Originally published on April 3, 2015

15 years ago, Toyota launched the Prius in Canada. Their first entry into the gas-electric hybrid market paved the way for the rest of the field to follow suit. And since 2004, Toyota Canada has been the leader in hybrid sales, no doubt, due to the immensely popular Camry Hybrid’s introduction to the market in 2006.

Following the same formula as they did with the Camry Hybrid, Toyota have taken their best-selling vehicle in the small CUV segment, thoroughly refreshed it, and made it even more attractive by offering a hybrid option for the first time. This will be the seventh hybrid offering for Toyota Canada.

The RAV4 Hybrid, aimed at younger families and couples looking for a versatile, small, good-looking, eco-friendly, fun, and capable CUV will go on sale starting this fall and Toyota will be revealing the full technical specs closer to that time. For now, here’s what we do know.

The RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5L, four-cylinder engine, running the Atkinson cycle, augmented by an electric motor. Putting power to the ground is Toyota’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive System. Power is primarily transferred to the front wheels until the robots inside the ECM detect changes to the weather conditions or slicker road surfaces, and at that time, feed power to the rear wheels as needed to keep things settled, controlled and civilized.

As mentioned earlier, exact specifications are not yet available but Toyota have said fuel economy will be best in class… by far. As far as power is concerned, the RAV4 Hybrid will deliver more power, quicker acceleration, and a large savings at the fuel pump over its gas-only brethren.

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