online with Al-Futtaim Toyota today?
