staff@slashgear.com (Chris Davies)
2024-04-07 14:15:29
www.slashgear.com
Although both SUVs are electrified, the drivetrain differs between the two. The Corolla Cross Hybrid pairs a 2.0-liter inline-four gas engine with three electric motors; the RAV4 Hybrid has a larger, 2.4-liter inline-four gas engine and two electric motors. Total system power is 219 hp in the RAV4 Hybrid and 196 hp in the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
Either way, the result is a perkier experience on the road compared to the gas-only versions. That’s partly a factor of having more power — the gas RAV4 makes 203 hp, and the gas Corolla Cross Hybrid makes 169 hp — but also how that power is delivered. While the electric motors may only be partly responsible for the total grunt, their immediate delivery of torque results in an SUV that feels more urgent, particularly at city speeds.
All-wheel drive is standard on both models, though, unlike their gas-only equivalents, there’s no physical connection between the engine at the front and the rear axle. Instead, they rely on what Toyota calls Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive, where a dedicated electric motor powers the rear axle when extra performance or traction is required.