This article states the Rav4 Hybrid will use the same powertrain design as in the Prius, but will have awd. The rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor. Various articles about the Rav4 Hybrid have variously stated that it has either two or three electric motors. Toyota's standard hybrid setup has, I believe, two electric motors in the transmission. Adding one at the rear axle makes three. This article says two. Could someone clear this up?
The mileage numbers are unimpressive. Perhaps real-world reports will be better. The Escape Hybrid, using an older version of this hybrid technology, with a less streamlined body, and lacking the ability to regenerate braking forces from the rear wheels, does better than this in real-world reports. I find it disappointing that the new Rav4 isn't significantly more efficient, let alone apparently less efficient. In summer conditions, my '09 Escape Hybrid with AWD averages 7l/100km. 40mpg Imperial.
Yet the Escape Hybrid with awd is also surprisingly capable for light off-roading. It uses a mechanical connection to a driveshaft to power the rear wheels. I'm curious to see if the rear electric motor of the Rav4 suffers from overheating and cuts out when you most need it.
I've heard Ford will be restoring the Escape Hybrid in a year or two. Ford touted the current Escape as making the Hybrid obsolete due to similar mileage. That was nonsense. And the C-Min was also not a replacement as it could not be equipped with awd.
It looks like the Rav4 Hybrid will cost thousands less than more-or-less equivalent Escape Hybrids did, however.
