2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE Compact Crossover Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ย. 2018
- The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Compact Crossover employs some interesting tech when it comes to the hybrid all-wheel drive system, using not one, but two electric motors. Is this better than the standard mechanical system? We take a closer look in this review, plus a deep-dive into all the other features.
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My 2016 hybrid rav4 did fantastic in the New England winter weather.
Thank you for commenting. I'm in New England and looking at the battery recharging of my 2018 hybrid rav4 gets me nervous as we approach 30 to 20 degrees.
This is a GREAT daily driver for those who commute in heavy traffic everyday. I get an average of 6.3 L /100 km with mine, this is the best car I have owned!
Anyone who gets 30 MPG on the highway in this is really gunning it, and not using adaptive cruise! I’ve gotten near 40, several times. Nothing better than a hybrid when stuck in traffic, or a drive thru...
The biggest advantage of the AWD system is that it increases the towing capacity from 800kg to 1650kg.
I think I'm the only one who likes this exterior than the 2019.
Not only one....the 2019 model has zero aerodynamic front. Totally perpendicular to direction of drive, and the rear lights stick out wayyyyy too much! Horrid shape!
With you, and just bought a 2018 XLE Hybrid...the newer ones, to my eye, are a little too McRugged.
I bought one and LOVE it... pretty good gas mileage, very comfortable, lots of cargo space, even slept in the back on a cross country "COVID isolation" trip.
I was curious how you slept when in the 2018 Hybrid has the slight hump in the cargo area. Were you able to adjust it to be flat ?
@@yboddahu The hump was my pillow rest, and with a lot of added cushioning underneath, it was quite cosy, although I was happy to stretch out in a bed again at each end of the trip!
Hmm, I manage to drive my 2016 RAV4 Hybrid Limited for about a mile or two at 40 miles per hour before it kicks me out of EV mode. Not sure where you get the 25mph from. BTW: I manage to avg 37 mpg at 70 mph on the highway during my 70 mile commute to work (hint: use adaptive cruise control). Depending on the wind, it can get up to 39 mpg! Looking forward to installing my Comma 2 driver assist with OpenPilot, it’s way better than TSS-P 2.0. Another fun fact, if you accelerate on a dirt rode or in gravel (VSC on) it actually takes off surprisingly fast. The reason why you didn’t see 4 tire marks or the rear wheels over-driving is because they don’t have enough power to do that as the system is front wheel bias, BUT that doesn’t mean the system isn’t working. If the front wheels are receiving more power than the rear wheels, the rear wheels won’t have a chance to leave their mark as the front wheels do most of the work. That being said, without the rear motor adding it’s inout, you would see a lot more spin from the front tires which would lose traction even faster trying to get you up to speed. Again the electric motor is designed to reduce front wheel loss of traction not eliminate it. If you compared a front wheel drive RAV4 to this, you would notice the difference very quickly as the FWD model would take way longer getting up to speed and throw a lot more rocks out the back.
Your video popped up in my feed and I really liked it. I actually haven't seen too many reviews about the 2018 Rav4.
We have a 2018 XLE Hybrid with almost all of the features your test unit had but ours has half the mileage yours does at a little over 5,000 since new last March. We actually tested the same three you discussed. We liked the Honda as we felt it was a more 'upscale' vehicle in fit and finish, but no Hybrid option and as told by the Honda dealer, since it sells so well there weren't any financing incentives other than 2.9% at the time. The Rogue was OK, but the area dealer didn't have any hybrids and had no idea when they could get any. The Rav4 is very comfortable, fit and finish is first rate and we got ours at 0% interest for 60 months. With Toyota, we have previous experience with a Camry that got to almost 300,000 miles and a 2013 Prius but we wanted the better interior space and the things you talked about, comfort, economy and safety, and the Rav4 had all plus Toyota reliability.
We live up near Canada and usually get quite a bit of snow and wanted to have a vehicle that will be able to be used all of the winter instead of most of the winter as the Prius was and in reviews of earlier versions, the AWD system seems to work great in snow. We'll find out in a little over a month when it starts getting really cold and early snows.
I LOVE the adaptive cruise control and my wife really likes the other standard safety features. Our Rav4 has been consistent with never lower than 32 mpg and averaging 35 mpg with a few 37's in the mix too so we are very happy with that. Not the 45 mpg of the Prius but much more usable interior room than the Prius had and the all wheel drive the Prius doesn't have. I'm 6 feet tall and the front and back seating has really good leg room. I was impressed when we were on a test drive and have since tried out being in the back seats and still am impressed.
