RAV4 hybrid
Quite impressed in the showroom, but has anyone any experience of towing with a hybrid at all?
Comments
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I read an article in (I think) the CAMC magazine about hybrids.
It was fairly superficial, but I believe that about the only suitable one for towing was the Mitsubishi PHEV which had a tow limit of about 1500kg
The article confirmed that 'electric' power cannot be used for towing.
It also said that most hybrids had an extremely limited range on 'electric' because their batteries were only charged by things like regenerative braking.......which gives hardly any top up to the batteries.
Even the ones that are charged via the mains have limited range.....maybe 60 miles.
Until there is a massive improvement in batteries, I see little practicality in these vehicles, other than for short commutes.
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Hi, we tow with an Outlander PHEV. From being fully charged, the battery power is gone in around 20 miles, then we're on petrol.
We get about 30 miles from the battery without the van, which does us most of the time. Rarely have to put petrol in.
It's a good stable tow, but the engine works hard and is noisy on hills.
There are definitely much better towcars out there. But as an all rounder for a 1 car family it suits our needs. We really like it. ( But we're biased😉)
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Would not consider the PHEV. having spoken to several owners they all thought it useless as a proper towing vehicle. OK as a domestic vehicle for use on shorter journeys but even then no more than average.
The RAV4 does seem much more user friendly but would need to see an extended towing report before I committed myself.
TF
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