The new 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is Toyota's latest addition to the company's growing list of electic-gasoline hybrid crossovers. The car packs a powerful engine, thanks to its electric motor, and new high-end tech and security features.
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available in two trims; the LTD and XLE models. The LTD costs $34,510 while the XLE model costs $29,720, according to Auto Blog.
Both XLE and LTE trims features the four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor in the transaxle. The engine output is rated at 194-horsepower and a torque of 206 pound-feet.
The non-turbocharged engine combined with the electric motor has a mileage rate of 34mpg for city, 31mpg for highway and a combined EPA rating of 31mpg.
According to CNet, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can reach zero to 60mph in 8.1 seconds. This means that the new Hybrid model is a second faster compared to its gasoline-only counterpart. The extra acceleration was attributed by many analysts to the electric motor.
The rising popularity of hybrid cars is a good sign that people are looking for cleaner, environment friendly and most importantly more fuel efficient cars. The Environmental Protection Agency imposed a ruling that passenger vehicles should only produce about 5.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The more environment friendly hybrid models only produces 4.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Some models even emit lower carbon dioxide that the mentioned average.
Aside from fuel efficiency and more environment friendly, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 also features high-end tech. It includes the Toyota Safety Sense. A new tech feature that includes pre-collision braking.
Toyota has yet to confirm the official release date of the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid.