The new 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is aimed at buyers who want a stylish vehicle with a mix of coupe and hatchback styling and decent performance. The Hybrid vehicles are quite popular these days and they are no longer deemed as vehicles meant for environment aware and wealthy shoppers alone. With developments in hybrid car engine tech and plummeting price of hybrid cars, mainstream car buyers are warming up to them.
The Japan based Toyota motors which are a big player in this segment is trying to woo more buyers by unveiling hybrid variants of its popular moles. The Prius hybrid is a top seller but now Toyota has come up with the RAV4 hybrid.
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Enhanced by Sharp Body Contours
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not very different looking than the regular fuel version. The menacing look is enhanced by sharp body contours, sleek headlamps, and slimline grille. The cabin is roomy but tall passengers at rear row may feel a little stuffy.
Owing to the battery pack, storage is down to 35.6 cubic feet from 38.4 cubic feet. The SofTex vinyl upholstery, however, does not look premium and plastic quality in the cabin is not exactly top notch. This is where the RAV4 hybrid loses out to rivals from stables of VW and GM by a margin. It will be sold in three trims- SE, XLE and Limited.
Safety Features
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid loads enough features and amenities. It scores well on safety ground too.
The XLE trim comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, rearview camera, automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity. You also get advanced safety systems like automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning.
The SE trim gets LED lighting, blind-spot monitoring, 18-inch wheels, simulated-leather upholstery, power liftgate and heated front seats. In range topping Limited trim, you also get parking sensors, 7-inch touch screen, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. Limited and SE trims can be laden with JBL sound system and an Advance Technology package. All trims get plenty of airbags and a rearview camera.
Engine Specifications of the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes laden with a peppy powertrain that offers enough juice for urban driving along with occasional highway usage. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is paired with 2 electric motors. The AWD powertrain has an output of 194 HP. The mixed fuel economy is 32 MPG – which is quite decent. The acceleration is not blazing fast but it is actually faster than what the nonhybrid RAV4 offers.
Expected Price and Release Date
The company is yet to announce exact pricing for 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. However, the price for base trim will begin at $30,000 approx. It will be released in late 2017.
Summing it up
The Toyota is aiming to woo the peppy urban users with the 2018 RAV4 Hybrid. The car is stylish and hybrid powertrain offers good performance overall. The cargo space is also decent for its class. However, it is in cabin material quality that the vehicle loses out to rivals from stables of Honda and Nissan.
