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ventilated seats from the new Rav4 Prime 2023!

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#23 ·
I had ventilated seats in my previous vehicle, I rarely used it. I didn't feel it did wonders.
On a long drive, I guess it was nice but most of my trips were too short for them to be effective.

I have to call out another 'state' thread insinuating that only Texas gets hot. LOL

I don't live in Texas, however it was 111 degrees the day I test drove my car. And the next three days were all 110. It will be 111 again this weekend.
I suppose it would be nice to have it just to have it but I don't think I'd cancel an order or not buy the vehicle because of the omission. Given my experience of it not being fantastic.

I did really want heated seats and steering wheel. Actually the heated wheel was a preference that I really didn't want to go without. I don't know how much I'll even need/use the heated seats with the XSE cloth butt-panel. Plus again, it gets hot where I live but not cold enough to 'need' heated seats. My previous vehicle was far better fake leather than the XSE has and there was a benefit from the heated seat. Especially after a cold winter day mountain bike ride. Warm up the legs a bit and help get core temp up.
The ventilated seats after a summer bike ride were not helpful.
 
#24 ·
you won't be missing out on much, the ventilated seats don't really do much on hot days. it would have been a whole lot better if it cooled the back as well, but the 2020 model had just the seat ventilated and it was very weak and unnecessary
 
#27 ·
#28 ·
ohsayahm said:
you won't be missing out on much, the ventilated seats don't really do much on hot days. it would have been a whole lot better if it cooled the back as well, but the 2020 model had just the seat ventilated and it was very weak and unnecessary
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It’s comments like these that made me comfortable getting the XSE without ventilated seats. I don’t feel like I’m missing out. AL has some blazing hot summers so I want the ventilation to be chilled by AC.
 
#29 ·
Ruthrj said:
It’s comments like these that made me comfortable getting the XSE without ventilated seats. I don’t feel like I’m missing out. AL has some blazing hot summers so I want the ventilation to be chilled by AC.
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The R4P does not have a seperate A/C system for the seats like some Lexus models have. The fan in the R4P seats just circulates the cooled A/C air in the cabin through the seats. Not super effective with or without ventolated seats.
 
#31 · (Edited)
jlawr1 said:
The R4P does not have a seperate A/C system for the seats like some Lexus models have. The fan in the R4P seats just circulates the cooled A/C air in the cabin through the seats. Not super effective with or without ventolated seats.
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Curious to know what the new 450h+ has, any idea?

Mine is reasonably effective with A/C on max and windows up. The seats cool off quicker and stay cooler this way, definitely better than black pleather without ventilation. Still, a lot of times it's nice to have fresh air, windows down and sunroof open, and still be able to chill your seat.

Better systems direct cool the convective air on the seat, have more breathable/conductive and lighter-color fabric options, include airflow on the butt and lower back, and allow the seat ventilation to remote pre-cool to help on hot sunny days. Toyota kinda failed in these regards, but I guess they save us a mile or two of EV range this way?
 
#32 ·
Safedad said:
Curious to know what the new 450h+ has, any idea?

Mine is reasonably effective with A/C on max and windows up. The seats cool off quicker and stay cooler this way, definitely better than black pleather without ventilation. Still, a lot of times it's nice to have fresh air, windows down and sunroof open, and still be able to chill your seat.

Better systems direct cool the convective air on the seat, have more breathable/conductive and lighter-color fabric options, include airflow on the butt and lower back, and allow the seat ventilation to remote pre-cool to help on hot sunny days. Toyota kinda failed in these regards, but I guess they save us a mile or two of EV range this way?
Click to expand...
Seems like the 450h has no spare, run flat tires, wonky door handles and less range than the R4P, but it's really luxurious when you're just sirtting in it in your garage.
 
#34 ·
jlawr1 said:
The R4P does not have a seperate A/C system for the seats like some Lexus models have. The fan in the R4P seats just circulates the cooled A/C air in the cabin through the seats. Not super effective with or without ventolated seats.
Click to expand...
Exactly, which is why I feel that I didn’t miss out on anything getting the XSE without ventilated seats.
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
The dealer has just informed me that they have put the ventilated seats back on the Rav4 2023 in Europe ... now I ask you are they effective on both the seat and the backrest? Are they noisy? How many fans do they have?
 
#39 ·
Elgaucho said:
but if the seat doesn't have micro-holes ... how can it air-condition?
As for these questions: effective on both the seat and the backrest? Are they noisy? How many fans do they have?
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In the USA, XSE base has "fabric inserts" and no active ventilation.

The XSE Premium is cabin-temperature air on the thighs and mid/upper back. No ventilation under the butt or on the lower back. Fans are quiet on low and medium but noticeable on high. They kick up a notch when climate control is on max fan speed and not on Eco mode, but at that point the cabin air noise is louder than the seat ventilation fans.
 
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