RAV4 hybrid experiences?

[bandit86]

My girlfriend's very liberal friend who doesn't need no man just bought herself a raft for hybrid, I tried steering her towards the plug-in hybrid but she doesn't want to deal with that yet I am pretty sure she's quoting plug in hybrid fuel economy rates. Anyways, on the subject of that, do you guys have experiences with the rav4s? I'll never afford one so this is strictly just curiosity. My brother has an Outlander plug-in hybrid and just loves it until the engine turns on

[Ecky]

I drive a 2024 for work. Extensive off-road use. Beat up the interior. It's a good car. We have Outlanders at work too and half of them smoke because of some kind of engine problem or other.

What do you want to know about it? Some random thoughts:

I'm finding I average around 5.5L/100km, or 43 US mpg. It has roof racks and is still on the original tires.

I liked how the previous generation of RAV4 diesel drives, better. We have one of those at the office as well. Not because it was more refined or comfortable, but because it feels much lower and more like a car (or gokart) with high door sills.

Of all the vehicles we have, the RAV4 Hybrid is probably the nicest to be inside. Stereo is more than fine. The tech generally all works. Seats are comfortable.

[bandit86]

Is that 5.5 for a gasoline model?

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

...We have Outlanders at work too and half of them smoke because of some kind of engine problem or other...

and:

Originally Posted by Ecky

...it is still ultimately a limitation due to the parasitic losses of just spinning the engine faster.

I assume you are aware of why I'm laughing?

[some_other_dave]

A former neighbor got the PHEV one, but where they live doesn't have outlets they can use to charge. They still get very good fuel economy without any hypermiling techniques. I think he said it was in the 40s?

-soD

[redpoint5]

It can charge from any standard 120v outlet, so who doesn't have access to that? It'll take all night, but what else are you gonna do?

[Logic]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

It can charge from any standard 120v outlet, so who doesn't have access to that? ...

Most of 'The New South Africa' (everyone was cheering about) for most of the day.

ie: A V2H Series Hybrid here, would be considered a highly mobile genset that just happens to be wherever you are...
If it occurred to anyone (here) in the 1st place!

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by bandit86

Is that 5.5 for a gasoline model?

RAV4 Hybrid.

EDIT: My takeaway, it beats the pants off of anything else we have at the office. There was a big push to get Outlander PHEVs for the zero emissions driving, but they have proven unreliable. There isn't a PHEV or even a good hybrid pickup option here yet (no Maverick), and the Toyota significantly beats Honda on price (Honda only sells the hybrid CR-V in top trims here).

Originally Posted by Logic

and:




I assume you are aware of why I'm laughing?

I looked through the thread and could make some guesses, but no.

[redpoint5]

As a tangent, listening to Autoline, the RAV4 going forward will either be hybrid, or plug-in hybrid.

I expected all vehicles with an ICE to go that route years ago since improving fleet MPG is good, and eliminating parts like an automatic transmission, starter motors, and other ICE only related equipment.

[Ecky]

It would be nice to see vehicles move to a higher voltage architecture too, though I understand the industry inertia that keeps this from happening.

With how cheap batteries have become, it's almost cheaper to build a hybrid.