Latest news with #RAV4PHEV
Man of Many
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Man of Many
What is a Super Hybrid? New Chinese Car Brand Catchphrase Explained
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 21 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Reported EV sales dropped 52% in Australia through June 2025 Chinese brands shift focus to 'Super Hybrid' plug-in hybrid technology 'Super Hybrid' simplifies confusing PHEV jargon Models like Geely, MG, Chery, and BYD lead the Super Hybrid push Toyota responds with upcoming RAV4 PHEV amid rising competition Electric vehicle sales have decreased by more than 52% through June 2025 in Australia, and that's bad news if you're a Chinese EV-only car brand that's trying to break into a new market. Brands like Zeekr, DEEPAL, Smart, Polestar, and Xpeng have their work cut out for them if they're going to stay as EV-only brands. However, the majority of Chinese car brands are now hedging their bets on hybrid technology, more specifically, 'Super Hybrid' technology. While their EVs are top-notch, their hybrids are even better, and that's a concern for market leaders like Toyota and its top-selling RAV4. It's also a worry for existing brands that have struggled to adapt to hybrids quickly, including Subaru, which only just launched the long-awaited Forester Hybrid. To dispel the complicated jargon associated with the different types of hybrid technology available, Chinese car brands have joined forces to create the term 'Super Hybrid,' which is another term for 'Plug-in Hybrid' or 'PHEV.' These vehicles have an engine, but can be driven for more than 100km with electric power only. It's genius, here's why. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Image: Supplied / Mitsubishi I've had nothing but trouble trying to explain the differences between PHEV, BEV, MHEV, and all of the other complicated jargon associated with hybrid technology in recent years. I understand it as someone who's driven nearly everything, but I've had nothing but trouble trying to explain the differences to friends and family. I could only imagine what dealers and those on the showroom floor are going through, having to try to explain the differences between the technology to potential buyers. Consumer understanding hasn't been helped by brands like Mitsubishi that have stuck 'EV' badges on the side of their vehicles that require petrol, but they're not the only culprits. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and others have been quick to label cars 'Hybrid' that use a simple 48-volt system, which never provides drive to the wheels. The Chinese brands have realised the issues and jumped in with an all-encompassing term that makes your life as a new car buyer easier by explaining these complicated products under one term, 'Super Hybrid.' Geely Starray EM-i | Image: Supplied / Geely To get granular, the term 'Super Hybrid' describes a 'Plug-in Hybrid' or 'PHEV' vehicle, which has a conventional petrol engine and gearbox, but also a large battery (that can be charged like an EV) and an electric motor that powers the wheels. These vehicles can be driven on electric power only for more than 100km in most cases and charged with a cable or the vehicle's engine. Most importantly, they can also be driven without even being plugged in by using the petrol engine as a traditional hybrid would. Geely is the latest Chinese car brand to ditch the EV-only showroom by launching the oddly-named Starray EM-i, which the brand is calling a 'Super Hybrid.' It features a 1.5-litre engine that produces 73kW of power alongside a 160kW electric motor powered by an 18.4kWh battery that can send a combined 193kW of power to the front wheels and drive for up to 80km on EV-only power. It will soon be joined in the market by other 'Super Hybrid' vehicles, including the Omoda 9 SHS (from $61,990 plus on-roads) and existing models in the market like the MG HS Super Hybrid (from $50,990 drive-away), top-selling BYD Sealion 6 (from AUD$42,990 plus on-roads), and the large Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid SUV (from $45,990 drive-away). Geely Starray EM-i | Image: Supplied / Geely If 'Super Hybrid' technology sounds like the best of EVs without the range anxiety, then you'd mostly be right. I've spent time behind the wheel of everything from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to a $250,000 Range Rover Sport PHEV and Defender that uses the same basic concept. During my test of these vehicles, I rarely used the petrol engine to drive the vehicle. I charged up the small battery overnight using a powerpoint and drove to work and back without ever using the petrol engine. However, there is one catch, as I experienced in the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV. If you become too lazy to charge the battery during the ownership period, PHEV or 'Super Hybrid' vehicles are terrible to drive. The added weight (often hundreds of kilograms) and underpowered petrol engine mean they're severely down on power, and without the added oomph of an electric motor driving the wheels, you spend the whole time wishing that you were driving a conventional hybrid. 2026 Toyota RAV4 | Image: Supplied / Toyota Therein lies Toyota's argument. Car buyers are lazy; they won't charge their PHEVs, and the Super Hybrid technology is merely a stepping-stone to a battery EV or a step backwards on the super-efficient hybrid technology that Toyota already offers. At least, it was their argument until they launched their new RAV4 with a PHEV variant. Toyota has sold 24,034 Hybrid RAV4s through June 2025. That figure is down 5.4% on where the top-selling car was this time last year, but it's one to watch as more 'Super Hybrid' models from Chinese brands hit our market in the coming months and Toyota's own plug-in hybrid RAV4 hits the market sometime next year. PHEV sales in Australia are up 10.5% so far this year, but the small number of cars sold through June 2025 (472 sales) does make you wonder just how many people are asking for this technology.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota's 2026 RAV4 Is Officially Hybrid-Only. That's a Very Big Deal.