I read some of the other replies here and I've seen the videos and specs of the refresh with the 2019 but I read the 2019 Hybrid version won't be available until late January or February. When we bought ours I found out the gas models are built in the USA and the Hybrids are made in Japan which I thought was interesting. Good review! I'll see what else you come up with.
They should've released a first 2018 RAV4 HYBRID in Australia but instead we'll be getting it in next gen model
I have an 06 Highlander Hybrid with a similar AWD setup and the rear electric motor kicks in 100% when you press all the way on the throttle. That 80hp boost is what gives it its full power in addition to the added traction of course
I bought an 18 RAV4 XLE Hybrid. Although Booooring at 300 plus pages one interesting fact was what the owner's manual said about the "EV Mode." The manual emphasized the EV mode for indoor garages and in your own garage when you do not want to emit gasoline exhaust into a closed environment. Although they did mention the economy it is really for enclosed areas.
Here's what the Rav4 Hybrid AWD does very well: Recapture energy and charge the battery faster. Lift your foot off the accelerator the least little bit and two motors, not just one, instantly begin converting kinetic energy to electricity. Quick battery charge results in electric motor drive being available more of the time and reduced gas consumption.
The Eco-mode and Sport buttons make a big difference. I call one "turtle mode" and the other "giddy-up go". Sport button tightens steering, also, which takes getting used to.
I get 31 mpg stop-n-go commuting to work with AC on, used to get 11 mpg with my previous SUV about the same size.
hello, i just ordered mine today. do you always use sport mode? I loved the sport mode the torque is super amazing
What was your old SUV
Good summary, I get incredible mileage in mine, especially when I surge and glide. Quickly get up to speed (and charge the battery a bit) then let off in say a 40 MPH area, and you’re cruising on battery. Totally agree, eco and sport modes make a huge difference.
EV mode useless? RTFM. The reason Toyota added it was to provide an option to drive without pollution in a parking garage or driving silently out of your neighborhood early for those early commuters.
Seriously. These reviewers are whack sometimes
Brilliant video, very helpful especially in the 4 wheel test, ❤
Great in-depth review.
15:04 "...If somebody were to give me one (RAV4) - I would certainly take it..."))) Me too)))
Got the eurospec version early this year. The awd system is great for finnish winter conditions. The only letdown is the highway mpg.
I live in the UK. My 18 RAV4 hybrid works fine. The car wasn't built for serious off road driving but for ordinary roads when the going gets tough like snow and heavy rain. If you looked on the screen it lets one know when the rear motor kicks in and when it charges the battery. The car is not an Audi Quattro where you can boot it and spin all four wheels as you said a light foot will allow the computer to determine which wheels need to provide grip. In the UK many people buy SUV's like landrovers as a status symbol and never go off road ( Chelsea Tractors). The power on the RAV is about 155 hp from the front wheels and 65 hp on the rear so if one boots it the fronts will always pull better than the rear. It still does better than some of the front wheel drive SUV's on offer like the Peugeot 3008.
Dual climate control is awesome if you’re not had it before. Mode buttons make quite a bit of distance. EV mode is just for parking lots, pulling in garage/neighborhood late at night, etc. other hybrids often don’t have it.
That black strip between the taillights- where would i get one of those and what are they called- it would look great on my white excel hybrid excel with black wheels
EV mode is actually really useful if you are cruising around a neighborhood. I have been shopping for houses and I could go for a while on EV mode and it doesn't even cut on the engine.
How should i get the best mpg on a 2016 hybrid business edition..as it seems to consume a lot of gas ? Is it EV or Eco o,sport or something different ? It is only a front wheel driv
So.. the AWD would be perfect where I live then? (200 km south of the polar circle with 8 months of snow and ice on the roads)
Wondering how the battery holds up in -25°C though.
if the awd isnt 50/50 in the wheels would they still spin out?
Hi thank you for this Hybrid Rav4 review. I'm pretty excited for the 2019 Hybrid Rav4 version. Will you be doing a full review to see if Toyota fix the AWD system this time around? Let's excuse the Adventure trim of the 2019 Rav4 because it is not a hybrid. Thank you for your informative video which helps on my decision making for my next vehicle.
The RAV4 is simply the best❤
The test of a 4wd drive under these conditions doesn‘t mean... ‚as lot‘
The implimentation is about safety and stability- therefore the front wheel are allowed to do more...
