If 448,068 people jumped off the bridge at the same time, would you do it too? That's how one publication commented on the choice of RAF-4 buyers. That's exactly the number of people who bought the 2019 Toyota RAV4, making it the best-selling NOT PICAP in the United States. I wonder if half a million people made a wise decision, or if the RAV4 made them rush headlong into it?
Of course, most of these cars, were only with internal combustion engines, but we will consider the hybrid RAV4, in the Limited configuration. Looking ahead, we can say that a powerful hybrid should appear in 2021, but also the standard 219-horsepower hybrid is not a wimp. With plenty of power and good dynamics, as well as excellent fuel economy, the price increase over the regular models becomes understandable. So, the purpose of this little research is to understand, does the RAV4 still stand out in the most competitive segment of the market? We will try to answer this question in more detail.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid changes. What's the difference compared to the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid?
While the standard RAV4 lineup received a significant addition in the form of the off-road TRD model, the hybrid's changes are less significant. Android Auto functionality has finally been added to the list of infotainment system features along with SiriusXM satellite radio. A slight rearrangement of options means the XLE model loses the sunroof in the base version but gets an adjustable driver's seat, while the Limited gets a JBL sound system as a base for the new model year.
Pros and cons
• Incredibly economical car +
• High standard safety +
• New additions to the infotainment system, Android Auto finally appeared +
• Modern design +
• Spacious trunk and plenty of internal storage space +
• Relatively affordable compared to non-hybrid +
• Base model has fairly modest interior and equipment -
• Unmodern engine -
• Boring handling -
• Brakes feel like cotton –
• Poor soundproofing –
External differences of the hybrid RAV4
With a frame that mirrors the standard RAV4 lineup, many of the hybrid's exterior features are the same as their non-hybrid siblings. All models have LED daytime running lights, starting with the XLE Hybrid RAV4 equipped with LED headlights. 17-inch wheels are standard on the LE and XLE versions. From the XSE and Limited versions, the cars are equipped with 18-inch wheels. These 2 versions also get a different front grille and nameplates present on all hybrid variants.
Performance of the hybrid RAV4
The hybrid crossover's power output is not impressive, and yet the hybrid RAV4 is more powerful than the standard model. 219 horsepower is derived from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine with electric motors mounted on the rear axle, making the RAV4 Hybrid a consistently all-wheel-drive vehicle in much the same way as its main competitor the Honda CR-V Hybrid. The car goes from 0-100 kilometers per hour in less than 7.5 seconds, surpassing the standard model by almost one second. Electric assist also helps the hybrid's ability to tow a trailer, giving it the ability to tow a trailer with a gross weight of more than 3.5 tons .
Engine and transmission
The RAV4 Hybrid uses the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder powertrain as the regular RAV, but its advantage is based on integrated operation with two electric motors. The system produces a total power output of 219 hp, and is controlled by a CVT transmission. Individually, the powertrain is higher than 219 hp ( 176 hp and 118 hp ), but the hybrid car's power is uniquely rated because the internal combustion engine and electric motors rarely produce peak power at the same time.
Instead of using an eight-speed automatic like the standard RAV4, the RAV4 hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission. Many people think this is unreasonable, but actually using a CVT to rival the eight-speed automatic on the hybrid is justified. The regular RAV4 is much weaker than the hybrid, and the automatic transmission uses its potential with more impact. With the CTV, the hybrid system feels more supple than the internal combustion engine-only option.
Driving Impressions.
Driving the RAV4 Hybrid is by no means the most interesting experience, but unlike previous generations, this latest model does offer some fun. Now based on the same TNGA architecture that underpins the Camry and Corolla, the RAV4 has sharper steering that doesn't separate the driver from the front wheels as it seemed before. Ride comfort is quite satisfactory for an affordable car, one really wishes Toyota would improve soundproofing to reduce road noise, because the RAV4 can get tiresome on the expressway. Like many hybrids, the brake pedal feels a little unnatural due to the power regeneration on, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
Drivers can choose between Eco, Normal and Sport modes using a rotary knob that lights up in different colors depending on the mode. These settings change the RAV4's behavior slightly, but just enough to be noticeable. Throttle response is quite slow in Eco mode, but in Sport mode the hybrid feels much more frisky than its gasoline counterpart. There is also an EV mode, which allows you to drive the car using only the battery, but it works for very short distances at low speeds .