Toyota's 2026 RAV4 Is Officially Hybrid-Only. That's a Very Big Deal. originally appeared on Autoblog. Toyota just unveiled the sixth-generation RAV4, and it's a massive update in more ways than one. The best-selling non-pickup in the U.S. is now only available with hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains. For a model that sold nearly half a million units last year, this isn't just a product refresh — it's a high-stakes bet on electrified drivetrains becoming mainstream. Following in the footsteps of the hybrid-only 2025 Camry, the new RAV4 eliminates the pure gas-powered option entirely starting with the 2026 model year. That means every RAV4 sold from now on will have at least one electric motor under the hood. The standard hybrid RAV4 gets a significant upgrade with Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine works with electric motors to produce 236 combined horsepower in AWD models, and 226 hp in FWD versions — the latter being a first for RAV4 hybrids. That's a healthy bump over the previous RAV4 gas model's 203 hp and should translate into better performance without sacrificing fuel economy. The plug-in hybrid version, meanwhile, uses a high-capacity battery and dual electric motors to generate up to 320 hp. That's 18 more horsepower than before, and it comes with a manufacturer-estimated electric-only range of 50 miles — a 20% boost over the outgoing RAV4 Prime. Even better, the new RAV4 PHEV now supports DC fast charging on XSE and Woodland trims, letting owners recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The RAV4 rides on Toyota's TNGA-K platform, which now features a stiffer structure and better insulation for reduced road noise and improved comfort. Inside, Toyota's latest Arene software platform powers a next-gen multimedia system and the newest version of its active safety suite, Toyota Safety Sense 4.0. Of course, the RAV4 Hybrid still burns gasoline, and that's a sticking point for environmentalists who say Toyota's strategy isn't aggressive enough. But in a country where EV sales growth is cooling and policy support is weakening, Toyota's strategy looks pragmatic. Hybrid sales already make up nearly half of Toyota's U.S. volume, and the RAV4's shift to a hybrid-only lineup could push that number even higher. Besides, the new RAV4's reveal is full of good news. Both hybrid and plug-in models get more power than before. The hybrid now makes 226 horsepower in front-wheel-drive configuration and 236 with all-wheel drive — the latter available for the first time on the Woodland trim. The plug-in hybrid gains a stronger battery and more efficient electric motors, helping push its combined output to 320 hp. The 2026 RAV4 won't solve climate change, but it may bring hundreds of thousands of American drivers into a more efficient, lower-emissions future — all while saving owners money at the pump. Toyota's 2026 RAV4 Is Officially Hybrid-Only. That's a Very Big Deal. first appeared on Autoblog on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Toyota RAV4 PHEV Copies Mitsubishi's Homework – And Made It Better
The Toyota RAV4 is finally here and is now completely hybrid, which is not surprising considering the success of the automaker's electrified models. Now in its sixth generation, America's bestselling nameplate (yes, even outselling the Ford F-150 in 2024) is flush with options, but all of them will be electrified in one way or another. There's a lot to unpack about the latest Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive, whichdiffers on every continent. However, the improvements on the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions particularly stand out in the sea of competing nameplates. Toyota practically copied Mitsubishi's homework for its new RAV4 PHEV – and somehow made everything better. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Never mind the GR Corolla-beating 320-horsepower output of the RAV PHEV – the new plug-in RAV4 debuts Toyota's sixth-generation PHEV powertrain, which also introduces DC charging to the popular nameplate for the first time. Available for the XSE and Woodland grades, this puts the RAV4 among the few PHEV models with fast-charging capabilities, with the ability to recharge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes via a CCS port. In comparison, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV also comes with DC fast charging at a slightly slower rate (38 minutes to 80%), but it has an aging and unpopular CHAdeMO standard, which is practically unusable in the US. Of course, charging times can vary depending on many factors, but the port alone does put the RAV4 PHEV ahead of its Mitsubishi rival. Worse, the RAV4 PHEV comes standard with an 11-kW onboard AC charger, while the Outlander PHEV only comes with a 3.7-kW AC charger. Without disclosing the figures, the Toyota will definitely have faster charging times at home. