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SALES • LEASING • SERVICE QUICK LANE • PARTS
15815 Yonge Street, Aurora
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Thursday, May 19, 2016
ROAD TEST
ROAD TEST
Lorne Drury
Jim Robinson
Metroland Media Toyota has long been the leader in hybrid technology with no fewer than seven hybrids in its lineup and another six in the Lexus fleet. For many, the world’s first hybrid, the Prius, is what first comes to mind when one thinks of this gas-electric technology. But in addition to the four Prius variants, Toyota has been able to turn its Camry and Highlander models into hybrid success stories. So it comes as no surprise that the compact RAV4 crossover is the latest Toyota to get the hybrid treatment for 2016. Toyota has rolled out this new hybrid as part of a mid-cycle refresh of the fourth-generation RAV4, which made its debut in 2013. The RAV4 itself has been around more than 20 years and spawned the compact SUV revolution. Given the success of the Camry Hybrid, Toyota has high hopes the RAV4 Hybrid will also be a hit among compact crossover buyers who place fuel economy at or near the top of the must-have list. The five-passenger RAV4 is Toyota’s second-best selling vehicle behind the Corolla and closing in fast. Toyota hopes to sell 40,000 of these crossovers this year and that’s good news for Canada as the gasoline model is built at the firm’s Woodstock, Ont. plant. The hybrid, tested here, comes from Japan, however Toyota has announced the next generation hybrid will also be built in Woodstock. Toyota uses the same hybrid synergy drive that powers the Lexus NX 300h AWD. Power comes from a 2.5-litre
Metroland Media
Escape gets major makeover for 2017
Toyota brings a hybrid
to the RAV4 lineup
The RAV4 Hybrid is the seventh gas-electric hybrid in the Toyota lineup.
inline four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, combined with a pair of high-torque electric motors and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The second electric motor on the rear axle powers the rear wheels when slippage is detected. The hybrid system combines to produce 194 net hp and 206 lb/ft of torque with a Natural Resources Canada fuel efficiency rating of 6.9/7.6/7.2 L/100 km city/highway/combined. This is more power and better fuel economy than its gasolineonly powered RAV4 stablemate. The RAV4 Hybrid has a towing capacity of 795 kg (1,750 lb) and is nearly a second faster in the 0-100
km/h sprint than the gasoline-only variant. Energy for the hybrid’s electric system is produced through regenerative braking and stored in a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack for use when the vehicle is in electric mode (EV) at low speeds. EV is one of four selectable drive modes along with Normal, Sport and Eco, allowing drivers to dial up vehicle efficiency and responsiveness. Two trim levels are offered in the RAV4 Hybrid, an XLE that we tested and a top-shelf Limited. Prices start at $34,465 for the XLE and $38,265 for the Limited.
In contrast, the gasoline version of the XLE AWD starts at $31,900 and the Limited AWD $37,750. The XLE Hybrid comes very well decked out with comfort features like dual zone automatic climate six-speaker audio system with 6.1-inch screen, power rear hatch, heated front seats, power moon roof and more. In the upmarket Limited, features include a seven-inch display screen with integrated XM satellite radio and navigation system, leather seating surfaces, and LED headlamps. The Limited can be further upgraded with the Technology Turn to page W4
LEFT: The interior of the RAV4 Hybrid XLE comes decked out with features like a six-speaker audio system with 6.1-inch screen.. RIGHT: Power comes from a 2.5-litre, inline four-cylinder and high-performance electric motor for a combined 194 hp and 206 lb/ft of torque.
JASPER, AB: In the high stakes Canadian compact crossover arena, no detail can be overlooked and that certainly applies to the 2017 Ford Escape. SUV/CUVs now make up one third of vehicle sales in Canada and the U.S., which Ford expects to grow to 40 per cent by 2020. Last year, sales in the U.S. topped five million, and in Canada, more than 700,000. So for the 2017 model, Ford made sure not to change what makes Escape so popular, but to improve it inside and out.
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With smaller, frugal but powerful new engines, the Escape has more to offer than ever.
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There are three trim levels starting with the base S with a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder producing 168 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel rating is 11.1/8.1L/100 km city/highway. There are two new EcoBoost engines available for the mid-trim SE and toptrim Titanium. Standard on the SE and Titanium is stop/ start technology, which Ford says improves fuel economy by 4-6 per cent in stop-and-go traffic. The 1.5-litre EcoBoost direct injection engine produces 179 hp and 177 lb/ft of torque, while the 2.0-litre EcoBoost direct injection unit makes 245 hp and 275 lb/ft of torque both with a six-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifter. Front-wheel-drive is standard on the SE and Titanium with all-wheeldrive available. Fuel consumption on the 1.5litre (FWD/AWD) is 10.2/7.9L/100 km and 10.7/8.3L/100 km respectively city/highway. With the 2.0Turn to page W3
Nothing But The Best Sales Event. Enjoy the best of our 2016 lineup with 3 months payments waived or $2,000 in cash credits on select models. 2016 C 300 4MATIC Sedan TOTAL PRICE: $46,381* Lease rate
Lease payment
Plus receive
Receive up to
2.9% $368 3 months OR $2,000 **
45 months
**
$6,085 down
††
†
payments waived
in cash credits
*Taxes extra.
Mercedes-Benz Newmarket, 230 Mulock Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 9B8, 905.853.6868, www.newmarket.mercedes-benz.ca © 2016 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2016 C 300 4MATIC Sedan shown above with optional Premium Package ($3,700), Sport Package ($1,500), Active LED High Performance Lighting System ($1,200) and 19” AMG wheels ($500), Total Price $53,281. Lease and finance offers based on the 2016 C 300 4MATIC Sedan are available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit for a limited time. *Total price of $46,381 for advertised vehicle includes MSRP plus all applicable dealer fees. **Lease example based on $368 per month for 45 months with a down payment or equivalent trade of $6,085. Freight/PDI of $1,995, dealer admin fee of $395, air-conditioning levy of $100, EHF tires, filters, batteries of up to $29.70, PPSA of $51.15 and OMVIC fee of $10 are due at signing. First month’s payment plus security deposit of $400 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $43,800. Lease APR of 2.9% applies. Total obligation is $25,575. 18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). ††As a cost of credit the incentive for cash customers of $2,000, is only available to customers who do not finance or lease a 2016 C 300 4MATIC through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. †First, second and third month payment waivers are capped for the 2016 C 300 4MATIC up to a total of $450 (including taxes) for lease programs and up to a total of $650 (including taxes) for finance programs. Vehicle license, insurance, registration, and taxes are extra. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Relations Centre at 1-800-387-0100. Offers end May 31, 2016.