My longing to see the world is fierce, and inevitably, some destinations can only be reached by plane. But I secretly breathe a sigh of relief when I can plan a road trip, particularly when I’m traveling with my kids. So many of the frustrations associated with travel (i.e. packing 2 weeks worth of necessities in a suitcase that will only hold half of those items, rushing to catch a flight, having to rely on public transportation once you reach your destination), are allayed when you can take a road trip. I also find that in most instances, a road trip is often more affordable than a vacation that requires air travel.
Right before my kids went back to school, we took one final summer road trip, thanks to Toyota. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo, and in partnership with the brand, we headed down South for a mini end-of-summer staycation. The 2017 Nighttime Zoo is a limited-time experience where families have a unique opportunity to see the zoo come alive at night. With extended hours, brand new nighttime entertainment, and the newly opened Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks exhibit, a visit to the San Diego Zoo is the perfect way to end the summer.
2017 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid: 5 Reasons Families Will Love This SUV
We headed down to San Diego in Toyota’s brand new 2017 Rav4 Hybrid XLE. As a previous Toyota owner, I was particularly excited about the efficiency of this vehicle. I have owned a Camry and two 4Runners, so I was already familiar with the brand as a whole. The Rav4 is Toyota’s Compact Crossover SUV and is ideal for families of four or five who are looking for a versatile vehicle that is comfortable, stylish and efficient. With Toyota’s Hybrid model, you will benefit from the vehicle’s efficient, hybrid fuel/electric system while still enjoying the space, higher vehicle profile, and optional all wheel drive.
Safety
Safety has always topped my list of priorities when shopping for a vehicle. Even as a young adult purchasing her very first car, I consulted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of my research. The 2017 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, integrated safety systems designed to protect you and the passengers in your vehicle from harm.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Cruise control has helped maintain a sense of sanity during very long road trips. It has also prevented or minimized that cramp in my leg that can occur with prolonged driving. This features works like cruise control, but uses forward-sensing radar technology to adjust speed while maintaining a present distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: In certain situations, this feature can detect pedestrians using millimeter radar and a camera capable of recognizing shapes. This system will trigger an audible warning and a display notification to alert you of a possible collision. If you do not react, automatic breaking and collision-avoidance support is given to prevent a collision. Fortunately, I did not have an opportunity to experience this feature first-hand, however, it is invaluable and showcases the advanced technology Toyota is employing in its vehicles to ensure safety and prevent collisions.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Designed to help you stay in hour lane, this feature will signal an audible beep and flashing light on the instrument panel when you drift into another lane. I first noticed this feature when I was attempting to switch lanes without a signal. As soon as my vehicle crossed the dotted white line, I heard the control panel signal a beep.
- Automatic High Beams: The Toyota Rav4 is equipped with a windshield camera to aid nighttime driving. This camera can detect headlights and tail lights of preceding vehicles and toggle between high and low beams. Most of my nighttime driving was through the city, so I did not have an opportunity to experience this particular feature, however, I can say that on long road trips this would be useful to avoid continuously switching between high and low beams.
- Star Safety System: In addition to the above safety features, the Toyota Rav4 is equipped with six standard safety features including Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology. In combination with the above safety features, eight airbags, and a blind spot mirror, Toyota ensures that safety is the priority.
Efficiency
Living in Southern California means that I drive…a lot. Gas prices are always highest in our state, so efficiency is one of my top priorities when contemplating a new vehicle purchase. The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE can achieve an efficiency of 34 MPG city and 30 MPG highway. Choose from 3 driver-selectable modes (EV, ECO, and Sport) to customize your drive. Opt for ECO mode (which I used during my one-week loan) to maximize fuel economy. And under certain conditions, you can choose to drive using solely the battery when you select EV mode. Use the Hybrid gauge cluster to track when your system is charging and providing power to the drive wheels.
Luxury
I have driven enough vehicles to have a sense of the features I need versus those that would be nice to have. Some of my favorite luxury features of the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE include the Smart Key System, which makes opening the vehicle and starting the engine easy with just a touch of a button, as long as the key is in your purse or pocket. This is extremely helpful when carrying groceries or luggage to and from the vehicle.
I’ve also found that Navigation and a Rear View Camera are a must. The Rav4 Hybrid XLE includes a backup camera with projected path dynamic lines, which makes backing into a spot seamless. The Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation App is the Rav4’s radio/navigation system. It includes advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capability, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (subscription required), HD Radio, Traffic and Weather (in major metro areas), and Siri Eyes Free. I relied on this intuitive system to help navigate me around San Diego safely as I explored the city’s shops and restaurants.
Style
The very first vehicle I purchased on my own was a Toyota 4Runner. I still adore the look of that vehicle. I have always preferred an SUV when it comes to style and performance. The Rav4 in some ways reminds me of the 4Runner. It was completely redesigned in 2013 and updated last year. The exterior of the vehicle is sleek and bold and the alloy wheels contribute to a sporty aesthetic. The interior of the vehicle is roomy and comfortable with a dash that exudes luxury and technology.
Price
The 2017 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE is ideal for a family of four or five. An expansive, comfortable interior is complimented by a spacious cargo area. There is ample room for luggage or other items you might need on a road trip. The vehicle’s efficiency makes it ideal for road trips of any length. The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE is competitively priced at $27,895, making the entry into an SUV achievable.
For additional information, visit Toyota.com/Rav4.
{Consideration provided by Toyota}
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I love the Rav-4, I will need a new car in a few years and this is on my watch list!