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2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Most Fuel Efficient SUV Ever - Consumer Reports

The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid tops the prior two SUV MPG champs, both of which are siblings of the RAV4 Hybrid.
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Most Fuel Efficient SUV Ever - Consumer Reports

In a recent test of the all-wheel drive 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE, Consumer Reports (CR) recorded 31 MPG overall. This makes the new RAV4 Hybrid the most fuel efficient SUV the group has ever tested (without a plug). The prior two MPG champs were the Lexus NX 300h and Lexus RX 450h. Each of those two vehicles returned 29 MPG in CR testing.

Consumer Reports testing varied from our own. In a recent week-long test of the RAV4 Hybrid Limited, we could not find a way to get less than 33 MPG. That included snowstorm testing and stop and go traffic. CR, by comparison found that the RAV4 Hybrid XLE returned just 26 MPG in city driving. On the highway, CR found the RAV4 Hybrid returned 36 MPG.

Note that CR does not attempt to replicate the EPA cycles. The EPA estimates consumers will get 33 Combined, 34 City, and 31 Highway.

The Consumer Reports story reporting these results concludes, “For those looking for maximum efficiency in an all-wheel-drive SUV, the RAV4 Hybrid shows that there isn’t a need to downgrade to a tiny, subcompact model, such as the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3, nor stretch the budgeted into luxury territory for the Lexus NX 300h or RX 450h.”

The piece has no author listed, or we would give him/her a shout out. It is dated May 10th. Consumer Reports is available by subscription.

Image courtesy of Toyota.

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Comments

Krista (not verified)    May 26, 2016 - 1:08AM

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I would have to agree with Consumer Reports results more than the EPA estimates. I have driven my Rav4 XLE Hybrid for 3 months now. I don't see how there would be a difference between the XLE and Limited versions in regards to MPG. When I compared packages I did not see extras on the Limited that would reduce gas usage except maybe the different types of cruise control. 26 is still a pretty good number, but still way below the EPA estimate. I have been averaging 23mpg city driving according to my dashboard today. They should bring the price down. After a couple extras, dealer add ons, taxes and stuff my SUV was almost 37 grand. I could have bought the regular Rav4 for much cheaper or the Tacoma I wanted.