The XLE Hybrid trim is a ton of car for the money.
I would totally buy that if I need something super utilitarian.
I would totally buy that if I need something super utilitarian.
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?
21 - 40 of 75 Posts
I haven't driven a new one, but I think they look better than anything else in the class. That, coupled with Toyota's history of reliability and resale value would be enough for me to seriously consider one if I was shopping in this segment.
I know they’re objectively good vehicles and could be considered great as daily A-B transportation, but they are just waaay to milquetoast (for me). Like, if I polled a group of cleaning ladies what their dream car is, the RAV4 would be the most common response.
Our 2016 RAV4 has been excellent for us, genuinely the best family car we've owned. Dead-nuts reliable drives well, tons of room inside (but not too big outside), and the AWD is excellent in winter. Very, very pleased with it.
So if were replacing it like-for-like I'd start with Toyota and then likely compare it to the CX-5 and CRV as well. I've owned a lot of Mazdas over the years, but I always felt them to be a little snug for my plus-size dimensions whereas others felt roomy.
So if were replacing it like-for-like I'd start with Toyota and then likely compare it to the CX-5 and CRV as well. I've owned a lot of Mazdas over the years, but I always felt them to be a little snug for my plus-size dimensions whereas others felt roomy.
That's the point, this is the top of the bell curve of what the top of the bell curve of drivers want in a vehicle. If you want something more interesting/dynamic/enthusiast feels/premium/etc. you stray from the top of that bell curve. If anything, I'm amazed they were able to achieve it with a design that, when released, was more risky looks wise than competitors and with standard features like ACC/Lane Keep Assist that cars twice the price (or more) have only as options.I know they’re objectively good vehicles and could be considered great as daily A-B transportation, but they are just waaay to milquetoast (for me). Like, if I polled a group of cleaning ladies what their dream car is, the RAV4 would be the most common response.
My SIL bought a new 2019 Rav4 LE (Base Model). It's "fine." I can see why people gravitate toward them, but it's not a car for me. If I were shopping this class, I'd be looking more at Mazda, but I have a hard time telling myself that the Rav4 Prime isn't a really compelling option. But it's also relatively expensive.
For long-term ownership, personally I would strongly prefer a RAV4 with the 2.5-liter/8AT over the CR-V with the 1.5 turbo and CVT or the Rogue with the 3-cylinder and CVT.
Our kid has a 2021 XLE Hybrid that replaced a 2017 Corolla that got totaled. It gets 10 more MPG than the Corolla LE (38-40 vs 28-30) around town (urban Connecticut) not being driven gently and doing full-throttle holeshots onto the Merritt all the time. It's faster than my Yaris and gets better mileage most of the time which kind of blows my mind (Yaris will beat it at a steady 55 MPH but not most other times.The XLE Hybrid trim is a ton of car for the money.
I would totally buy that if I need something super utilitarian.
I drove a 2020 Rav4 Limited a while ago which as my first time in a Rav4. I was expecting it to be a penalty box and it was much better than expected That being said, I then drove a Highlander Platinum and forgot the Rav4 completely.
Honestly I would go for a Venza before a Rav4 without a doubt.
Honestly I would go for a Venza before a Rav4 without a doubt.
For our family truckster we wanted a hybrid CUV so it was either a Rav4 XLE hybrid or CRV hybrid. After driving both, we landed on the CRV because we found the seats to be more comfortable, preferred the way it drove, and it was the one the wife wanted.
I wanted the Rav because the motor felt stronger and returns much better fuel economy real world. It also looks good vs the CRV which is one of the more dopey looking vehicles available. But I lost that battle lol.
I wanted the Rav because the motor felt stronger and returns much better fuel economy real world. It also looks good vs the CRV which is one of the more dopey looking vehicles available. But I lost that battle lol.
