It's not the emotional choice for me (that would be the Mazda CX-50), but the rational side of me would go with an Limited Hybrid over anything else in the segment.
The 2019+ RAV4 Thread
It's the world's most popular compact SUV by a hearty margin. It comes in gas, hybrid, and EV versions. It's cheapish. There are luxury trims and trims you can wheel on the Rubicon. It can tow 3,500 lbs. It's reliable. It has a decent aftermarket. It even looks good. There's a reason you see them everywhere.
But what does TCL think of it?
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But what does TCL think of it?
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I was actually fooling around yesterday on the configurator. The XLE Hybrid with cold weather package is in the low $30s and has everything I would want. No wonder they are everywhere. My heart would still probably choose the CX-5 though. It’s really no shock sedans are fading off because the pricing of these for what you get is really hard to argue.
We had a 2021 XSE Hybrid for one year. Didn't like it. Tons of wind noise above 35mph. Side mirrors shook and vibrated at highway speed (even after the TSB was done). A lot of engine noise made its way into the cabin. Struggled with power on longer hills with the battery depleted. Cup holders tapered at the bottom so coffee mugs rarely sat flat. We didn't find the seats comfortable at all, but that's really up to personal preference. On long road trips (4-7hrs) these factors made for a fatiguing ride.
The electric gauge cluster was very hard to see when it was sunny. Tinting the windows helped a little bit. We had the blueprint color with gloss black trim (xls) and it was a PITA to keep clean. All the little nooks a crannies would drain water every after drying and leave streaks and spots everywhere. The blueprint seemed to scratch easy. The gloss black wheels really clashed against Michelin tires which seemed to go gray/brown quickly. Would have preferred a light color with basic plastic trim. Wish the tailgate opened higher. I'm 6' and hit my head a lot.
Likes included: 39-40mpg without much effort, easy to use climate control system, good headlights, pano roof was nice, extremely good resale as expected.
Edit: Pics below reminded me of another dislike. The inside door pulls are very far forward and can make it difficult for little kids to close the back doors.
The electric gauge cluster was very hard to see when it was sunny. Tinting the windows helped a little bit. We had the blueprint color with gloss black trim (xls) and it was a PITA to keep clean. All the little nooks a crannies would drain water every after drying and leave streaks and spots everywhere. The blueprint seemed to scratch easy. The gloss black wheels really clashed against Michelin tires which seemed to go gray/brown quickly. Would have preferred a light color with basic plastic trim. Wish the tailgate opened higher. I'm 6' and hit my head a lot.
Likes included: 39-40mpg without much effort, easy to use climate control system, good headlights, pano roof was nice, extremely good resale as expected.
Edit: Pics below reminded me of another dislike. The inside door pulls are very far forward and can make it difficult for little kids to close the back doors.
"It's a car for sheeple and has no soul. It doesn't come in either diesel or manual. CUV's killed our beloved sedans and wagons. I hate it but my wife and mother each drive one."But what does TCL think of it?
cross shopped an XSE Hybrid with the GT-AWD CX-5 in early 2020. $38k (+tax+fees) vs $31k OTD. CX-5 won easily. I miiight have purchased the more expensive Rav4 Hybrid but it was lacking standard features of the CX-5.
you drive an e-golf microwave, and a nissan. people who live in glass houses..."It's a car for sheeple and has no soul.
i'm a "no manual no care" guy, but why would you want either of these terrible options in a 3600lbs, 15 foot-long, 6 foot-tall, 70cu-ft cargo space, people mover CUV? they would sell exactly zero of these. congrats on being literally the only person on the planet not happy that the rav4 doesn't come with a Flintstone's caveman powertrain.It doesn't come in either diesel or manual.
In limited exposure, I find it to be a typical Bank of Toyota product. Mediocre but with the Toyota combo of high resale value/expected longevity and low expected problems/ownership expense.
Guy, he wrote that in quotes...
I think most people do ship around, and most people find it hard to walk away from a vehicle known to be reliable that is also the cheapest in the segment, even though it's no Miata.People that buy these clearly do not shop around.
Imagine writing a PhD thesis using an article from the The OnionGuy, he wrote that in quotes...
you drive an e-golf microwave, and a nissan. people who live in glass houses...
i'm a "no manual no care" guy, but why would you want either of these terrible options in a 3600lbs, 15 foot-long, 6 foot-tall, 70cu-ft cargo space, people mover CUV? they would sell exactly zero of these. congrats on being literally the only person on the planet not happy that the rav4 doesn't come with a Flintstone's caveman powertrain.
Thank you VVQ. 🍺Guy, he wrote that in quotes...
Col Mustard, since you didn't pick up on the sarcasm/humor, I'll have you know that my wife dailies our Accord Hybrid and my mother drives a Subaru Forester, which as we all know is a COMPLETELY different vehicle from a RAV4.
Someone slept during “Introduction to The Car Lounge: Exploring the Wants and So-Called ‘Needs’ Only Found On One Minuscule Corner of the Internet 101.”you drive an e-golf microwave, and a nissan. people who live in glass houses...
i'm a "no manual no care" guy, but why would you want either of these terrible options in a 3600lbs, 15 foot-long, 6 foot-tall, 70cu-ft cargo space, people mover CUV? they would sell exactly zero of these. congrats on being literally the only person on the planet not happy that the rav4 doesn't come with a Flintstone's caveman powertrain.
I hear they don't do too well in parking lot floods.
We have a Forester because the price was right, but I'm sure we'd be just as happy with a RAV4. They're everywhere for a reason.
Easy way to get your wife to impulse buy a Subaru thoI hear they don't do too well in parking lot floods.
I've rented a lot of cars in this class and I'd still buy the Rav4. At least for us, next car has to be a Hybrid at minimum so that knocks out the CX-5 which looks nicer but no Hybrid so no care. Also every time I rent one of those they seem great for the first day or so then start to feel cheap as time goes on...can't put my finger on it but not a fan. We also do lots of road trips so the car has to have a spare tire which knocks out the more expensive CR-V Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid. Ultimately that leaves the slightly less efficient Kia Sportage Hybrid. I haven't looked at these closely but unless something's changed, a Kia dealership is the last place I want to do business at.A solid meh in non-hybrid volume trims. Coarse engine, cheap interior, dated infotainment. People that buy these clearly do not shop around.
Intriguing in Prime or Woodland trim but otherwise I'd pass.
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