[PHOTOS] Toyota Adds Eighth Hybrid to Lineup in 2016 RAV4
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota is known for its hybrid vehicles. The Prius lineup is probably the best-known, but Toyota also offers hybrid versions of some of its most popular models, like the Camry, Highlander, and Avalon. Now, Toyota is gearing up to add a hybrid version of its RAV4 crossover for the 2016 model year, giving the automaker a grand total of eight hybrid vehicles in its lineup.
Compare: Learn about the 2015 Toyota RAV4
The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a small high-torque electric motor. This combination has a total output of 206 lb-ft of torque (compared to the gasoline version’s 172 lb-ft of torque). The RAV4 Hybrid also comes with regenerative braking that turns the electric motor into a generator that harnesses kinetic energy that’s produced when the brakes are applied and stores it in the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid battery pack.
The hybrid crossover also offers several operating modes, including EV mode, which allows the RAV4 Hybrid to run on electric only for up to 0.6 miles at speeds below 25 mph.
Thanks to its powerful hybrid engine, the RAV4 Hybrid can go from 0 to 60 in 8.1 seconds—almost one second faster than the gas-only RAV4. While this speed is hardly worthy of the race track, it’s certainly impressive for a compact crossover.
More Toyota Models: Check out the 2015 Toyota Camry
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 carries an MSRP of $28,370 for the XLE model, and $33,610 for the Limited trim.
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