RAV4 2020 Hybrid FWD towing braked capacity 800kg

[pg94boat]

Hi would anyone know why the FWD 2020 Hybrid RAV4 only has 800kg braked trailer towing limit, as I was looking  to tow a caravan 1400kg with mine but now this would invalidate insurance, so might have to swap to the AWD version which has  1650kg 

[ernieb]

I it’s because it’s the 2wd version. Interestingly the PHEV has a reduced baked capacity of 1500Kg rather than 1650kg.

[philip42h]

I'd guess that the FWD is reduced because of the reduction in traction / lack of rear motor, while the PHEV is reduced because it's carrying too much weight already ... 😉  It appears that braked towing capacity is as much to do with marketing and homologation decisions as it is to engineering considerations.

If you want to 'go large' you could also consider a Highlander with a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.

[PeteB]

As Philip says, the extra motor at the rear, though not particularly powerful, does add some extra power (knocks about a third of a second off the 0-60 time), it also as he says gives extra traction and balance plus moves the centre of gravity slightly more towards the rear.

[ernieb]

It’s also going to add some extra weight on the rear axel.

[pg94boat]

Hi appreciate all the responses thanks Peter