For 2016, the Toyota RAV4 range expanded to include its first full hybrid model, together with a new 2.0-litre diesel engine, revised exterior and interior styling and new equipment grades and features.

The new RAV4 further benefits from improved ride comfort and driving dynamics, a quieter cabin with higher sensory quality, refreshed exterior styling and innovations in safety and useful advanced technologies. With hybrid power, customers further enjoy an exceptionally quiet and refined driving experience.

RAV4 Hybrid takes everything to another level. With the new 2.5-litre hybrid system, you get all the benefits of Toyota’s existing hybrid power trains together with the higher power from the larger displacement engine, higher capacity batteries and larger motors.

These qualities help make RAV4 Hybrid a great fit for family-oriented target customers. They are people who want a vehicle with a higher seating position with comfort, visibility and security. But they’re also are really focused on style, technology, innovation and quality.

RAV4 Hybrid is a credible alternative – it has something for everyone, without compromise. It’s simple to use – just push the start button, select the gear and drive. Immediately you’ll find just how smooth, quiet and intuitive to use it is.

This isn’t simply about a relaxing city driving experience. There is a lot more on offer. RAV4 Hybrid performs strongly in a wide variety of conditions. For instance, there’s immediate response when you need it, even from standstill. There’s power with class-leading in-gear acceleration, helping you to merge quickly and safely onto motorways, and there’s ease of control, combining the benefits of the hybrid system together with the e-CVT, and smooth and secure pulling away, especially in slippery conditions.

The technology provides all the benefits of an AWD system without the penalties of added weight

For customers who need a little more, the hybrid AWD additionally provides instantaneous all-wheel drive when you need it through the rear electric motor. The technology provides all the benefits of an AWD system without the penalties of additional weight and the higher fuel consumption associated with traditional 4x4 mechanical systems. The RAV4 Hybrid AWD also allows for greater towing capacity.

Everything Toyota has developed for the car has been focused on delivering a greater experience for its customers: more advanced styling, improved quality and innovation, but always with a clear functional benefit.

The new RAV4’s hybrid system combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a powerful electric motor. It is used in both front and all-wheel drive configurations, the latter equipped with Toyota’s E-Four system. This uses a second electric motor at the rear which provides automatic electronic all-wheel drive to give increased traction. The lightweight technology – there is no central propshaft – also gives RAV4 Hybrid a 1,650kg towing capacity.

Total system power is 194bhp (145kW), enabling nought to 62mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds. Class-leading fuel consumption is from 57.6mpg for the front-wheel drive model and 55.4mpg for the AWD version. CO2 emissions start at 115 and 118g/km, respectively.

The new hybrid leads a fully revised, Euro 6-compliant power train line-up for RAV4 that includes new 2.0-litre D-4D diesel and improved 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol engines.

The new diesel has maximum power of 141bhp (105kW) and produces substantial torque (320Nm maximum). Deployed from launch exclusively with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, it provides combined cycle fuel economy from 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions from 123g/km. The improved petrol engine is available in AWD RAV4 versions with a Multidrive S automated gearbox. It delivers 149bhp (111kW) with peak torque of 195Nm; the combined cycle benchmarks are from 43.5mpg and 152g/km.

All versions of the new RAV4, apart from the entry-level Active model, can be specified with Toyota Safety Sense to provide an impressive range of active safety and driver assistance features. Information and vehicle data are quickly and clearly communicated thanks to a new 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display in the centre of the instrument binnacle and the seven-inch full-colour central touchscreen that gives access to the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system.

For more information on Toyota and its products visit the Toyota showroom in Mdina Road, Zebbug, log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page or call on 2269 4000.

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