Just had a conversation with the wife the other day about what we would buy to replace the Camry as our family vehicle. She wants some sort of electrified vehicle, not ready for full electric. Plug-in hybrid preferred, and I prefer Toyota for hybrid/plug-in since they have the best hit rate IMO. The plug-in Prius (old version) doesn't have a ton of electric-only range and wife doesn't like the new-shape one. A RAV4 Prime has decent electric only range (40+ miles) but is ungodly expensive w/ markups/limited supply and EV credit gone.
That leaves the regular Hybrid which I agree seems like decent value for money. That would probably be our pick for right now, pending we could find one with the all-weather package because as we learned with our Camry - heated seats are a must. I've experienced the larger-engined hybrid package in a Sienna minivan and it moves along just fine and gets its rated mileage in real-world usage. I don't know how everyone raves about the CX-5's driving experience because they both drive like the ~2-ton 180-200 hp shoeboxes they are. Any minutia between the RAV and the CX-5 is like butt-dyno gains after swapping in a K&N air filter on an NA engine.
That leaves the regular Hybrid which I agree seems like decent value for money. That would probably be our pick for right now, pending we could find one with the all-weather package because as we learned with our Camry - heated seats are a must. I've experienced the larger-engined hybrid package in a Sienna minivan and it moves along just fine and gets its rated mileage in real-world usage. I don't know how everyone raves about the CX-5's driving experience because they both drive like the ~2-ton 180-200 hp shoeboxes they are. Any minutia between the RAV and the CX-5 is like butt-dyno gains after swapping in a K&N air filter on an NA engine.
CX-5 is a noticeably more refined vehicle from a noise insulation perspective. It feels like a more expensive vehicle.Just had a conversation with the wife the other day about what we would buy to replace the Camry as our family vehicle. She wants some sort of electrified vehicle, not ready for full electric. Plug-in hybrid preferred, and I prefer Toyota for hybrid/plug-in since they have the best hit rate IMO. The plug-in Prius (old version) doesn't have a ton of electric-only range and wife doesn't like the new-shape one. A RAV4 Prime has decent electric only range (40+ miles) but is ungodly expensive w/ markups/limited supply and EV credit gone.
That leaves the regular Hybrid which I agree seems like decent value for money. That would probably be our pick for right now, pending we could find one with the all-weather package because as we learned with our Camry - heated seats are a must. I've experienced the larger-engined hybrid package in a Sienna minivan and it moves along just fine and gets its rated mileage in real-world usage. I don't know how everyone raves about the CX-5's driving experience because they both drive like the ~2-ton 180-200 hp shoeboxes they are. Any minutia between the RAV and the CX-5 is like butt-dyno gains after swapping in a K&N air filter on an NA engine.
But yeah, the Hybrid options are hard to beat. The CX-50 Hybrid powered by Toyota hybrid tech is going to be the one to watch.
Yeah I've been researching this car a lot and the hybrid XLE is definitely the sweet spot for price/equipment.The XLE Hybrid trim is a ton of car for the money.
I would totally buy that if I need something super utilitarian.
Seems like the regular gas RAV4 is a pass because lousy performance.
The Prime is a pass because of price and availability.
Wife and I have a 2020 Rav4 XLE Hybrid with convenience package we bought new in July 2020. You should be aware 2020 is the first year Rav4s got CarPlay and Android Auto. I started a thread on it years ago but it hasn't been updated because there's been nothing noteworthy. Only thing I've added is a dash cam and all-weather mats. 26k miles with the fuel sender recall completed and a dead battery that is a known issue otherwise no issues. She drives it 99% of the time.
We chose the Rav4 Hybrid because it wasn't much more than a regular gas one at the time, hybrid doesn't have the auto start/stop function which is a huge plus, and it was notably quicker around town which is where ours spends the majority of its time. 0% financing through Toyota was an added bonus. Lastly it felt like if we're keeping the vehicle 8-10 years then Rav4 would be a better choice. Wife and I are still happy with it now and haven't remotely considered replacing or upgrading.
