41 MPG highway mileage: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is more than impressive

41 MPG highway mileage: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is more than impressive

BY H. THROTTLE -- AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST

I’m very fond of Toyota RAV4s. The older models display the swingout truck gate with the fancy spare tire. Many of these models are still on the road with very satisfied consumers and high resell value.

However, It may be time to step up to the 2020 RAV4 that has all of the latest technology and safety systems earning the 2020 model a perfect overall five-star safety rating.

The test car this week is a RAV4 Hybrid XSE all-wheel drive SUV.

Along with the elimination of the stylish truck, Toyota has engineered a very efficient hybrid model that delivers an impressive 41 mpg in city driving and 38 on the freeways. Hybrid technology generates power for the battery system from stopping and starting friction leading to slightly lower highway mileage.

The vehicle is made in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada and is fully loaded with a total price of $38,074. Dealers must be having sales now, and this is an SUV that you don’t want to overlook.

The hybrid system, combined with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine linked to the variable transmission, makes for a spirted drive. Battery power gives an instant boost to the internal combustion engine providing formidable acceleration and excellent fuel economy.

Let’s not forget that this RAV4 has electronic on-demand all-wheel drive, so critical for winter driving in Colorado.

The RAV4 has two major safety systems with the Toyota Safety Sense package that includes the forward pre-collision and pedestrian protection. I really like the windshield roadside speed limit sign assists.

The RAV4 also has the STAR external and internal safety systems such as Smart Stop technology, backup cameras, the latest ABS braking system and eight airbags.

This vehicle has a formidable appearance and looks like an unmarked police cruiser with ”Blueprint/Midnight black paint” and 18” five-spoke black paint alloy wheels.

The interior has plush heated seats, loaded with navigation and sound controls, a JBL premium sound system as an upgrade. Four- UBS ports and a wireless smart phone charger.

My new neighbor Brian came over and looked at the 2020 hybrid. He has a recent RAV4 in his garage along with what appears to be a Toyota Camry. “My wife is a nurse,” he explained, and “she needed the all-wheel RAV4 for her work.”

This is the latest in auto science and technology and I’ve come to really admire the hybrids. This RAV4 has an 8-year-100,000-mile warranty on the hybrid system.

“Let’s Go Places” is the Toyota motto and this is a great drive for work, or play, with top performance, and outstanding fuel economy.