Seriously considering Toyota RAV4 Prime. Thoughts?

[Lupine]

We're in the market for a mid-size wagon or SUV. With my wife having a 80 mile daily round trip commute, we'd actually started this process looking at a Prius. A small hatchback isn't out of the question, in fact we'll probably end up w/ something along those lines as a second car, but need something larger for our primary, something that can also manage to tow a light trailer. During the research, came across the RAV4 Prime reviews, and it looks pretty sweet.

Edit: Highlander is another option, which is a better fit size-wise perhaps, at least in the short term. Three boys, ages 11-16.

 

[Mahjik]

I haven't seen the RAV4's in a while, but I recall them being a fairly small SUV. Probably not something you will comfortably fit a family of 5 in. Have you considered a Ford Explorer?

 

[Silent-Runner]

this one?

 

[Elysian]

I think they look awesome, and the new 300hp motor is a welcome addition.

 

[Sasquach]

I think they look awesome, and the new 300hp motor is a welcome addition.

Its apparently one of the fastest cars in Toyota's lineup too lol.

 

[Lupine]

I haven't seen the RAV4's in a while, but I recall them being a fairly small SUV. Probably not something you will comfortably fit a family of 5 in. Have you considered a Ford Explorer?

It will be on the tight side for a couple years, but even now we're a family of three most of the year, excepting home leaves and vacations. Still, I am mindful of that and am also looking at the Highlander as an alternative. But this RAV4 is something lol.

 

[pax]

Wait lists are insane for it. I heard 6 months. The mild hybrid with 220hp is good on gas and only have a 2-3 month wait list for that one...

Might get that when my current Rav4 lease is done in Feb. But they are selling out and that doesnt make for a buyers market at all.


Thing I dont like about the new Rav vs the previous model is the roofline is a lot lower making my head closer to the roof... And Im short so gonna have to test drive the sun roof one to see if I dont have any claustrophobia (if they can keep one in stock for me to test drive...)

There is an issue with the gas tank as well in the hybrids... not sure if they have fixed it. Some say you cant fill it more than 2/3rds of the way and others say its a fuel gauge issue that shows its not full when it actually is.

 

[Lupine]

Thanks for the comments pax.

We've backtracked a bit toward sanity. Can't get one of these anytime soon anyway, so going to go ahead and go the sanity route and buy used this round - after all we really need 2x vehicles and I despise debt. Fantastic mpg is great, but break even point is way out there at these price points. Goal is sub-$30k for 2x cars. So ... looking at:

• 5-7yr old Highlander, probably hybrid even those that vintage doesn't get much improvement from it. This will give us the space and towing capacity we need, and hold us over until a newer car w/ the desired bells/whistles hits our price point.
• 5-7yr old Prius or equiv commute car. Hatchback a requisite, because throwing the dogs in a trunk is a bad plan.

 

[pax]

Dealer let me test drive a used 2018 Highlander hybrid as he didnt have a Rav4 hybrid on hand. Its pretty smooth you cant always tell when the gas engine is on or off. But man that wagon is a boat. Feels heavy and sluggish tho a bit powerful. I dont think the rav4 hybrid will feel the same at all, its smaller and lighter, so gonna try one when he gets one in...

The highlander was not cheap at 48 000 CAD plus tax.

But truth is Ill probably refi the lease and pay the 2015 off and look at a hybrid again in 2-4 years. They might upgrade the safety sense stuff again by then which I like.

 

[OverclockN']

Sounds like you're no longer in the market for one, but here's a related video that popped up today.

[yt]49DTZgKzaaM[/yt]

 

[pax]

One thing Id like to see them do is tune all the gas engines to 200 hp adding that 20 hp across the entire line... I dont get why they tuned it to 178 hp on the hybrids from 200 on the gas only model.

 

[Greasy]

One thing Id like to see them do is tune all the gas engines to 200 hp adding that 20 hp across the entire line... I dont get why they tuned it to 178 hp on the hybrids from 200 on the gas only model.

All about that CAFE.