Table of Contents
Introduction
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of the most popular compact SUVs in the market today, known for its excellent fuel efficiency, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. In this blog, we will be reviewing the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in detail, covering its key features, performance, and overall value for money.
Exterior Design
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasts a sleek and modern exterior design, with angular lines, a bold front grille, and distinctive LED headlights. The hybrid model also features unique 16-inch alloy wheels, giving it a distinctive look from its non-hybrid counterparts.
Dimensions
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a length of 176.4 inches, a width of 72.6 inches, and a height of 65.9 inches, making it one of the largest compact SUVs in its class. Despite its size, the RAV4 Hybrid has a low ground clearance of just 6.1 inches, making it easy to get in and out of the vehicle.
Body Style
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a compact SUV body style, with a raised ride height and a spacious, versatile interior. This makes it a popular choice for families and individuals who need a vehicle that can handle a variety of driving conditions, from city streets to rough terrain.
Color Options
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was available in several different color options, including Magnetic Gray Metallic, Ruby Flare Pearl, Silver Sky Metallic, and Super White.
Roof Rails
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also comes equipped with roof rails, which can be used to carry larger items such as bikes, kayaks, and luggage. The roof rails are available in a matte black finish and can be easily installed or removed as needed.
Interior Comfort
The interior of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is spacious and comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The cabin is also well-appointed, with high-quality materials and a range of advanced technologies, including a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a premium audio system.
Seating
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can seat up to five passengers, with a comfortable cloth or leather-trimmed seats. The front seats are supportive and offer good head and legroom, while the rear seats offer ample space for passengers and luggage.
Cargo Space
With the rear seats up, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which can be expanded to up to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes it an ideal vehicle for families who need a spacious and versatile interior.
Climate Control
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, which allows the driver and front passenger to set their desired temperature independently. The system also includes air conditioning and an air filter, helping to keep the cabin fresh and comfortable.
Infotainment System
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes equipped with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, which serves as the main interface for the vehicle’s infotainment system. The system includes features such as Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a premium audio system, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music and other media while on the road.
Interior Trim
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available with several different interior trim options, including fabric, leather, and simulated leather. The interior of the vehicle is well-appointed and features high-quality materials, including soft-touch surfaces, brushed metal accents, and a sleek, modern design.
Fuel Efficiency
One of the key selling points of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is its impressive fuel efficiency. With a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 34 mpg, the hybrid model offers significantly better fuel efficiency compared to the non-hybrid RAV4, which has a rating of 26 mpg.
Powertrain
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The combined power output of the system is 194 horsepower, which is sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Fuel Economy
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class, with an EPA-rated fuel economy of 34 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined. This represents a significant improvement over the standard gasoline-powered RAV4, which gets 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.
Drive Modes
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid includes several different drive modes that can be used to optimize fuel efficiency, including Eco, Normal, and Sport. The Eco mode is designed to maximize fuel economy by reducing engine power, while the Sport mode provides a more responsive driving experience with increased throttle response and steering effort.
Electric-Only Driving
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is capable of driving in electric-only mode for short distances, making it possible to save fuel in certain driving conditions. When the battery pack is depleted, the engine will automatically start to recharge the battery and provide additional power to the vehicle.
Performance
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor, which together produce a combined 194 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain delivers smooth and responsive acceleration, making it a pleasure to drive both in the city and on the highway.
Acceleration
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers brisk acceleration, with the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in around 8.1 seconds. This is due in part to the instant torque provided by the electric motor, which supplements the power of the gasoline engine.
Handling
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers confident handling and a comfortable ride, thanks in part to its well-tuned suspension and precise steering. The vehicle has a low center of gravity and a balanced weight distribution, which helps it to feel stable and secure on the road.
Braking
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with responsive and effective brakes, which provide good stopping power and modulation. The vehicle is also equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), which helps to maintain control of the vehicle in emergency braking situations.
All-Wheel Drive
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available with all-wheel drive, which provides additional traction and stability in inclement weather and on rough roads. The all-wheel-drive system is designed to automatically transfer power between the front and rear wheels as needed, helping to optimize traction and handling.
Off-Road Capability
Although the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not designed for serious off-roading, it does offer good ground clearance and a raised ride height, making it capable of handling light off-road conditions. The all-wheel-drive system can also provide added traction on slippery or uneven surfaces.
Safety Features
Airbags
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with multiple airbags, including front, side, and side curtain airbags, to help protect passengers in the event of a crash. The airbags are designed to deploy in a carefully controlled manner, providing maximum protection while minimizing the risk of injury.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), which helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle during sudden stops. ABS uses sensors to monitor the speed of each wheel and to automatically adjust the brake pressure as needed, helping to prevent wheel lock-up and skidding.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), which helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle during sudden maneuvers. ESC uses sensors to monitor the vehicle’s movement and to automatically apply the brakes as needed to help keep the vehicle on its intended path.
Traction Control
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with traction control, which helps the vehicle maintain traction on slippery surfaces. The system uses sensors to monitor wheel slip to automatically apply the brakes and reduce engine power as needed to help maintain traction.
Blind Spot Monitoring
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available with blind spot monitoring, which helps to alert the driver when a vehicle is in the blind spot. The system uses sensors to detect when a vehicle is in the blind spot and to provide an audible or visual warning to the driver, helping to reduce the risk of a collision.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available with a rear cross-traffic alert, which helps to alert the driver when a vehicle is approaching from the side as the driver is reversing. The system uses sensors to detect approaching vehicles and to provide an audible or visual warning to the driver, helping to reduce the risk of a collision.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fuel Efficiency: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market, delivering excellent fuel economy of up to 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
- Performance: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers a smooth and responsive driving experience, with good acceleration and handling performance.
- Interior Comfort: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is spacious and well-appointed, with a range of premium materials and advanced technology features.
- Safety Features: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is well-equipped with a range of advanced safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and more.
- Technology: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is equipped with a range of advanced technology features, including an infotainment system with a large touchscreen display, satellite navigation, premium audio, and more.
Cons
- Price: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is more expensive than the standard RAV4 model, which may be a barrier for some buyers.
- Trunk Space: While the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is spacious and comfortable, it does have a smaller trunk than some of its competitors, which may limit its appeal for those who need more cargo space.
- Noise: Some drivers may find that the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is noisier than they expected, especially when accelerating or driving on rough roads.
- Handling: While the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is generally well-balanced and handles well, some drivers may find that it is not as sporty or nimble as some other compact SUVs on the market.
Pricing
The pricing for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 varies depending on the specific model and trim level that you choose. Here is a rough idea of the starting MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) for different models of the 2020 Toyota RAV4:
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 LE: The starting MSRP for the RAV4 LE is approximately $25,000.
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE: The starting MSRP for the RAV4 XLE is approximately $27,000.
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium: The starting MSRP for the RAV4 XLE Premium is approximately $29,000.
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 Adventure: The starting MSRP for the RAV4 Adventure is approximately $32,000.
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 Limited: The starting MSRP for the RAV4 Limited is approximately $34,000.
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road: The starting MSRP for the RAV4 TRD Off-Road is approximately $35,000.
It’s important to note that the prices listed above are just starting MSRPs and do not include any additional options or upgrades. The actual price you pay for your 2020 Toyota RAV4 will depend on the dealer, the region, and any options or upgrades that you choose. To get an accurate and up-to-date price quote for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, it’s best to contact your local Toyota dealer.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a well-rounded compact SUV that offers a compelling combination of fuel efficiency, comfort, performance, and safety features. Whether you’re looking for a family vehicle or a practical and efficient daily driver, the RAV4 Hybrid is definitely worth considering.
