I get mine on Amazon for both my wife's Corolla and now my new 2020 RAV4h. Much cheaper. I found one from EPAuto for like $9.

 

I am more curious about construction and why Toyota has two different part numbers (as well as Fram, STP...etc) versus outright cost.

 

Short answer is paper filter vs cotton/charcoal filter, so one really is a more expensive item. That said, there are so many 3rd party filters being made that are a bit different that you do have more of a range of quality and construction. And Toyota uses the same filter in many different cars so each year the pool of options grows. If you want to control pollen and other tiny particles, the better filter is the way to go.

 

Understandable, but just for info sake, the EPAuto filter looks and feels just like the OEM I pull out of my RAV4h. If you to put them side by side without identify it which is which it would be hard to talk off hand. As for multiple part numbers , well there maybe some very minor differences to allow it to be used in one set of cats and other in different set with some intersections of both groups. Like part 1 can be used in xx years of Corolla and RAV4 and part 2 can be used in yy years of Camry and rav4. I have seen this before. Confusing like hell

 

I just use my air compressor to clean my cabin filter, like new twice yearly spring/fall. Saving the planet one cabin filter at a time.

 

Been using the Fram Fresh Breeze with baking soda and activated charcoal. $20 on Amazon. Replace it every spring as Texas gives the A/C a workout.

 

I am really happy with my K&N cabin filter. Well built and I feel it does a great job filtering the air. When it gets dirty, take it out and wash it. While it's drying, I put the original back in. When I bought mine, there was a promo code so you could get the $15 cleaning kit for free. I've cleaned mine once after all of the big California fires and have quite a bit of cleaner left. I feel it's well worth the extra price for the filter since it will probably out live the vehicle. It's not carbon, but I don't need a carbon filter. All that is wasted once you open a window or open a door.

 

A bit cheaper than the OEM Toyota unit. . . . . with activated charcoal . . . . 2022 Lexus ES300h Cabin Air Filter PC99237X

 

Watch out, the aftermarket filters generally have an UP arrow, whereas Toyota has an Airflow Arrow. They are opposite.

 

Sorry you have confused me, which way should the cabin filter sit arrow up or arrow down???

 

But mine has an up arrow on the filter cover so what does that mean:

 

If your filter has an up arrow, you install it that way. If it has an airflow arrow, air flows down through this filter.

 

What I can tell you is that the debris was on top of the filter when I removed the original so the air flow would have to be from the top down. With a pleated filter, it really doesn't matter when you're putting in a new filter or freshly cleaned one like mine since the pleats will catch the debris and dirt particles either way. The direction is if you're removing a dirty one, cleaning it (tapping the debris off) and putting the old one back in. Now, the activated charcoal ones might be a different story dual to potential layers of material. There might be a first contact situation but I digress since I had one on my 2009 BMW X3 and never really looked that close to it.

 

I got mine on rockauto.com - for the 2019 they list 10 filters at all price points. I tried the charcoal filter this time around just to see if it filters exhaust odor from city traffic driving. They only last a year so you can go back soon enough and try another type/price point quick enough.

 

Piece of cake to install. However has anybody really noted the differences between the two part numbers and $25 (roughly) of your hard earned cash? Is it just the charcoal stuff? I am seeing similar pricing structures between STP, Fram and Purolator filters as well.

I used OEM because the website was easier to click on and add to the post.

And on a side note I pulled my battery cover to inspect the filter there and its looks pretty similar in color as the cabin filter (not white; like a dark grayish color). I doubt the battery cares about fumes.

Expensive filter:

2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited (VIN starts with J) 2.5L Hybrid A/T Cabin Air Filter. AIR REFINER; CLEAN AIR - 8713958010 - Genuine Toyota Part

Cabin Air Filter. AIR REFINER; CLEAN AIR. 2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited (VIN starts with J) 2.5L Hybrid A/T. Genuine Toyota Part - 8713958010 (87139-58010)

parts.toyota.com

Cheap Filter:

2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited (VIN starts with J) 2.5L Hybrid A/T Cabin Air Filter. POLLEN - 871390R030 - Genuine Toyota Part

Cabin Air Filter. POLLEN. 2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited (VIN starts with J) 2.5L Hybrid A/T. Genuine Toyota Part - 871390R030 (87139-0R030, 8713928020)

parts.toyota.com

I always use an oem filter but always buy it off ebay for a fraction of the dealer's price. Cheap enough no need to bargain hunt for me.

 

You're probably buying counterfeit Toyota parts from ebay.

Watch this video and he covers cabin filters:

Toyota Counterfeit parts EXPOSED! - YouTube

 

Yeah, I waited until last minute to buy before a road trip. A local dealer was willing to sell at cost of 28 versus retail of 55 (or whatever). So I got the carbon one. not the best price but WAY better than four other dealers that wouldnt play nice. one wouldnt help me without a VIN.

I could not for the life of me find an after market carbon based cabin filter in my area. lesson learned. parts for Hybrid are rare and you need to an ahead.

 

I just installed a new EP Auto filter this afternoon. Absolutely the highest apparent quality (fit and finish) of any cabin filter I have ever installed. Including OEM. I ordered three more when I got into the house after installing it. That ought to do me for a while.

 

I recently replaced my ES350 Lexus and I noticed the expensive filters have support structure between the folds which keeps the folds straight. The recent filter bought off Amazon from a dealer didn't have the structure. I think the important things to look for is the number of folds which equates to surface area and flow ability. .