Get to Know the All-Wheel Drive System on the 2016 Rav4 Hybrid

Drive the 2016 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid to get the rare combination of a hybrid vehicle with all-wheel drive. In fact, the Rav4 Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive, but it isn’t the type of system you would find on a purely gas-powered vehicle. If you want a better idea of how the Rav4 Hybrid runs, then you will want to learn a bit more about the all-wheel drive system.

2016 Rav4 Hybrid AWD-i

The system in the Rav4 Hybrid is referred to as AWD-i, and it combines two systems that power the wheels separately. The 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine and permanent-magnet electric motor use a CVT automatic and send power to the front wheels. This is then combined with an electric motor that sends 67 horsepower to the rear wheels. The second system isn’t connected mechanically to the front wheels.

The Idea

The AWD-i system allows for a truly impressive amount of flexibility when it comes to splitting power between the front and rear wheels. Despite being an all-wheel drive model, the Rav4 Hybrid typically drives the front wheels. The system will examine your demands as the driver along with the position of the steering wheel. Based on this information, it anticipates wheel spin and will engage your rear wheels before the Rav4’s front wheels get the chance to slip. This system also allows for increased regenerative braking since it can capture the electrical energy via all four wheels. This is an improvement over most hybrids, where regenerative braking can only help with the two driven wheels.

Now that you know how the all-wheel drive system on the 2016 Rav4 Hybrid works, feel it in action on a test drive around Warrenton, VA. The team at Warrenton Toyota can answer your questions and arrange the test drive for you.