I love toyota rav4 hybrid 👍💖
I have a 2017 SE Hybrid and I have to say the AWD system is not very good. Last winter with snow tires I still got a lot of front wheel spin in slippery conditions while the rear wheels didn’t seem to do much even though the display showed power going to the rear motor. I think the rear motor is underpowered. It just doesn’t have enough torque to keep up with the front motor and engine under hard acceleration. I think toyota has put a more powerful electric motor in the rear of the upcoming 2019 and that might help.
Where this car shines is in stop and go traffic and that’s why I bought one. In town mileage is excellent because the engine doesn’t run very often. I use this car in town 95% of the time and it gets about 50% better mileage than the gas RAV4. I like the hybrid and it works great for my situation but I wouldn’t buy one for highway driving because the fuel consumption is not much better than a gas model which has a much better AWD system.
I liked your review...and I'm a brit.
EV button allows you to seat in the car and use the appliances without having to resort to the gas engine. Specially when waiting for my daughter or the significant other.
Is that Country Squire still available?
Muy interesante, gracias
2017 has safety system too. And it is a base model.
Good job go toyota very smart way
I will cross shop the 2019 as it looks much better. However The subaru crosstrek gets about the same millage without hybrid so depending on how the Rav 4 drives I will chose between these two and mazda5 possibly
So you think AWD is supposed to SLIP? That’s idiotic. It works, just not as well as the gas AWD. It’s a huge improvement on ice, where slipping would be a huge problem.
Okay Mr. reviewer here's a suggestion: you might actually want to do some research on the vehicle you're reviewing before you start your review, so you can speak intelligently about its features. I suggest people look at Alex on Autos. There's a guy who does his research.
This guy is hinging on being obnoxious. The word Jackass comes to mind. I owned a Prius for 15 months, and I don't think that EV mode is useless. I found it very beneficial when sitting in a drive-through, and I wanted to conserve gas in the wintertime. It will prevent the engine from starting to provide heat. It keeps the interior a little cooler, but it also conserves fuel. That's a useful feature. I guess you could use it to maneuver in a parking lot as well, so that's two instances where it's useful.
Sport mode makes extra horsepower available to the rear wheels, as it engages the electric motor. Instead of 150+ horsepower you have the full horsepower available, thus the vehicle is "sportier". Obviously this guy did no research, but has no problem criticizing features he knows nothing about.
I also had to laugh at the all-wheel-drive demonstration. The worst thing you could possibly do if you're on a slippery surface is give the vehicle full throttle. That's a good way to go out of control real fast. You want to ease the gas pedal down, and that's when the all-wheel-drive system really shines. Toyota did not design this as an off-road vehicle, which he points out, but then goes into criticizing when it doesn't perform well in an off-road situation, duh!
He also turns off the traction control, which would help keep the vehicle from going off the road, so kind of a pointless demonstration combined with attitude. Again the guy needs to do some research. Nothing worse than somebody criticizing something when they know nothing about it. Again the word "jackass" comes to mind. Horrible review.
I suggest people look at Alex on autos if they want a good, thorough review of the automobile.
You're of course welcome to your own opinion. That does not invalidate our opinion. We find the EV mode useless compared to the current state-of-the-art available in other vehicles. The application of the EV motor makes this sportier... than what? A Prius? An ox cart? It sounds like you didn't like our conclusion.We stand by them. (PS: Alex gets plenty wrong in his videos. He calls Subaru's X-Mode "X-Drive" in his current Forester video. Lol.)
Troy D it’s not an off-road vehicle, but it has a AWD. The AWD in my Subaru Forester let’s me drive up level 5 Jeep trails.
Troy D I am looking forward to the 2019 model. I hope they improved the system enough. I’ll be trusting DrivingSports TV to do a proper video review, as the other guys don’t know what they are doing when off-roading except TFL. But I trust the DrivingSportsTV man the most 👍
Troy D I agree with you. Now a days everyone with a camera review cars. And say whatever comes to their mind, without doing a research. And that AWD system demo was nonsense.
@@BA-ht8bg
The problem with taking Troy D's opinion as better than most is that he starts by comparing his experience with his Prius to someone else's experience in a RAV4.
Think about it, both are hybrids, both are built by Toyota, but can you say they are VERY SIMILAR?
I too found a few "holes" in this test. For example: I believe (JUST AN OPINION, SO NO ATTACKS) that there are 2 trim levels under the SE so that the tester's amazement that an AWD, hybrid vehicle can be sold for under $36-37K needs to be modified.
