When it comes to determining the most economical 4×4 on the market today, there are three things that you need to take into consideration. First, are you determining economy by the price tag of the vehicle, or is it the best mpg 4×4; the cost of maintaining and running the vehicle that concerns you the most? Secondly, are you looking for a regular gas-powered vehicle, or are you willing to consider a hybrid?
The good news is that the answer to all of these questions can be answered by considering the Toyota RAV4. It has everything you need for a 4×4 that not only won’t break the bank when it comes to financing, but it also has the ability to take you anywhere you need to go, and to take you there in as economical a way as possible.
About the Toyota RAV4
First introduced in 1994, the Toyota RAV4 is a sporty, easy-driving, compact crossover SUV that holds the title of being the first ever compact crossover SUV. In fact, the success of the RAV4 helped to make way for other compact SUV’s from many other manufacturers.
The RAV4 has all of the features that you could possibly be looking for in an SUV. Its fuel economy is top of the line for an SUV and it has optional full-time four-wheel drive as well as considerable storage space and a roomy interior. It also has an incredibly powerful 3.5L V6 engine that gives it incredible strength and the energy to be able to handle even the most rugged of off-road conditions.
It is said that the 2012 RAV4 has been updated so that it will be getting close to 30mpg, a tremendous achievement for a 4×4; a class of vehicle that has a reputation for being not so very fuel efficient. The RAV4 also holds the record for being the fastest SUV in its class, and the RAV4’s sporty exterior encourages the view of the RAV4 as a hardy, multi-purpose vehicle whose off-road capabilities match its highway performance.
For 2012 the RAV4 will be joined by the RAV4 EV which will employ a hybrid drivetrain which will enable the new RAV4 EV to be capable of going up to 150 miles without having to refuel, an incredible achievement, even for a hybrid. The RAV4 EV, however, is not the most economical of cars when it comes to price tags. Currently it looks as if the RAV4 EV will cost in the vicinity of $40,000, where the standard gas-powered RAV4 starts at $22, 475.
In short, no matter what you are looking for or fuel efficiency, the RAV4 and the yet-to-be-released RAV4 EV have the handle on the best economic 4×4’s on the market.
