Page 76 - MotorTrend (March 2020)

UPDATES

2019 Toyota RAV4

Service life:
2 mo/4,130 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 26.7 mpg

“Although I wouldn’t turn down
a posh Limited model, the RAV4
XLE has the right features at
the right price.” Kelly Lin

Avg CO2 0.73 lb/mi Energy cons 125 kW-hr/100 mi
Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0
Normal-wear cost $0 Base price $29,945 As-tested $31,509
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 25/33/28 mpg

W e’re getting Although there are some things cloth seats. The XLE is currently $36,900 with AWD, Limited
just $1,295 more expensive than
RAV4s feature a dark brown
comfortable with our
you can’t change, six trim
RAV4’s charms and levels provide plenty of ways the base (2020) model. interior, heated front seats,
quirks. Although it’s one of the for consumers to customize the About $2,700 more expensive and navigation, which you
most fuel-efficient entries in its RAV4. Which one hits the sweet than the XLE, the XLE Premium can probably skip in favor of
segment, it’s not as spacious spot? Let’s take a closer look. brings SofTex synthetic leather smartphone integration.
as some of its rivals. With 98.9 Base models have the upholstery and a power liftgate We think the XLE is the
cubic feet of passenger space, essentials, including a compre- and moonroof. Adventure trim where the best price
it falls short of the Honda CR-V hensive suite of safety features. models are more expensive still, and features intersect. At
(105.9), Mazda CX-5 (103.6), XLE models like our tester slot boasting a more aggressive $31,509, our RAV4 XLE comes
and Subaru Forester (111.9). just above the base trim and exterior with high-rise roof rails in comfortably below the
Rear legroom is 37.8 inches, feature alloy wheels, auto- and large over-fenders, as well average price of a new vehicle
putting it once again behind matic headlights and foglights, as increased ground clearance. today, even with options
the Honda (40.4), Mazda (39.6), dual-zone automatic climate It also gets an 8.0-inch touch- tacked on. Our tester has
and Subaru (39.4). Step inside, control, a power adjustable screen instead of the standard optional all-wheel drive and
and you’ll find the RAV4’s cabin driver's seat, Smart Key, and 7.0-incher. TRD Off-Road a Convenience package with
feels narrow. push-button start. If you’re the models build on this trim with the best features of the XLE
This is true no matter which no-frills type, there’s no need to special suspension, wheels, and Premium—a power liftgate and
version of the RAV4 you pick. upgrade from the comfortable tires for trail driving. Cresting moonroof—for under $1,300.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among
2019 Honda Insight the Honda Insight’s cool standard features.

flow of traffic, even down to a
1- to 2-second full stop before
resuming travel again. With
a stop longer than that, the
driver has to tap the accel-
erator to reengage the ACC
system. It’s all quite civilized—
and remarkable for our $25,229
hybrid. But as we’ve discov-
ered, it’s not perfect.
Service life: Cars and lines, yes. Lights and signs, no: Because ACC can
6 mo/7,156 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 48.7 mpg track the car ahead and provide a safe following distance and
LKA keeps the Insight centered in its lane, it’s easy to think the
“It’s all quite civilized—and remarkable systems see everything else around you—including approaching
for our $25,229 hybrid—but as we’ve stop signs and signal lights turning from orange to red. But they
discovered, the Insight isn’t perfect.” absolutely do not, so stay alert and engaged.
Edward Loh Slow, corners ahead: Say you have ACC set to 35 mph and it’s
Avg CO2 0.40 lb/mi Energy cons 69 kW-hr/100 mi tracking the car ahead. You’re both approaching a 90-degree
Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0 right-hand turn, and as the car ahead slows, so does your Insight.
Normal-wear cost $0 Base price $23,850 As-tested $25,390 But when the car ahead makes the turn and disappears from
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ: 55/49/52 mpg
view, your Insight no longer registers it and thus speeds up—right
into the corner. Not exactly what they teach you in driver’s ed—
n the time we’ve had our 2019 Honda Insight long-term loaner, and another reason to remain ever vigilant.
I we’ve mostly encountered stop-and-go city driving. We’ve Eyes up: In another scenario, imagine you’re cruising with ACC

used these miles to test the Honda Sensing suite of driver set to 35 mph again, but this time there’s no car being tracked
assistance features, primarily adaptive cruise control (ACC) and immediately ahead. In the distance, there’s a car in your lane,
lane keep assist (LKA). Although the systems must be activated stopped at a signal. The Insight should register it soon enough
separately, they work well in concert and provide just the tiniest and begin braking. My issue is one of personal preference: The
taste of what a driverless future may hold. With hands on wheel, system responds slower than I’d like. If I wait for the system to
ACC and LKA systems activated, and a cruising speed set, the engage, the response feels more like a panic stop, which is in
Insight stays within well-marked road lines and moves with the marked contrast to how the system works in stop-and-go traffic.

76 MOTORTREND.COM MARCH 2020