Featured I Just Finished My Review of the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid

i was thinking just the opposite, i'm glad you were pleasantly surprised.

 

Well written. One suggestion is to list the temps during your testing, I don't recall that and it would affect the HVAC operation.

But I'd love to know what MPG you get in other Prius variations over the same routes. The 43ish you got is 10 over EPA and more than I get in my v but the RAV4h is bigger, heavier, 4WD, has a larger displacement ICE, etc.

I drove a RAV4h for only about a mile and was likewise impressed. Enough so I'd want to give up 8 MPG EPA and the cash to swap cars, I didn't think so.

 

Yeah but didn't you test it in ideal local weather conditions for mileage? Fuelly shows that EPA estimates (or lower) for most vehicles are very close to real world when you average in the whole country with its varied climates and conditions and drivers. Me? I have a hard time matching EPA down here in the heat and wind in any vehicle.

The Rav hybrid wasn't yet available when I was shopping for a family all-arounder and bought our Subaru Outback. This was a shame since we owned an original '96 back in the day and loved it. A lot. So, I had some regrets when I heard the hybrid hit the market but no longer when I got to compare all the specs. The RAV optioned out the same as our loaded OutBack Limited is $1K more yet would only save $150 year in gas over our 4cyl. Plus, the RAV is smaller, heavier, lower tow rating, and lower safety rating. A bonus is the OutBack is the first car we've ever owned that is getting EPA or (slightly) better in our real world driving.

FWIW

 

If you took some vacation time:

• 4 days, 10 hours driving, 25 mph -> 1,000 miles (250 miles per day) ... one tank!

Leave that on the vehicle history. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

 

Was the one you drove in the picture? Just curious where the chrome tires came from.

 

Something still is unusual in your MPG results. Fuelly, for 61 cars 600+ fuelups RAV4 2.5/electric 2016 model, shows 33.6 MPG average with no one above 46.

I drive my v in ECO, when I can 3 miles below the highway speed limits, very mixed driving and AUTO HVAC settings with +3 PSI in the tires. I get spot on EPA numbers. So to me your getting so much higher than EPA and other drivers says you must be at least unconsciously using some technique that a person coming from a CRV would not be likely to use. Or there is some fuel shutoff at the pump or such that is skewing the numbers. (I've gotten 70+ MPG on an early shutoff followed by below 30 on the next tank so I'm especially conscious of the need for multi tank long term averages when citing my MPG.)

 

tony, i just realized i joined exactly one year after you. how weird is that?

 

Great review. I can definitely see where it punches the v sales. I only wish my v had push-button power hatch. When at the dealer, I played with it a few times, then sighed. Definitely a much more versatile cargo hold than mine as well. I will note that as nice as the new Rav4 is, I actually preferred driving the last gen.

It does appear that you get much better mileage from your cars than most, even without trying much.

 

Unofficial review from a buddy. New Prius down the street, and we have to look at the side view getting out of here. It's the darker grey color.

He saw it, and asked, "So Saturn is back in business?"

I laughed hard. Yes, it is ugly, and yes, from that side view, it does look like a 2016 Saturn. I've noticed that color has a much larger role in the looks of the Gen 4 than previous models. Most of the Gen 4's I've seen seem to have flat paint, making them a bit more drab. In the showroom, I almost started to like them. But as I see more and more on the road, I've lost that kinda feeling.

 

Drive for efficiency long enough, and you consciously have to try to not too.

 

Yeah, you're going to have good braking habits that will actually allow the system to regen, and good acceleration habits that keep the engine out of the most inefficient regimes.

There's a lot of people that don't anticipate lights, and run "WOT to ABS". WOT will hurt acceleration efficiency, ABS will prevent regen.

 

Ain't that the truth...sometimes I have to force myself not to go too slow to keep up with traffic.

Good review, considered the RAV4 Hybrid for awhile, great mileage for an CUV; the AWD, tons of extra space, and decent towing capability would've been nice to have for my occasional camping trips, but the Prius just made more sense for 95% of my needs...50MPG vs 33MPG is hard to overlook...I could probably coax it up to 35+ MPGs, but doubt I could hit 40+ in the review.

My dream is still a RAV4 Hybrid Plug-In...maybe in 10 years battery tech will get cheaper, smaller, and more efficient to make that one a reality without too many compromises.

 

I test drove one a few months back. I could see why people like SUV's and trucks, since I liked the higher seating position which allows you to see more of the road around you.

But to go from a Prius averaging 55 mpg, and then a Chevy Volt and not using gas for months at a time, for me the Rav4 hybrid would feel like a step backwards in terms of decreasing gas usage.

Not saying it's a bad car, and I'm sure I'm more of an outlier than a typical driver. I hope the average person who looks at ways of saving gas will consider this one.

 

Tony,
I'm glad you like the way it drives. Some of the reviews have been rather brutal, suggesting it almost feels unsafe. I'd be interested in hearing your comments on that.
I'm particularly interested because my wife is considering the VW diesel buyback plan, and one of her thoughts is she might want to get a RAV4 Hybrid instead.

 

Tony,

Thanks for the review. I just bought 2018 Rav4H LE for a great price and your review helped a lot. Although it was for 2016, I do not think there are major differences.

My 2005 Prius still doing fine with 340K miles also played a great deal in sealing the decision for me.