Toyota has just launched the new RAV4 Hybrid on the local market. First impressions are that it has the same lines as the rest of the range. Of course, we’re not grumbling here because it looks great. And it has plenty of road presence – our test model, a bright, look-at-me blue, attracted plenty of looks.

Toyota clearly has more hybrid models than any other car brand – eight of them. It’s almost easier to mention which models in Toyota’s line-up aren’t available as hybrids. For the record, those would mostly include trucks. And up until now, the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover was one of them. But not anymore.

Toyota plans to sell close to 300,000 RAV4s in 2016 and expects the RAV4 Hybrid to make up about 10 to 15 per cent of them. The new RAV4 is the only compact crossover in this class available as a hybrid, so it’s fairly unique. The RAV4 was last made new back in 2013, and this hybrid model benefits from the exciting new lines Toyota are presenting to all their range.

Compared to the old RAV4, the new generation has improved sealing and NVH countermeasures like increased sound- and vibration-damping material on the floor. The rear suspension has new mounts and more spot welds to stiffen up the structure and, according to Toyota, better isolate rear seat passengers from bumps in the road. All four corners receive a retuned suspension, too. The RAV4 appears a bit more butch on the outside, with a new nose and raised hood-line to appear a little more aggressive.

The RAV4 Hybrid follows Toyota’s conventional hybrid powertrain arrangement. In fact, the powertrain has been pulled, virtually unchanged, from the Lexus NX300h. However, the RAV4 is slightly lighter, so this is a case where the less-expensive model is probably a little quicker.

Under the hood is a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder that, when paired to the 105kW electric motor, generates 194 total system hp and 206 lb-ft of system torque. That power flows through a planetary gear set CVT with six speeds in sport mode, and on to a second electric motor that drives the rear wheels when needed. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack sits behind the rear seat and is the same one used in the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Cargo capacity is compromised slightly by the pack. But that’s one metric where the RAV4 has always been near the top of its class. So, even though the maximum cargo capacity is reduced by around three cubic feet, it still has a cavernous 70.6 cubic feet to haul your stuff.

Dig deeper into the throttle and there’s enough torque for most of what this hybrid will ever be asked to do

Around town, the RAV4 Hybrid is a sweet-natured crossover with a comfy and quiet ride. The hybrid’s EV mode makes for silent running up to 25mph. Drive with a gentle right foot and the system can maintain electric-only operation up to around a half mile and return a solid 33mpg combined, up from 25mpg combined on the conventional all-wheel-drive RAV4.

Dig deeper into the throttle and there’s enough torque for most of what this hybrid will ever be asked to do. After all, even though the hybrid system shaves about a second off the acceleration times of a normal RAV4, the stroll to 60mph in 8.1 seconds still isn’t very quick.

On the wonderfully twisty roads of Dingli asphalt the RAV4 Hybrid was reasonably composed but with a minimal amount of body roll when pushed hard. However, slide the shifter over to sport and the faux gears in the CVT do a good job of slowing the RAV4 on the downhill sections along with the regen brakes.

The Hybrid is only available in the RAV4’s top two trim levels: XLE and Limited. There’s no shortage of soft-touch materials or equipment and a seven-inch touchscreen is standard on both models. And Limited models wear larger 18-inch wheels, heated leather seats and are equipped with blind-spot monitoring and Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of technologies. The Advanced Tech package also includes a new Bird’s Eye View camera system, which allows a perimeter scan of anything that might be in the car’s way.

As a fuel-efficient way to haul a small family around, the RAV4 Hybrid makes great sense and provides plenty of happy commuting and travelling.

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