Toyota has given its compact RAV4 SUV light visual retouching, more safety and comfort, but above all a hybrid powertrain. Incidentally, this does not necessarily mean all-wheel drive.
Hybrid or not hybrid, this question does not follow any economic logic - especially not at the moment, since the oil price is in free fall and diesel fuel is falling close to the 90 cent threshold. If you drive a (petrol) hybrid, you pay more, but you can almost automatically put on a green vest. Toyota has now only used a small facelift of its RAV4 to equip the compact SUV with the technology that has been tried and tested in the group. The data: RAV4 2,5 Hybrid with 145 kW / 197 hp at 31.990 euros with an average NEDC consumption of 4,9 l / 100 km.
The likewise renovated diesel with a consumption of 4,7 liters is available from 27.290 euros - but offers less equipment, with 143 hp significantly less power and only a manual transmission, while the hybrid naturally rolls with automatic. So if you want aluminum anyway, LED headlights plus cruise control and don't count yourself among the frequent driver group, you should be brooding at the latest.
Let's drive. Start button pressed, and depending on the battery charge level, the green "Ready" lettering on the display means that the driver can drive off in absolute silence. Sometimes the rather large four-cylinder starts immediately, so that you can enjoy your robust sound. So that there are no illusions - we are not talking about a plug-in hybrid with a real electrical range. The incinerator hardly takes a break here. "EV" only lights up in the display when the vehicle is pushing or going downhill when the load is low. Otherwise, the front electric motor, which is blessed with 105 kW / 143 hp, supports the fuel-guzzling acceleration and helps the RAV4 to a standard sprint value of 8,3 seconds when the accelerator pedal is depressed. That doesn't sound particularly exciting given the almost 200 horsepower, but depending on the configuration, an impressive 1,7 tons can also be towed. The all-wheel-drive version of the hybrid, which instead of the cardan shaft and transfer case simply carries another electric power unit (50 kW / 68 hp) in the rear, takes at least 1.650 kg on the hook. Anyone who pulls frequently should take this into account, because the front-wheel drive version may only move a maximum trailer load of 800 kg.
From a comfort point of view, the hybrid RAV is also not a bad choice. The translation changes take place continuously in the so-called power-split system, so there are no jerks. Full-load accelerations, however, cause the petrol engine to crank up, which is then heard. If you try to kickdown, you can literally feel a “kick”, because in this case the electric machine does everything it has to offer. Then the all-rounder marches faster than the driving feeling suggests. The hybrid is of course not made for automobile athletes. But it is definitely a pleasant glider, especially since the chassis is beneficial and the Toyota deliberately lets gently pull over bumpy slopes. The steering is too smooth, however, and could give the driver a bit more feeling for their work.
Passengers are doing well in the RAV4 because there is enough space. No wonder given an outer length of 4,61 meters - which makes the SUV one of the larger examples in its class. Even in the second row you can imagine a longer stay. The chairs are fine, the cushions are firm and comfortable. Incidentally, there is also enough space in the luggage compartment, which swallows 1.633 liters when the rear seats are folded down. The conventional drive variants can pack 113 liters more, but this is bearable.
The vehicle's safety equipment is now up-to-date. For a comparatively cheap 750 euros, the factory also delivers a package consisting of an autonomous braking system including pedestrian detection, lane departure control with partially active steering, active cruise control and traffic sign recognition.
No matter which version you choose. As usual at Toyota, customers get more than solid workmanship for their money and the long-term quality of the products is legendary anyway. However, the optically very factual architecture is certainly not for emotional people, but rather for head people. And the hybrid drive also fits perfectly.
[=” ” ]Toyota RAV4 2,5 Hybrid - short description:
Why: functional, well-designed, quiet, smooth suspension, fair price
Why not: despite a nominally high level of performance, no performance car
What else: Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga, Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Kadjar
When does he come: January 29th
Toyota RAV4 2,5 Hybrid - Technical Specifications:
Five-door, five-seat compact SUV, length: 4,61 meters, width: 1,85 meters, height: 1,68 meters, wheelbase: 2,66 meters
2,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, 114 kW / 155 hp, maximum torque: 206 Nm at 4.400 to 4.800 rpm, electric motor at the front, 105 kW / 143 hp, maximum torque: 270 Nm, electric motor at the rear (only for all-wheel drive), 50 kW / 68 hp, maximum torque: 139 Nm, total output: 145 kW / 197 hp (2WD and 4WD), Vmax: 180 km / h, 0-100: 8,3 s, average consumption: 4,9 , 100 l / 2 km, CO115 emissions: 117 (XNUMX AWD) g / km
Price: from € 31.990