The 4 cylinder in our RAV4H is an interesting animal. That CVT can cruise at 65 with what sounds like 1200 rpm coming from the engine. I’d bet it’s WOT for least pumping losses, plus Atkinson cycle, plus dampening from the e-CVT. Smooth as butter. But cross 2500 rpm and it’s clear to me that engine sounds were “not care” in this vehicle, yet look underneath and there’s a bunch of aero-shaping on anything that touches air. Some things “definitely care!”
I ran 2 tanks of premium through it and the engine noise seemed less unpleasant (timing advance strategy?) but not enough to truly know if it pays off with any difference in mpg.
It’s not a smooth-sounding engine at 4000 rpm, but it seems to lay down good power in the RAV. I’d be ok DDing one - it certainly gets the job done.
I ran 2 tanks of premium through it and the engine noise seemed less unpleasant (timing advance strategy?) but not enough to truly know if it pays off with any difference in mpg.
It’s not a smooth-sounding engine at 4000 rpm, but it seems to lay down good power in the RAV. I’d be ok DDing one - it certainly gets the job done.