We chose the Rav4 Hybrid because it wasn't much more than a regular gas one at the time, hybrid doesn't have the auto start/stop function which is a huge plus, and it was notably quicker around town which is where ours spends the majority of its time. 0% financing through Toyota was an added bonus. Lastly it felt like if we're keeping the vehicle 8-10 years then Rav4 would be a better choice. Wife and I are still happy with it now and haven't remotely considered replacing or upgrading.
The gas is fine (0-60 in about 8) but it is loud (engine revs like a Honda K-series and shifts at 6800). The hybrid is a little quicker (0-60 in about 7ish) but around town it is super relaxed and the electric torque shoves it around. You only ever hear the engine at high revs if you put it totally to the floor merging into fast traffic. The hybrid doesn't cost much more so it is kind of a nobrainer. You have to try to get below 40 MPG and it will flirt with 50 if you try - I've only driven it a little bit.
Skip to 5:20
Skip to 5:20
Thanks. I heard about the battery issue - some kind of grounding strap that breaks? - Anyways, Toyota claims it's been fixed on the 2022+ at least that's what my internet research say.Wife and I have a 2020 Rav4 XLE Hybrid with convenience package we bought new in July 2020. You should be aware 2020 is the first year Rav4s got CarPlay and Android Auto. I started a thread on it years ago but it hasn't been updated because there's been nothing noteworthy. Only thing I've added is a dash cam and all-weather mats. 26k miles with the fuel sender recall completed and a dead battery that is a known issue otherwise no issues. She drives it 99% of the time.
We chose the Rav4 Hybrid because it wasn't much more than a regular gas one at the time, hybrid doesn't have the auto start/stop function which is a huge plus, and it was notably quicker around town which is where ours spends the majority of its time. 0% financing through Toyota was an added bonus. Lastly it felt like if we're keeping the vehicle 8-10 years then Rav4 would be a better choice. Wife and I are still happy with it now and haven't remotely considered replacing or upgrading.
How would you rate the seat comfort? Scale 1-10.
I didn't even know you could get the hybrid as 2wd - it only shows AWD in my area. Perhaps it's just for my Toyota region.The gas is fine (0-60 in about 8) but it is loud (engine revs like a Honda K-series and shifts at 6800). The hybrid is a little quicker (0-60 in about 7ish) but around town it is super relaxed and the electric torque shoves it around. You only ever hear the engine at high revs if you put it totally to the floor merging into fast traffic. The hybrid doesn't cost much more so it is kind of a nobrainer. You have to try to get below 40 MPG and it will flirt with 50 if you try - I've only driven it a little bit.
Skip to 5:20
FWIW there's a guy on Reddit who's reached almost 400K on his 2020 Rav4.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Toyota/comments/12t1mkx
https://www.reddit.com/r/Toyota/comments/12t1mkx
Wow. Sweeping paint brush sure is sweeping. Toyota sells as many of these on reputation as they do on "clearly not shopping around" buyers who do in fact, shop around.People that buy these clearly do not shop around.
Intriguing in Prime or Woodland trim but otherwise I'd pass.
The Woodlands is a waste of time. It doesn't reap the benefits of the TRD Offroad because it doesn't gain the additional ground clearance, it doesn't even offer basic options like heated seats or a sunroof or a power liftgate, or the larger screen option that dropped on the refresh, and the hybrid limits both towing and offroad ability since the front and rear axle motors are not linked. The wheels from the TRD also put a stunt on the mileage one would expect to get from optioning the Hybrid engine. The Woodlands could've been the Hybrid TRD OR that doesn't exist, but they botched that execution badly as it's neither as efficient as the hybrid XLE/Limited, or as capable on the trail as the TRD Off Road.
I hear they don't do too well in parking lot floods.
Huehuehue.Easy way to get your wife to impulse buy a Subaru tho
21 - 40 of 75 Posts
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