The CVT automatic gearbox causes the engine to sit at high revs if you squeeze the throttle, masking the 195bhp produced by its petrol and electric motors and 8.4-second 0-62mph acceleration. Such high figures are possible because both competitors boast an all-electric range of more than 20 miles when charged from the grid, while the RAV4 can only harness enough energy for around a mile of zero-emissions driving.Ĭontrary to impressive on-paper specifications, the RAV4 doesn’t really impress on the road either.

The RAV4 Hybrid also struggles in comparison with plug-in hybrid SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and MINI Countryman Cooper S E ALL4, because its small battery is far smaller.įront and four-wheel-drive versions of the Toyota manage official fuel-economy figures of just over 55mpg, while the Outlander and Countryman achieve well over 130mpg in laboratory tests. This means its 2.5-litre petrol engine is quite a bit bigger than the 1.8-litre found in the Toyota Prius and Toyota C-HR, resulting in lower fuel economy. The reason is possibly its larger size, requiring Toyota to adapt the technology from its upmarket Lexus NX to propel the RAV4. Toyota has been at the forefront of hybrid technology for two decades, but we’ve had to wait a long time for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV. Want to seek adventure Must be time for a new set of 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD W/ Smart-Key tires Not only do we have the best tires for your RAV4.

Toyota rav4 2018 hybrid