the upper trims seem nicely equipped, but they're pretty much the same price as the larger and more powerful Sorento.
Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps some people don't want larger? And with more power comes more fuel consumed - I'd like to see the Sorento in any guise get 6.9L/100km in the city (to Kia's credit, I'd also like to see the Rav4 get this...in the city, the Corolla does in the mid-7s, so that would be great for an 'AWD' (well, FWD unless there's slippage) vehicle).
My first thought when I read this is that I could get a loaded WRX for less than this thing...and it'll hold resale the same or better. Kia cannot be said to be anywhere near that playing field.
Beyond responding to the needless comment above, the 2016 Rav4 changes seem to all be in the right direction. Whereas the loaded hybrid variant is $42,000 before freight/PDI, making it hella expensive, the Hybrid Limited without TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome :| Toyota needs to rethink this acronym) is actually a very nice bargain. For those who think they can drive themselves without aids, it's a $765 'upgrade' from the Rav4 Limited to the Hybrid Limited. Better fuel economy AND performance. Win-win for a not-so-big pricetag.
Then again, I like these driving aids, so I would likely shell out for them. BUT, whereas Subaru's EyeSight and Honda's HS are ~$1,000-$1,300 options, charging $2,675 for the system is robbery.
The manufacturer doesn’t quote a hybrid torque figure, but it’s safe to say it’s more than the gas model’s 172 lb-ft, given the torquey nature of electric motors.
I actually have a problem with this statement.
Take, for example, the Ford hybrid system, where the max Torque figure is posted - Despite the 188hp, it only produces 126lb-ft of torque.
Electric motors are not necessarily "torque-rich;" they simply produce maximum torque at 0 rpm.
The reason why Toyota doesn't list max torque is because it is dependent on which motors are working and when. The situations vary, and as such, max torque is sort of an obtuse figure in such a system. That, and placing the system on a dyno would be difficult as the rear motor would likely shut down mid-run.
The RX400h has been around since 2006 and was the first to utilize the eAWD set-up. Good luck finding a single dyno chart of one that is AWD (the FWD cars can be dyno'd).