Some vehicles arrive quietly and grow into success. Others simply dominate.
The Toyota RAV4 now falls squarely in the latter category. In a remarkable shift in the American auto market, Toyota’s compact SUV recently surpassed the long-dominant Ford F-150 to become the best-selling vehicle in the United States, ending a pickup-truck reign that lasted nearly half a century.
After spending time behind the wheel of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD, itap easy to see why.
Finished in Storm Cloud exterior paint with black interior trim, this hybrid SUV blends efficiency, technology and practicality in a way that resonates strongly with modern drivers.
To put it through its paces, we set out from Denver’s southeast neighborhoods on a loop that included Interstate 25, Santa Fe Drive, C-470 and Highway 285 with a few classic Colorado stops along the way.
From Denver to the foothills
The drive began heading south on I-25 before cutting west along Santa Fe toward the foothills. Soon the RAV4 was cruising along the C-470 beltway toward Morrison, a stretch of highway where hybrid efficiency shines. The cabin was quiet, the ride smooth and the electric motors provided brisk acceleration when needed.
Under the hood sits Toyota’s proven 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT) and electronic on-demand all-wheel drive.
Combined system output is about 219 horsepower, and the hybrid system’s instant electric torque helps the RAV4 accelerate from 0–60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, surprisingly quick for a compact SUV focused on efficiency.
Efficiency, of course, is the point. The RAV4 Hybrid is rated by the EPA at 43 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway and 41 mpg combined, impressive numbers for an all-wheel-drive SUV with plenty of interior space.
A stop at a Colorado landmark
Our route took us into Morrison and up to one of Colorado’s most distinctive dining destinations: The Fort Restaurant.
Perched on a hillside overlooking the foothills, The Fort is modeled after a historic 19th-century frontier trading post. Today itap one of Colorado’s best-known restaurants, offering a unique setting that blends Western history with fine dining.
The RAV4 looked perfectly at home parked outside the rustic wooden fort walls, where photos captured the contrast between modern hybrid technology and Colorado’s frontier past.
Longtime neighbors and friends Andre and Nancy Van Hall, who joined me on the test drive while awaiting delivery of their own RAV4 Hybrid, were enthusiastic.
They loved the ride, the quiet cabin and the remarkable fuel economy.
After a day behind the wheel, I understood their excitement.
A drive through Red Rocks
From The Fort we headed just minutes away to another iconic Colorado destination: Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Driving through the winding park roads offered a chance to test the RAV4’s handling. The electronic all-wheel-drive system provided confident traction as we climbed toward the amphitheater, passing towering sandstone formations that make Red Rocks one of the most spectacular concert venues in the world.
We drove through the tunnel beneath the amphitheater and up toward the top of the park for photos overlooking the plains before beginning the return trip.
Technology everywhere
Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid Limited offers an impressive mix of comfort and technology.
The centerpiece is a 12.9-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system paired with a JBL nine-speaker sound system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with SiriusXM capability.
The cabin also includes dual wireless phone chargers, five USB-C ports, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel.
Safety technology is equally comprehensive. Toyota’s Safety Sense 4.0 suite includes pre-collision warning, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, front cross-traffic alert and rear cross-traffic alert.
One particularly useful feature is the panoramic view monitor, which provides a bird’s-eye camera view of the vehicle when maneuvering in tight spaces. Advanced Park technology can even assist with parallel or perpendicular parking.
Why itap No. 1
After leaving Red Rocks we completed the loop back toward Denver via C-470 and Highway 285, which becomes Hampden Avenue as it enters the city, before heading north again along Santa Fe and Evans.
By the end of the drive, the reason for the RAV4’s extraordinary popularity was clear.
It simply checks all the boxes.
Itap efficient, comfortable, technologically advanced and practical for everyday driving.
Nationally, however, Toyota’s versatile compact SUV now stands at the top of the sales charts.
After a day driving the hybrid version through Denver and the foothills, that success makes perfect sense. We celebrated with dinner at Barbecue Riot at Evans and Santa Fe. The best! The RAV4 also made an appearance Tuesday at the famed Bull and Bush eatery in Glendale. Iconic!
Email: timwjacksoncae@gmail.com
Phone: 303-667-3995
