The 9/3 heating area isn't just limited to the Rav4, it's a Toyota "thing" that's been in place in other models throughout the years.

I was subscribed to TIS a few weeks ago researching something in the electrical diagrams for my 2020 Limited, and I did pop into the 2023 RM while subscribed to see what was new, and the steering wheel part and associated relays etc. appear to be the same. So it is most likely still 9-3.

Off topic but cool: The panoramic view monitor (360 Birds Eye Camera system) in the 2023 has been upgraded to a digital bus/digital camera vs the 2022 and earlier using analog bus/cam. 360 cams and backup camera should be a bit more crisp and sharp in the 2023. 😎

 

While I enjoy using the heated steering wheel feature, it would be nice to have the whole wheel heated. Like most driver's I usually steer with my left hand sitting at the bottom of the steering wheel with the right hand either fiddling with the radio or coffee cup in hand.

 

Thank god “most” drivers do not do this. Your ability to make an instant, evasive maneuver, effectively understanding what will happen if you have to jerk, the wheel…the tactile response is greatly dulled from a single hand at the 6 o’clock position…if one likes to drive like this a pinto full of gas with a bullseye on the back might be preferable to make the evening news. Sorry. The 23s heat pattern are the same as before.

 

It's the same in the 2023. 9 and 3 positions.

 

Thanks for the above replies. We will be ordering the 2023 in a couple of months and the heated steering wheel is part of an option package ($850) which with the heated steering wheel gives you heated rear seats and rain sensing wipers. Rarely do we have someone in the back seat and the vehicle will be parked in a fairly warm garage so probably the heated steering wheel won't be missed. I had rain sensing wipers on a previous BMW and can live without that too so probably won't opt for this package.

 

The outdoor temp was about 48 degrees last night. Car has been parked in the garage for 5 or 6 days. It's been raining every day (if you've seen the weather report for CA, that's me). I flipped on the steering heater when I ran an errand yesterday. Was it needed? nah. I have it, might as well use it.
Granted it's not ice cold where I live and I don't really like the heated position but after it has been on a while the head does radiate away from the source enough to make it 'less cold'. My Ford was heated nearly evenly all-around. The Toyota actually gets pretty hot, hotter than my Ford did. I think I can safely say "I am used to it" being heated where it is but that isn't to say I like it. It does it's job.

As for "most people", I drive with my had on the bottom of the wheel about 0.5% of the time. I thought most people drove with one hand at the top of the wheel. Kidding, just that none of us can really say what "most" is.

 

I keep a cheap pair of wool gloves, purchased in the Dollar store in the car for the winter. I park in an unheated garage it wards of a cold steering wheel until it heats up which is a few minutes.

 

The 10 and 2 positions are where my drivers ed teach taught me just over 50 years ago as the best position for good control of the car. Yes I can preach. I was an EMT on a city ambulance crew before I became an RN working in an inner city ED and ICU for 40+ years. I have seen the up close and nasty wrecks cause by not paying attention to their driving and being aware of what is going on around them. I'm the one that got to go with the ED Doctor to tell families their love one didn't live or their beautiful daughter face hit the rearview mirror and windshield because she was snuggled up next to her boyfriend that was driving and she wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

 

Yes everyone I think was taught the 10 & 2 hands position, as always how quick bad habits creep in. My concern is passengers it seems especially woman passengers who feel that they have to either put there feet up onto dash or I have seen them dangle them out of the window especially in summer time. If they are in a accident there goes both either broken or crushed legs, my brother in-law has seen many times attending traffic accidents as a cop. Sorry of topic.

 

I wish the heated portion went up another inch. If you have big hands and position your hands at 10-2 above the spokes, your thumb is above the heated part. Mildly annoying, I wish it was an easy fix like the aftermarket seat extenders were to gain sufficient leg room for us non small drivers. I think Subaru is the only Japanese car builder that sizes for bigger guys.