It is an important moment for the Japanese brand, or if the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was not the first hybrid compact SUV from Toyota for the C-SUV segment, a unique offer in the market.
a success story
It was in 1994 that Toyota launched the RAV4, the Recreational Active Vehicle featured all-wheel drive and the 3-door configuration with a compact design (3695 mm), made the Toyota RAV4 the first “urban 4×4”. It was the official inauguration of a new segment, the compact SUV.
In the first year of sales, Toyota had 53,000 Toyota RAV4 units sold, a number that would eventually triple in 1996. The success would not stop there: in 2013 sales were ten times higher than in 1994, the year the first generation was launched.
The Toyota RAV4 is marketed in over 150 countries, with more than 6 million units sold across four generations of the SUV. The European market represents 1.5 million units and according to Toyota, 90% of units sold since 1994 are still in circulation.
"Hybridization" in numbers
Toyota has extensive experience in hybrid models, having started this revolution in 1997 with the launch of the first generation Toyota Prius, the first series-production hybrid vehicle.Since the Toyota Prius was launched in Europe 16 years ago, the Japanese brand has sold 1 million hybrid units on the “Old Continent” and 8 million more worldwide. The result? 60% of all hybrid vehicles sold in the world are Toyota / Lexus and this sales figure contributed to an estimated emission reduction of more than 58 million tonnes of CO2. Goals for 2020? Half of sales must be hybrids.
the most powerful ever
Under the bonnet is a 2.5 liter Atkinson cycle petrol engine, with 157 hp and 206 Nm of maximum torque. The electric motor, on the other hand, has 105kW (145 hp) and 270 Nm of maximum torque, with a combined power of 197 hp. This value allows the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid to fulfill the sprint from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 sec. and reach a maximum speed of 180 km/h (limited). The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the most powerful version of the RAV4 ever sold in Europe.
E-Four: full traction
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available with front wheel drive (4×2) and all wheel drive (AWD). In versions with four-wheel drive, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid receives a second electric motor on the rear axle with 69 hp and 139 Nm, with its management and control being in charge of the E-Four traction system. This solution was applied with a view to reducing costs, with no need for a shaft between the two axes.How it works?
The E-Four drive system varies the torque distribution on the rear wheels independently of the front electric motor. In addition to optimizing traction and driving performance depending on terrain conditions, it reduces traction losses. The fact of being independent, allows an optimization of fuel compared to conventional 4×4 systems. The towing capacity is 1650 kg.
Simulate a manual gearbox and "Sport" mode
One of the new features of the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the control software for the hybrid system, which is completely revised. The continuous variation box (CVT) provides linear acceleration and the progressive way in which it delivers power to the wheels is an asset. The “shiftmatic” function gives the driver a feeling similar to the gearshifting of a manual transmission.
The “Sport” mode does what it is traditionally responsible for: engine response is improved and traction is immediate.
Toyota Safety Sense: safety, watchword
Toyota Safety Sense combines a millimeter wave camera and radar, Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Warning (LDA), Automatic High Lights (AHB) and Traffic Sign Recognition (RSA).In the Toyota RAV4 we also find adaptive cruise control (ACC) and an improved pre-collision system (PCS) capable of detecting potential collisions with vehicles and pedestrians.
Inside
A 4.2 inch color TFT multi-information display, located on the instrument panel, allows us to consult all the vehicle information while driving. From the Comfort versions onwards, the Toyota Touch 2 with an 8-inch color touchscreen appears on the dashboard.
At the wheel
In this first contact across Spanish lands, we had the opportunity to drive the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in various types of terrain and in two versions (4×2 and AWD).
The 197 hp are more than enough and are felt in a very linear way (without great demonstrations of strength), much due to the “fault” of the CVT box. Engine noise continues to play a strong role in “deep” accelerations, and there is still some work to be done in this field.
In terms of consumption, it is not easy to stay close to 4.9 liters per 100 km advertised, and in the all-wheel drive version these tend to increase. The conclusions remain to be drawn in the next complete essay on the two variants.
The overall feeling is quite positive, as this is one of the Toyota models that I most enjoyed driving in recent years (first place is reserved for a special Toyota).
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a young and dynamic look, not betraying its DNA. Don't miss the test in Portuguese soil at Razão Automóvel, let's take the Toyota RAV4 Híbrido to the urban jungle, where it intends to stand out. Will you be prepared to be king of the jungle?
Prices and specifications
In addition to the debut hybrid model, the Toyota RAV4 also receives a new diesel proposal: the 2.0 D4-D engine with 147 hp, available from €33,000 (Active) on the Portuguese market. THE Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available from €37,500, up to €45,770 in the Exclusive AWD version.
Class 1 at tolls: the Toyota RAV4 is Class 1 at tolls, whenever associated with the Via Verde device.
Images: Toyota
