Topic: 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

[EV Dan]

Hybrid and other trims recently spotted in the wild:
http://www.carscoops.com/2015/07/toyotas-facelifted-2016-rav4-and-new.html
Definitely an improvement, both inside and out. How much are they gonna ask for the hybrid Rav?

[EV Dan]

Owner's Manual leaked (PDF):
https://carmanuals2.com/toyota/rav4-hybrid-2016-owner-s-manual-79898
 

[EV Dan]

It seems to have an e-AWD system.

[rrocket]

It seems to have an e-AWD system.

Why wouldn't it?  Same basic platform as the Lexus NX.

[EV Dan]

They could have chosen to use FWD to make it cheaper. E.g. RX450h is FWD in the base US trim.

[X-Traction]

They could have chosen to use FWD to make it cheaper. E.g. RX450h is FWD in the base US trim.

Half of the Ford Escape Hybrids sold had the awd option, on top of what was a relatively expensive vehicle to begin with.

[rrocket]

They could have chosen to use FWD to make it cheaper. E.g. RX450h is FWD in the base US trim.

Half of the Ford Escape Hybrids sold had the awd option, on top of what was a relatively expensive vehicle to begin with.

Personally, I'd only want the AWD Escape hybrid.

[X-Traction]

They could have chosen to use FWD to make it cheaper. E.g. RX450h is FWD in the base US trim.

Half of the Ford Escape Hybrids sold had the awd option, on top of what was a relatively expensive vehicle to begin with.

Personally, I'd only want the AWD Escape hybrid.

What if you lived in Florida and wanted to maximize the mileage of the thing?

[rrocket]

They could have chosen to use FWD to make it cheaper. E.g. RX450h is FWD in the base US trim.

Half of the Ford Escape Hybrids sold had the awd option, on top of what was a relatively expensive vehicle to begin with.

Personally, I'd only want the AWD Escape hybrid.

What if you lived in Florida and wanted to maximize the mileage of the thing?

But I don't.  Which is why I'd personally want the AWD version. And personally?  I'd want a 2008+ version.   

[X-Traction]

They could have chosen to use FWD to make it cheaper. E.g. RX450h is FWD in the base US trim.

Half of the Ford Escape Hybrids sold had the awd option, on top of what was a relatively expensive vehicle to begin with.

Personally, I'd only want the AWD Escape hybrid.

What if you lived in Florida and wanted to maximize the mileage of the thing?

But I don't.  Which is why I'd personally want the AWD version. And personally?  I'd want a 2008+ version.   

Although there are an amazing number of '08 Hybrids for sale, the '08 Hybrid used the same running gear/drivetrain as the first generation Escape Hybrid.  I wouldn't settle for less than an '09, and actually would prefer a '10 or newer.  I know you don't like safety nannies, but others might be interested to know the first Escape Hybrid to have stability control was the '09.

The "predictive" slip&grip awd as provided on the second generation Escapes, even though it isn't manually controllable as on the early first generation Escapes, is impressively capable and totally seamless.

[Noto]

The Black SE trim looks pretty good IMO.

The hybrid is likely going to sell well, bringing more power and better FE to the Rav4.  I'm only concerned re: price, but the Rav4 is cheaper than most given its lack of a second powertrain variant (until now).  The current Rav tops out at $35,845...I'd suspect loaded the hybrid will be about $38,500 with all the bells and whistles.

[EV Dan]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XMLuV42jpM

I'm not sure he's correct about the 65/35% power split between the axles. The way I see it, the rear electric motor can produce its max torque from 0 rpm and torque, not max power is what you need to get you un-stuck in mud or snow. So while mathematically speaking, at full throttle front wheels will get more power (65%), still in real world driving on slippery surfaces more torque could be transferred to the back in this hybrid if the car's electronics senses that's where better traction is.
Thoughts?

[EV-Light]

The Black SE trim looks pretty good IMO.

The hybrid is likely going to sell well, bringing more power and better FE to the Rav4.  I'm only concerned re: price, but the Rav4 is cheaper than most given its lack of a second powertrain variant (until now).  The current Rav tops out at $35,845...I'd suspect loaded the hybrid will be about $38,500 with all the bells and whistles.

You are correct! The RAV4 is very reasonably priced - when you take into account a Hyundai Tucson can peak at $45k!


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[84im]

I took a RAV 4 Hybrid for a test drive today.  The Hybrid Limited with the technology package priced out at $43,330 list.
$48,500 after taxes. 
I test drove the less expensive XLE model.
The vehicle has adequate power, but the engine is quite noisy when accelerating at anything more than a moderate pace.  The noise from the brake regeneration is quite noticeable.  Sounds a bit like a the Vancouver Sky Train when it comes into a station. 

[Ex-airbalancer]

I took a RAV 4 Hybrid for a test drive today.  The Hybrid Limited with the technology package priced out at $43,330 list.
$48,500 after taxes. 
I test drove the less expensive XLE model.
The vehicle has adequate power, but the engine is quite noisy when accelerating at anything more than a moderate pace.  The noise from the brake regeneration is quite noticeable.  Sounds a bit like a the Vancouver Sky Train when it comes into a station. 

I sat in a limited yesterday, and did not like the seat at all , the sides was pushing on my hip

[84im]

I took a 2012 RAV4 Sport, with the V6 engine out for a test drive today.  That is one quick SUV. 

[KD]

I took a 2012 RAV4 Sport, with the V6 engine out for a test drive today.  That is one quick SUV.

I wish they still offered the V6.  It was a 1mpg difference between that and the L4 and the price was reasonable for what you got.  There seemed to be a good take rate as i still see lots of v6s around here.

I like the idea of the hybrid, but not at close to $50k.   

I might just look around for a v6 when i decide to buy.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I took a 2012 RAV4 Sport, with the V6 engine out for a test drive today.  That is one quick SUV.

I wish they still offered the V6.  It was a 1mpg difference between that and the L4 and the price was reasonable for what you got.  There seemed to be a good take rate as i still see lots of v6s around here.

I like the idea of the hybrid, but not at close to $50k.   

I might just look around for a v6 when i decide to buy.

In the old generation, the seating position was not good after a short drive ,  the interior was ugly
And the door swings out instead of going up

[EV Dan]

I took a 2012 RAV4 Sport, with the V6 engine out for a test drive today.  That is one quick SUV.

I wish they still offered the V6.  It was a 1mpg difference between that and the L4 and the price was reasonable for what you got.  There seemed to be a good take rate as i still see lots of v6s around here.

I like the idea of the hybrid, but not at close to $50k.   

I might just look around for a v6 when i decide to buy.

In the old generation, the seating position was not good after a short drive ,  the interior was ugly
And the door swings out instead of going up

Please grab me an iphone 12 while you are still then 

Saw both the new Rav4h and the new Prius on the same parking lot. Kind of liked the Rav's refresh but the Prius looked like it was exposed to something nasty and mutated a bit.

[KD]

I took a 2012 RAV4 Sport, with the V6 engine out for a test drive today.  That is one quick SUV.

I wish they still offered the V6.  It was a 1mpg difference between that and the L4 and the price was reasonable for what you got.  There seemed to be a good take rate as i still see lots of v6s around here.

I like the idea of the hybrid, but not at close to $50k.   

I might just look around for a v6 when i decide to buy.

In the old generation, the seating position was not good after a short drive ,  the interior was ugly
And the door swings out instead of going up

I knew there was a reason i didn't buy one back in 2009...

That V6 was addictive though.