The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 31 mpg in Consumer Reports testing has the best overall fuel economy of any SUV that doesn’t plug in CR said today. It returned 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway—better than most midsize cars. This bests previous CR mileage co-leaders, the Lexus NX 300h and Lexus RX 450h at 29 mpg overall. (See AutoInformed on 2016 RAV4 Joins Toyota Hybrid Lineup)
As AutoInformed noted at the New York Auto Show debut: This first-ever RAV4 Hybrid is part of a newly freshened RAV4 line. EPA fuel economy estimates were projected at then at 34 mpg city / 31 mpg highway / 33 mpg combined for both the XLE and Limited RAV4 Hybrid models. Just bring money, the MSRP for the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid will be $28,370 for the AWD XLE and $33,610 for the AWD Limited. This does not include the delivery, processing, and handling fee of $900.
CR bought and tested two all-wheel-drive models in XLE trim—a standard version and a hybrid. The hybrid cost about $700 more than the XLE: $29,753 vs $29,014.
The standard engine is a 176-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 0-60 mph time is roughly nine seconds with 24 mpg average, AutoInformed notes in the class. The hybrid version is stronger at lower speeds, because the combination of the electric drive system and the gas engine produces a total output of 194 horsepower. Electric mode typically disappears above 40 mph.
CR claims for people looking for maximum efficiency in an all-wheel-drive SUV, the RAV4 Hybrid shows there isn’t a need to downgrade to a, subcompact model, such as the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3, or stretch the budgeted into the luxury segment for the Lexus NX 300h or RX 450h.
