Driving Experience

On the road, the RAV4 Hybrid behaves in a fairly civilised and serene manner, never really making much of a fuss as it goes about its business as a family SUV. It’s not gonna blaze any trails or deliver much in terms of driving entertainment, but that’s not the point of this car anyway.

The 2.5-litre engine produces 176hp and 221Nm of torque on its own, which are pretty handy figures in itself. But the combined with the electric motor, total output bumps up to 215hp, and as a result the car is able to go from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds.

In the real world however, the RAV4 Hybrid doesn’t quite feels as brisk as its figures suggest. Perhaps it could be the added weight of the batteries and hybrid drivetrain that it has to lug around, or maybe it’s the nature of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox, but the RAV4 Hybrid does feel rather leisurely in its acceleration, with very little drama forthcoming as you put your right foot down. You’ll be able to keep up with traffic most of the time, but it’s never going to win many drag races.

It’s the same story in the corners too, with the RAV4 Hybrid clearly not designed to indulge the driver in any form of excitement. Turn into a bend vigorously and the car starts to exhibit copious amounts of understeer, imploring you to back off and take it easy. In return, it does offer a really rather comfortable ride quality, with the suspension coping well with all but the harshest of bumps.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s real strengths though is most definitely its efficiency. Toyota quotes an average fuel consumption figure of 4.7L/100km, and after a three day test drive we managed to better the official score by 0.1L/100km, achieved with a combination of regular urban and highway driving. It only goes to show how far Toyota’s hybrid technology has come, such that one can realistically achieve pretty stellar fuel economy figures without having to drastically alter one’s driving behaviour.

Pricing, Competitors and Conclusion 

At S$196,888 with COE, the RAV4 Hybrid does cost a pretty penny, and its 2.5-litre engine will incur a significant amount of road tax too. However, the sheer efficiency of the hybrid drivetrain means that you could potentially recoup some of that money back at the fuel pump, especially given how petrol prices have been rising rapidly in recent times.

There are no shortage of competitors in this fiercely-contested segment, but those within striking distance of the RAV4’s price range that also offer some form of electrification include the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and the MG HS PHEV. Of those, the Tucson does offer a much more stylish package, while the MG’s plug-in drivetrain allows you to drive further on electric power, thereby offering the possibility of even better overall efficiency.

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But ultimately, the appeal of the Toyota badge remains strong, and given the brand’s expertise in hybrid technology, the one thing you can be assured of getting out of the RAV4 Hybrid is dependability. And judging by the rate at which Toyota are rolling out hybrid models, that reputation is only going to grow even further in the years ahead. If you’re looking to take the plunge into hybrid motoring, there’s no better time than the present really.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Drivetrain	Petrol-electric full hybrid
Engine	2,487cc, inline 4
Power	176hp at 5700rpm
Torque	221Nm at 3600-5200rpm
Gearbox	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Electric Motor	118hp
Battery	Nickel metal hydride, 1.6kWh
System Power	215hp
0-100km/h	8.1 seconds
Top Speed	180km/h
VES Banding	A2 / -S$15,000
Fuel Efficiency	4.7L/100km
Agent	Borneo Motors
Price	S$196,888 with COE
Availability	Now
Verdict:	Hybrid RAV4 is practical, well-equipped and extremely efficient, if a somewhat unexciting drive

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