The Houston Auto show is a highlight for my family each year as it is in our own backyard per say, and my kids get to come to an event that often I travel for to other cities. They get to see some of the cars, trucks, and SUV’s that I have been able to test drive and experience. During the week of the Houston Auto show I was able to test drive another family vehicle that combines fuel efficiency and sportiness.
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited may seem like a smaller SUV from the outside, but the inside boasts more leg room than you might expect. My kids often get squished in the backseat of vehicles between their backpacks and just how small most vehicles seem to be on the inside. The RAV4 was comfortable for me to drive, and no complaints from the kiddos. While the rear cargo area isn’t massive, it is sufficient for getting groceries to storing most of our soccer gear that we use each week.
I will say that I am on the fence when it comes to hybrid vehicles. I appreciate the fuel savings that they bring. I was able to average around 30 mpg while I had the Toyota RAV4, but it lacks power. Just in everyday driving and accelerating, it just seemed like the vehicle struggled to get moving. A vehicle should not struggle as much as this one did just to move at normal speeds. There needs to be a way for a hybrid to get the proper power to it while still giving you the most fuel efficiency possible. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice power and normal driving for that to happen. I am sure there is a difference in power in the non-hybrid version, so keep that in mind when deciding whether you would want a hybrid or not.
The look of the 2017 Rav4 is sporty with some edgier lines and design. It is the perfect vehicle for smaller families or even singles who might need the space for hauling gear as they go camping on the weekends, but yet need fuel savings for weekly driving to the office in traffic. The version I drove was the Limited so it had some upgrades with an advanced technology package as well as leather and a power foot activated lift-gate.
2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited in Galactic Aqua: MSRP $36,700
- Hybrid Synergy Drive System
- 2.5L 4-cyl engine
- All wheel drive
- Toyota Safety Sense(standard on all 2018 models)
- Star Safety System
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- 18″ alloy wheels
- Power moonroof
- LED lights
- Dual zone climate control
- Backup Camera
- Heated front seats
- Reclining and fold flat rear seats
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