6 Benefits of Road Tripping in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

I drove the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid during spring break and was pleasantly surprised at how it added value to our Arizona to California road trip. I found the RAV4 fun to drive, comfortable, and technologically advanced. If you are looking for a solid vehicle for your road-tripping family, check out these six benefits of driving the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Reduced gas expenses. The downside to driving an SUV or crossover is usually a loss in fuel economy. Not so with the RAV4 Hybrid which boasts an impressive 34/30 mpg. With its 14.8 gallon tank, that adds up to over 400 miles per tank of gas. That makes me want to shout #letsgoplaces, baby!

Room with a view. The RAV4 is a crossover SUV which means while it is smaller than full-sized SUVs, it is bigger than most cars. My kiddos appreciated this since they love to look out the windows on road trips. The RAV4 sits up high enough to see over most of the guardrails and man-made features blocking the view of what we were driving past. My nine-year-old daughter snapped this picture of some wildflowers after she commented that she could see a lot from her seat.Safety. The RAV4 hybrid is absolutely loaded with safety features. Aside from the standard airbags, anti-lock brakes, and other features we are now all used to, Toyota has included an impressive myriad of safety features on many of its vehicles, including the RAV4 Hybrid. Here are a few of those features:

• Blind Spot Monitor – An available feature that lights up on your side view mirror to alert you to a vehicle in your blind spot.
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist – Notifies you with a beep and flashing light that you are drifting in your lane. Too many notifications and the car will suggest you get some rest.
• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection – Detects pedestrians and lets you know of a possible collision.

Convenience and comfort. The RAV4 Hybrid is very comfortable and that is important on road trips. My kiddos loved that the back seat could recline a little and that they could each recline separately. The vehicle also had very low cabin noise, heated seats, and soft leather. I also find crossovers very convenient for road trips because passengers can easily reach over into the top of the cargo area to grab items they need like pillows and blankets. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. This feature really belongs up in the safety category above. However, I loved it so much that I had to put it in a category of its own. I love to use cruise control on road trips, but I find that it can be a nuisance when in traffic. The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is different from the typical cruise control because it uses radar to detect when the vehicles in front of you are slowing down and getting too close. The vehicle reacts to this situation by slowing down and then speeding back up as the following distance increases. It is pretty amazing.

Style baby! The RAV4 Hybrid is very stylish. We drove an Electric Storm Blue RAV4 and it had a handsome leather interior and a bold and sporty look. It definitely stood out in a parking lot.

All of these perks and more combine to make a great choice for a road-trip loving family. Click the image below to go to the Toyota site and build your own RAV4 Hybrid (image from Toyota site).

Disclosure:  I was provided a RAV4 to drive to facilitate this post. #celebratingtoyota