New York 2015: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Debuts

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Toyota is set to debut a hybrid RAV4. I’m not sure what’s taken them so long.

With the Lexus NX using a 2.5-liter 4-Cylinder paired with an electric motor, moving that drivetrain to its platform-mate, the RAV4, was an obvious choice. In the NX, it produces 200 hp while returning 33/30 mpg city/highway. Perhaps we’ll see slightly better numbers in the RAV4?

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Nguyenvuminh Nguyenvuminh on Mar 26, 2015

    @psarhjinian - I agree on the hybrid minivan sentiment. I'm puzzled by the lack of a hybrid minivan to date? What would be the financial reason not to offer a hybrid minivan (volume?). What would be the technical reason to not get hybrid into a minivan? I'd be curious to know the theory behind the absence of hybrid tech in a minivan. I am still enamored with small minivans like Mazda 5, what would have been the Grand C-Max, and other European versions and would love to see hybrid in those.

    • See 2 previous
    • SpinnyD SpinnyD on Mar 26, 2015

      There are no technical reasons against a Hybrid Minivan, Toyota has been selling them in japan for over a decade. They offer 6 right now on the Japanese Toyota site.(Estima, Vellfire, Voxy, Esquire, Noah and Alphard.) It is purely a financial reason.

  • Chicago Dude Chicago Dude on Mar 26, 2015

    33/30 is a perfectly fine fuel economy rating. I would prefer something like 33/35 but whatever. The Prius lineup is focused on maximum efficiency, the rest shouldn't be stuck on that type of implementation. Good performance and good economy is a great combination for a larger segment of the population.

  • Kuponoodles Kuponoodles on Mar 26, 2015

    Japanese and Europe Spec Prius V has a 7 seater option. we're just too damn fat in North America Are electric motors powerful enough to move a 2 ton North American "Mini Van"? Isn't that why the Highlander, Escalade, MB Bluetec or any other Hybrid tech on Large vehicles, a fruitless endeavors? They simply do not return the great MPG. When we see"hybrid" we think over 45 mpg... right? but it's because the electric motors are pushing small little compacts cars (prius V. 3200lbs rav4 3600lbs) and CUV's? I have 3 kids, and now have an Odyssey (4400lbs BEFORE stroller, carseat and other crap). I would love to see it return better City MPG. If the can reduce the weight by 1000lbs... they wouldnt even need electric motors to get over 30mpg. now, on the other side of the scale.. if they make a FT86/FRS/BRZ hybrid, instead of all this "lets turbo it" talk like it's 1994... then I'll have to dip into my kids college fund for a Japanese poor man's i8

  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Mar 27, 2015

    I wish Kia would hybridize the Sportage with the Optima Hybrid drivetrain. It should drop right in.

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