The first Toyota RAV4 modified the traditional SUV formula to make it more portable and enjoyable to drive. The tiny SUV changed over time into something a little more subdued, but the most recent model has been able to recapture some of the original model’s flair. The Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, and Honda CR-V are just a few examples of competitors, so Toyota had to step up its game with the RAV4, which is now available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, the former of which we’re focusing on today. The hybrid RAV4 is reasonably priced, has low operating costs, and requires no external power source to recharge.
The technology employed in the hybrid RAV4 has the advantage of using lost energy from the gasoline engine and brakes to power the battery; Toyota refers to this system as “self-charging” because it doesn’t require a plug-in. However, due to the battery’s size, you will only be able to drive for about a mile without producing any emissions. Instead, the battery serves to reduce the load on the gasoline engine and boost efficiency. With its larger battery and reduced company-car tax, the plug-in hybrid is preferable for longer electric range, but you’ll need a place to charge it overnight.
The design of the first-generation RAV4 was striking for its time, and the latest generation’s more angular design cues, distinctive headlights, and chunky wheelarches make it equally striking for contemporary tastes. This generation also represents an improvement over other earlier iterations, which had started to look drab. The company also sells the striking-looking Toyota C-HR, which has a comparable powertrain but isn’t quite as useful as the RAV4.