The hybrid powertrain, in different modes, can save up to 30% of fuel, which makes the car quite a bargain.
Hybrid RAV4 interior
There are very few differences between the hybrid and conventional versions of the RAV4, the interior has the same strengths and weaknesses, prioritizing ergonomics and storage space over design and quality materials. The Limited trim, featuring eco-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, as well as a leather-covered panel and padded armrest, looks more interesting, but it also has plenty of plastic, with the infotainment system screen proudly towering in the center of the panel. The biggest advantage of the RAV4 hybrid is that this practical crossover, has a large, completely non-hybrid cargo space, and with rear seats that fold completely , to a flat floor, providing easy transportation of large items.
The cabin is quite spacious, but the nearest competitor, the Honda CRV, gives more room for second-row passengers. Nevertheless, there is plenty of room in the cabin for small items, including a box in the armrest with an additional wireless charger and two niches in the dashboard.
RAV4's entertainment system and features
Even though the RAV4 presents only four equipment options in the hybrid, it still manages to achieve the same variety of features as the regular lineup, from the Spartan on the LE to the extremely equipped on the Limited. A rearview camera is standard, while a 360-degree all-around camera is optional on the Limited. An eight-speed driver's seat adjustment is available from the XLE, while heated front seats are standard from the XSE, and ventilated and heated rear seats are optional on the Limited. Driver assistance is a key focal point on the RAV4 Hybrid, and available in any version, they feature Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
Infotainment display
The LE and XLE makes do with a tiny seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with four speakers, which, has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Alexa integration. Moving up to the XSE level, you can get a larger eight-inch screen, which is a plus, but still not the biggest in this segment. An eight-inch screen can also be added on the XLE version along with a six-speaker audio system or an optional 11-speaker JBL system. Built-in navigation is in the base on Limited versions and optional on the XSE version, but with CarPlay and android.
Hybrid issues and RAV4 reliability
The 2020 model year was a good one for the RAV4, with no recalls at the time of writing, although one recall affected 2019 models that may have been at risk for loss of stability control and brake assist systems. Toyota's commitment to reliability is backed by a full warranty package that includes a three-year/36,000-mile base warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on hybrid components, and a battery warranty covering 10 years/150,000 miles.
RAV4 Hybrid Safety.
With a wide range of features and safety levels on all modifications, it's no surprise that the RAV4 Hybrid has received exemplary safety ratings: a full five stars from NHTSA, and the IIHS gave the RAV4 as a whole the institution's top rating for 2019.
Key Safety Features
Base models may have a limited list of features, but this does not affect safety in any way. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard on all variants, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beam control, lane departure warning and prevention, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign detection. This complements the standard safety arsenal of ABS, EBD, stability control and eight airbags (dual front, front side, side curtain and dual front knee). Front and rear parking sensors, as well as an all-around vision camera, are available in the maximum configurations, while blind spot monitoring is already present in all versions, starting with LE.
Verdict: Is the Toyota RAV4 2020 Hybrid a good SUV?
To summarize our analysis of the RAV4 Hybrid , we can safely say that nearly half a million people made a decent choice last year. This latest RAV4 absolutely deserves its status as the best-selling crossover in the United States, and the hybrid version is even better than the standard car. The RAV4 Hybrid is smoother, quieter and faster than the gasoline model, though it costs a bit more. And given the decent fuel economy the choice in favor of a hybrid seems obvious.
There are, of course, alternatives such as Honda CR-V and more sports options such as Mazda CX-5, but considering all indicators, and especially unattainable fuel economy, hybrid RAV4 is difficult to surpass. Well and having added here traditional for Toyota indicators of reliability, it is safely possible to recommend hybrid RAV4 as a purchase.