As far as the "usefulness" of the EV mode, or SPORT mode settings, several magazines and videos have stated the opinion that these have little to no effect on the RAV4 driving experience. Maybe they do in a Prius?
But I will grant that SOMETIMES turning off Traction Control may seem to be counterproductive if you don't want to get stuck or if stuck you want to get unstuck. Yes, minimal throttle is a good idea, but as I understand it, some manufacturers have Traction Control that is too...cautious, and therefore will not allow you to get unstuck in some situations.
Bought a used 2017 model. Lovely car and I'm averaging around 38 mpg, which is pretty good for a car it's size.
But my only complaint.....i find the cabin to be quite noisy due to road and wind noise. Does anyone else have this issue?
I've had my 18 Hybrid Rav4 since 18 and found out the hard way on the AWD-i. It's useless. Great for scooting around town... but I think a carolla would do better off road or on ice here in Seattle
Miss my moms rav4
This should be the hottest SUV on the market
7:24 LOL, keys? It’s completely keyless. Why would you ever have your key out at all in the car? Only if the battery in it was low.
"Tesla P100 D" Inferring the Model X I am guessing. P100D is basically a trim level on different vehicles in the Tesla lineup.
It's still an utility appliance, works well, but nothing to excite about. A perfect mall van and a rental car. The next gen is way better looking, and hopefully drives better too, on and off road, bring 4 back into RAV4.
III
13:00 it seems that the "4WD" is only active for careful driving on snow. I think you should have tested on steep uphill on gravel or sand with full throttle. It may be that it's implemented with the same ECU that's normally controlling haldex system and it will not engage rear wheels until the front has been slipping for some time. For haldex system that was required because it uses tiny clutch pack and activating that too often would rapidly wear the clutch pack. For fully electric rear axle they could do better, though.
Update: here's additional tests for the 4WD system: th-cam.com/video/oxluunv9Ebg/w-d-xo.html (it seems that it actually supports driving the real wheels but there's no rear wheel diff locking, mechanical nor ESP brake activated).
I think Outlander PHEV is the better choice for the slippery conditions and hybrid motors
Nice 👌.. my next vehicle.. my Ford is junk
how tall is the host? will a 6'2" guy fit?
Ryan is 6’1”
haw many ml. with no charge?
It won’t let it the battery run out.It will use the gas engine to recharge before it ever gets to that point.
It can't be plugged in - everything comes from the engine.
good, but in '17 & 18 they were giving 5-7K$ back on these, in some months-- not good for the Yota's bottomline.
I guess when is full throttle the system translates that as "ok only the gasoline engine" so no electric motor and rear wheels engade and vice versa ...25% throttle "ok I can use the electric motor" and voala
I thought the RAV4 was built in Ontario, Canada?
Final assembly is at the Aichi Japan plant.
2019 model
does anyone else get 27mpg in the winter?
Dork
Or you could get a 2019 Subaru Forester hybrid which has 7.9” of ground clearance and proper AWD.
No Forester hybrid yet. Not due until next year.
It's not for anything more than going to the store?
Ask my buddy who takes his Celica on the jeep trails.
+stevey500 design intent and actual use often vary. I’ve seen old cars do things that nobody designed them for. Also: your friend sounds like our kind of guy.
Ew Acura MDX hybrid? I'll take the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid instead
2019 is better than this one
Anyone who says dual climate control is not very exciting is a man who never been on long road trip with his wife. There should be a study of how many marriages have been saved because of dual climate controls.
To many left - Toyota need to sell old RAV4 before new model is coming! Nice try!
Yet more unnecessary, intrusive, irritating background noise - WHY?????
This guy is so annoying!
New rav2019 is better then this piece of crap, 3rd gen way also better looking then this.
And you've driven a 2019? What are you basing your opinion on? A spec sheet? This vehicle is also now in his fourth generation. Toyota has sold over 9 million Prius vehicles. They know how to manufacture dependable hybrids. I hardly think it's a piece of crap, maybe just not for you. 400,000 other people seem to like it.
@@Deltro61 my.opinon is on looks, ive got a 3rd gen it to be honest. Its better looking then the current.4th gen, the reason i wouldn't. Waste my time getting 4th. Gen, coz it looks shit, seems like.u have.never.own a rav4 before.. learn your facts..hahhaha
Roughie king You call a car a piece of crap based on look... a real car connaisseur.