I was negotiating the I-30/U.S. 59 flyover, lining up for that sinuous, downhill off-ramp, merge into three lanes, exit-to-University-Avenue-thingy, when it struck me that hybrid technology has evolved into the most driver-friendly form of auto-motion.
I was able to handle deceleration, acceleration into a curve and then deceleration toward a stop sign with one foot. Our tester, a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD responded immediately to throttle because hybrids have no torque lag. It also responded immediately to the removal of throttle because the system captures energy through regeneration, which also helps slow the car.
Those two dynamics result in a surprisingly pleasant feel: The system sort of takes the edge off both acceleration and braking maneuvers. Combine that with the more engaging driving characteristics and more sophisticated ride and handling that Toyota achieved when it put the RAV4 on a new platform this year, and one has a compact SUV that feels like a near-luxury sedan.
The smart play
The differences are quite astounding; yet, that is not why we would tell you to go out and buy a new RAV4 Hybrid. Nor would we tell you to buy one because, at 40 mpg, it lets you go 537 miles between fillups.
We wouldn't even tell you to go buy a RAV4 hybrid because, starting at $27,850, it is reasonably priced; nor because the Canadien-built RAV4 is the best selling vehicle in America that isn't a pickup; nor because over the last decade, it has the best reliability of any vehicle on the road.
We would tell you to buy a RAV4 hybrid because it is the smartest car on the road in two ways.
Smartest propulsion
Toyota has been selling hybrid cars for 22 years and, one would assume, pretty much has the bugs worked out. A hybrid drive adds around $2,200 to the cost of a RAV4, but the financial benefits are enormous.
Not only is fuel efficiency a third better than the regular RAV4 (which we all should seek for reasons more than economic) but hybrids reduce the strain on brakes, cooling systems, belts, hoses. That translates to lower maintenance costs.
More importantly, the system results in all-wheel-drive, which is inherently safer. A rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels. A second motor, along with a 176-hp. 2.5-L inline-four powers the front. The total system output is 219 hp, 16 more than the gas-only variant.
The hybrid is quick off the line, 7.4 seconds for 0 to 60) and is wicked quick when making passing moves out on the highway.
A 1.6-kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is small enough to fit under the rear seat, so cargo and passenger volume are identical to non-hybrid versions.
Finally, because the gas engine is not forced to work as hard, the hybrid RAV4 is quieter than its gas-fired cousins.
Best safety
The most important reason we'd tell you to try the RAV4 hybrid, however, is that Toyota doesn't make its customers spend $6,000 or more to get up-to-date safety gear. Toyota Safety Sense is standard on every vehicle that Toyota builds. That includes:
Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Able to detect a vehicle ahead, a pedestrian or bicyclist, the system will warn the driver and, if needed, hit the brakes to avoid a collision.
Dynamic radar cruise control. This allows the vehicle to match speed of a vehicle ahead, including bringing itself to a halt and accelerating again when traffic begins to move. This is a life-saver in sudden-stop situations and a stress reliever in traffic jams.
Lane departure alert with steering assist. Simply put, the vehicle keeps itself in its own lane, which avoids over-correction rollovers, and prevents drifting into another lane.
Automatic high beams. This handles the bright lights for the driver.
New lane tracing assist. If lane markings suddenly disappear, such as in a construction zone, the system identifies the center of the lane and keeps the vehicle centered. This helps reduce driver burden in traffic congestion and on long trips.
New road sign assist. The car keeps an eye out for signs such as Stop, Yield, Do Not Enter and Speed Limit and alerts the driver.
Did we mention smart?
The RAV4 also comes equipped with something Toyota calls Predictive Efficient Drive. it analyzes driving habits and the expected road and traffic conditions to optimize hybrid battery charging and discharging. The more the RAV4 Hybrid is driven, the more data is gathered to help optimize fuel consumption.
For example, it could draw more from the battery before a downhill section to maximize the benefit of regeneration on the downhill section. If traffic congestion is ahead, the system will actively charge the battery beforehand, so that the vehicle can rely more on battery power when it reaches that congestion.
Bottom line
We like the RAV4 because it is roomy, yet maneuverable, fuel-efficient, yet comfortable, and reliable as an old plow horse.