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article One of the advantages of PHEVs over non-plug-in ones is the capability to run on pure electricity without burning a single drop of fuel. For 2026, Toyota estimates the RAV PHEV to have an EV-only range of 50 miles – an improvement over the previous 42 miles of the outgoing models. That figure is also better than the Outlander PHEV, which has a paltry all-electric range of 38 miles. While a difference of just 12 miles might sound petty for some, it does matter for those who will use the SUV mostly within the city to take advantage of the gasoline-free usage. Without disclosing the exact capacity, Toyota appears to deliver more efficiency and utility from the battery of its sixth-generation PHEV powertrain. New Toyota RAV4 PHEV Copies Mitsubishi's Homework – And Made It Better first appeared on Autoblog on May 22, 2025
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
New Toyota RAV4 PHEV Copies Mitsubishi's Homework – And Made It Better
The Toyota RAV4 is finally here and is now completely hybrid, which is not surprising considering the success of the automaker's electrified models. Now in its sixth generation, America's bestselling nameplate (yes, even outselling the Ford F-150 in 2024) is flush with options, but all of them will be electrified in one way or another. There's a lot to unpack about the latest Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive, whichdiffers on every continent. However, the improvements on the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions particularly stand out in the sea of competing nameplates. Toyota practically copied Mitsubishi's homework for its new RAV4 PHEV – and somehow made everything better. Never mind the GR Corolla-beating 320-horsepower output of the RAV PHEV – the new plug-in RAV4 debuts Toyota's sixth-generation PHEV powertrain, which also introduces DC charging to the popular nameplate for the first time. Available for the XSE and Woodland grades, this puts the RAV4 among the few PHEV models with fast-charging capabilities, with the ability to recharge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes via a CCS port. In comparison, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV also comes with DC fast charging at a slightly slower rate (38 minutes to 80%), but it has an aging and unpopular CHAdeMO standard, which is practically unusable in the US. Of course, charging times can vary depending on many factors, but the port alone does put the RAV4 PHEV ahead of its Mitsubishi rival. Worse, the RAV4 PHEV comes standard with an 11-kW onboard AC charger, while the Outlander PHEV only comes with a 3.7-kW AC charger. Without disclosing the figures, the Toyota will definitely have faster charging times at home. One of the advantages of PHEVs over non-plug-in ones is the capability to run on pure electricity without burning a single drop of fuel. For 2026, Toyota estimates the RAV PHEV to have an EV-only range of 50 miles – an improvement over the previous 42 miles of the outgoing models. That figure is also better than the Outlander PHEV, which has a paltry all-electric range of 38 miles. While a difference of just 12 miles might sound petty for some, it does matter for those who will use the SUV mostly within the city to take advantage of the gasoline-free usage. Without disclosing the exact capacity, Toyota appears to deliver more efficiency and utility from the battery of its sixth-generation PHEV powertrain. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Edmunds
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Edmunds
2026 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2025 Hyundai Tucson: Plug-in Hybrids Compared
Engines and fuel economy The plug-in versions of both the RAV4 and the Tucson come standard with all-wheel drive. The 2026 Toyota is powered by an updated version of the automaker's PHEV system that Toyota says will produce up to 320 horsepower, although it doesn't say what would cause the system to make less. The Tucson PHEV uses a smaller engine with the aid of a turbocharger, producing 268 horsepower. The Toyota uses an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), whereas the Hyundai has an electrified conventional six-speed automatic to handle shifting duties; the latter has the familiar feeling of shifting between gears, while the former can move from one ratio to another without interrupting power. While we don't have fuel economy ratings for the new RAV4 PHEV, Toyota has shared that its all-electric range expands from 42 miles to 50 miles on a charge, in part thanks to a larger battery. The 2025 Tucson Plug-in manages just 32 miles per charge. The 2025 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid scores 35 mpg in the city, highway and combined metrics. For reference, the 2025 RAV4 PHEV beats those numbers, with 38 mpg combined (40 city/36 highway). Expect the 2026 version to meet or do better than the 2025's ratings.
