Hey everyone, I'm just wondering if it really matters where the Rav 4 hybrid xse is built? I REALLY would like a magnetic gray but the only ones I can find are from Canada. What do you guys think? Does the build quality vary?
Need Help! Canada or Japan? Does it matter?
TBoe1776
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Some owners of JP built Rav4s claim they are better than the US or CA built but it seems the only "evidence" of this is anecdotal (useless).
For the past 30 years or so, I've owned close to 20 Toyota/Lexus or Nissan/Infiniti vehicles. About half of those were built in North America, and about half were built in Japan.
I had always believed that the ones built in North America were good, but the ones built in Japan were just a bit better.
My recent experience caused me to change my thinking. I owned 2 Generation 6 Lexus ES cars. My 2013 ES was built in Japan. Its fits and finishes were okay, but they were far from perfect. The alignment of both interior and exterior panels left something to be desired. The 2017 ES that I had was built in Kentucky, and its fits and finishes were about as close to perfect as could be. Both cars were mechanically excellent, and there were no problems with either.
My 2021 RAV4 Limited Hybrid was built in Kentucky. Its fits and finishes are not quite at the level of that 2017 Lexus, but they are still excellent (and better than those of that Japan-built 2013 Lexus).
At this point, I would not hesitate for a moment before buying a Toyota or Lexus that was built in North America.
I had always believed that the ones built in North America were good, but the ones built in Japan were just a bit better.
My recent experience caused me to change my thinking. I owned 2 Generation 6 Lexus ES cars. My 2013 ES was built in Japan. Its fits and finishes were okay, but they were far from perfect. The alignment of both interior and exterior panels left something to be desired. The 2017 ES that I had was built in Kentucky, and its fits and finishes were about as close to perfect as could be. Both cars were mechanically excellent, and there were no problems with either.
My 2021 RAV4 Limited Hybrid was built in Kentucky. Its fits and finishes are not quite at the level of that 2017 Lexus, but they are still excellent (and better than those of that Japan-built 2013 Lexus).
At this point, I would not hesitate for a moment before buying a Toyota or Lexus that was built in North America.
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i dont think you will be able to tell the difference if you put them side by side. with that being said, i picked one built in Japan lol.
Go back to sleep!
NC '19 Rav4 Hybrid Limited, Entune 3.0, Adaptive Headlights, Advanced Technology Package
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Of our 4 current Toyota Hybrids, we have one each built in 4 different factories. Canada, Japan, KY, Japan. Prior 2 Toyota Hybrids were both Japan. I can't see any difference.
Only troubles we have had were ones where all cars of that model and year no matter where built had the same issue. And they never really affected us, just got em fixed under warranty.
Only troubles we have had were ones where all cars of that model and year no matter where built had the same issue. And they never really affected us, just got em fixed under warranty.
Unfortunately the only people who really know will be Toyota themselves in the short term. And presumably reliability will vary from year to year as well as model to model and depend on what your priorities are (a lot of people grizzle about the base sound system not being Opera House quality. I find this silly/irrelevant as I still havent figured out all the features but each to their own).
There are sites that recommend specific years over others but can you believe reviews or crowd sourcing? I decided on the RAV4 model quite independently - I wanted an efficient (rather than joke) hybrid, that could tow, was petrol efficient and available here in Australia. The only option reduced to a variant on the RAV4 AWDs, all made in Japan. Happily we are perfectly satisfied.
The biggest complaints we read appear to be associated with sun and moon roofs. But we went for the basic model based on the KISS principle so that was irrelevant. The other consideration is earlier years of a given model (all new models have teething problems and it strikes me the difference between 2019 and 2021 is more significant than between sources. Even if they are built in the US/Canada, they are still based on a Japanese QA/QC system which gave Toyota its original reputation......and when it comes to hybrids they seem to have by far the long experience and most advanced engine (which incidentally was significantly improved around 2015).
Conversely a friend bought the flagship Prius Gen 1 from Japan but it was a dog with fleas as you might expect wany radically new complex technology to be until unforeseen glitches have been sorted.
There are sites that recommend specific years over others but can you believe reviews or crowd sourcing? I decided on the RAV4 model quite independently - I wanted an efficient (rather than joke) hybrid, that could tow, was petrol efficient and available here in Australia. The only option reduced to a variant on the RAV4 AWDs, all made in Japan. Happily we are perfectly satisfied.
The biggest complaints we read appear to be associated with sun and moon roofs. But we went for the basic model based on the KISS principle so that was irrelevant. The other consideration is earlier years of a given model (all new models have teething problems and it strikes me the difference between 2019 and 2021 is more significant than between sources. Even if they are built in the US/Canada, they are still based on a Japanese QA/QC system which gave Toyota its original reputation......and when it comes to hybrids they seem to have by far the long experience and most advanced engine (which incidentally was significantly improved around 2015).
Conversely a friend bought the flagship Prius Gen 1 from Japan but it was a dog with fleas as you might expect wany radically new complex technology to be until unforeseen glitches have been sorted.
2020 RAV4 hybrid XLE, Magnetic Grey metallic, cold weather package.
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One of the main difference , if it is important to you, that Japan made will have the towing points and Canada will not. The USA and Canada made ravs do not have front threads for tow bolts. Japan made seams to have those.
Currently Australian RAV4s seem to be made in Japan. This makes sense given we still have right hand drive like Japan itself. That said I've seen claims our RAV4s are built in Canada...where the truth lies is unclear.
Regarding towing in the US RAV4s can certainly be ordered with a towing option. To judge by
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I believe @VladR was referring to the hooks used for securing the vehicle while being transported by ship, not towing capacity.
ta......not something I had thought about.
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Really? I have heard they can be used for accident recovery or loading and tying down on a flatbed but never for towing the vehicle. I wouldn't allow mine to be towed that way.
Not hybrids. Ever.
Yes , I was looking around the front and rear fender for a plate to pop off. No towing eye bolt in the flat tire kit either. So how do you tow a 2021 US RAV4 Hybrid LE, like our car??
I think I was reading something in the manual about after breakdown that they have to loaded onto a flatbed truck.....so old style towing is discouraged. I guess it makes sense with a hybrid as there is not manual handbrake you can release or ordinary brake that isnt engaged when the motor isnt going. Here is something on the topic for the Lexus which basically says the same thing Can I tow a hybrid vehicle behind my motor home?
2020 RAV4 hybrid XLE, Magnetic Grey metallic, cold weather package.
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Yes, you cannot tow the hybrid.
But many people like to have the towhooks for recovery points and for getting it on the flat bed too.
I still wonder how they would winch it up to the flat bed without the towhook. I see no usable hook point under it. The only exception would be a tie down plate in the rear.
But many people like to have the towhooks for recovery points and for getting it on the flat bed too.
I still wonder how they would winch it up to the flat bed without the towhook. I see no usable hook point under it. The only exception would be a tie down plate in the rear.
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