Toyota RAV4 Forums banner

Pull the trigger on the Loaded 24 XLE Premium or wait on a 24 XSE?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

tvdirector

· Registered
Joined
·
1 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Finally replace our '11 Limited v6...

And no doubt another Rav4, hybrid this time, will be in the driveway hopefully soon.

Looked used, but prices are quite close to new- loved the 21 XSE but at only about 3k used less than a new one, the choice was pretty clear to bite the bullet and go new.

The problem here in Wisconsin is inventory- hard to find something you're willing to pay 39k for unless you want a very dark one, one with that non-descript gray metal color or white or silver, both okay, , but with unwanted add ons like emblems or exhaust tips vs. weather packages and door guards for city living.

Then we came across a loaded XLE Premium that basically matches or exceeds the XSE...
-XLE Premium Grade Weather Package
-10.5-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia and 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio
-Body Side Moldings
-Door Edge Guards
-Door Sill Protectors
-Mudguards
-All-Weather Liner Package
-Roof Rack Cross Bars

I believe that with these options, we're talking about a pretty well setup XSE trim without the serious packages offered in the XSE level.
Basically the same except for the sportier black on silver trim and suspension difference and so forth.
Am I wrong?

XLE:
Base MSRP * $36,125.00
Factory Installed Packages & Accessories $2,485.00
Port Installed Packages & Accessories $1,378.00
Delivery Processing and Handling $1,350.00
so 41,350ish, then dealer discount and haggle to get it to about 39,500. Pretty much the same price for the XSE we liked with door guards, but have to wait 2-4 weeks for if they can find a dealer to swap with or wait for the next allotment.

So now we're thisssss close to the premium.

Anything I'm missing in learning XLE-Prm vs XSE?
Are they really THAT different?

We're approaching retirement so convenience and comfort and easy rides on bumpy city streets and 4-5 hour highway trips are key.

And we're in need of doing it like super quickly (ergo waiting a few weeks vs. getting it tomorrow consideration)

Any reason why/why not we shouldn't pull the trigger on the Premium as outfitted?
Or to wait/not wait on an XSE?

thanks!
 
I waited 6 months for my car. Personally I just like the way the XSE looks with the two tone paint. That was my reason for getting it.

The base XSE doesn't really have many cool features, so you wouldn't be missing out on anything by getting the loaded XLE premium over it. You'd actually be gaining features if you get the loaded XLE premium such as JBL sound, parking sensors, digital mirror, and memory seats.

However the loaded XSE has all that and a 360 cam and pano roof.

Slightly stiffer steering wheel on the XSE but not really any noticeable driving characteristics between the two.

I don't believe there's a right or wrong answer to your question, just comes down to your overall preference.
 
We looked at both and wound up with a 2019 XSE Japan build first one in showroom pano roof JBL etc. No 360 camera or crossbars on rails 9 no leaks) one year later a 2020 XSE for the wife basic same only in blueprint. We love both love then love the stiffer handling especially when in sport mode.
 
We went with the XLE Premium for a few personal reasons.
  • I am not a fan of gloss black wheels. Curb scrubs will stick out like a sore thumb.
  • I am not a fan of the glossy spats around the wheels/tires, grill, etc. Concerned about what they will look like with dings from stones and discourteous drivers who cannot park.
  • I am not a fan of the two-tone paint
 
Both are very close, slight difference in looks, and some options. Price is very close too. I'd honestly go for one you can get sooner. I never rode in XSE to feel the suspension difference, but in my XLE I like the suspension and would not want it to be any stiffer or steering wheel to feel heavier - e.g. more "sporty". On the other hand I like white XSE, it has some contrast looks. I do also like my white XLE :)
 
We went with the XLE Premium for a few personal reasons.
  • I am not a fan of gloss black wheels. Curb scrubs will stick out like a sore thumb.
  • I am not a fan of the glossy spats around the wheels/tires, grill, etc. Concerned about what they will look like with dings from stones and discourteous drivers who cannot park.
  • I am not a fan of the two-tone paint
My 2020 XSE has almost 98k miles. Not a single scratch on the wheels. I applied PPF on the glossy surfaces of the car. They still look brand new.
 
The XLE Premium sounds like a fair price. I can’t speak as to the RAV4 but with the Camry the LE and LE models deliver a softer ride than the SE and XSE. I’ve always chosen the LE or LE suspensions in all my Toyotas. Others will argue they prefer the stiffer handling with the SE lines.
 
The XLE will ride better and many prefer the chromed wheels over the XSE black versions which look like you lost your hub caps from a distance. Go for it.
What's beautiful about this question and the answers, is that it shows that we're all different and have completely different tastes. For me the XSE two tone is IT! for others, it's not appealing, nor are its wheels which I totally love. Wouldn't life be boring if we were all the same :)
 
My 2020 XSE has almost 98k miles. Not a single scratch on the wheels.
many prefer the chromed wheels over the XSE black versions which look like you lost your hub caps from a distance. Go for it.
To each his own. I prefer the black XSE wheels over the hyper silver ones that came with my car. So I bought exact copes of the black XSE wheels, and put ceramic coat on them. No scratches here either after two years:

Image
 
1 - 16 of 16 Posts