“...it’s a quieter, smoother and more powerful car.”
Then what?
Than the $11,000 dollar least expensive conventional Rav4. We (my wife, me passenger) test drove one. I have yet to drive the one we purchased, but my wife really liked it. I have ridden in it as a passenger, and it is quiet and smooth. It really is a better car. Without the tax incentives and state rebates (9,000 total) I am not sure I would have gone the extra 11k, but it really is a better car, just maybe not 11k better. It also gets better gas mileage than the conventional in hybrid mode.