Does hybrid technology also work in an SUV body?
When you say hybrid, many people will think of Toyota. Everyone knows the Prius, Auris and Corolla Hybrid, but it doesn’t stop there. The larger RAV4 is also available with a hybrid powertrain, built around a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Is this popular SUV still a bit economical? We look at the practical figures.
These figures are based on the data of 17 owners who entered their fuel receipts in the AutoWeek Consumption Monitor. These cars are a mix of 2WD and AWD models, with the AWD having an additional electric motor on the rear axle.
Average consumption Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The extra electric motor does not seem to increase consumption, because the most economical RAV4 driver who has traveled a significant distance drives with the AWD. The score: 1 in 18.4 (5.4 l/100 km). It could be even more economical, but the owner who drove 1 to 22.7 (4.4 l/100 km) only managed this for 1,250 km. Not entirely representative, shall we say.
The worst value comes from a RAV4 Hybrid AWD from 2019, with which the owner drives an average of 1 in 14.1 (7.1 l/100 km). Part of the kilometers were covered with a caravan on the towbar. On average, the 17 RAV4 drivers note a consumption of 1 to 16.5 (6.2 l/100 km).
It is clear that the hybrid technology is paying off, because regular SUVs in this section do not come close to this 1 in 16.5. For example, a Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost gets stuck at 1 in 12.5 and the Opel Grandland does not do much better. The Kia Sportage Hybrid comes close, but here too Toyota shows its lead in the hybrid field.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl