[CheapCharlie]

Thank you for your reply. I remembered reading somewhere that XLE is the most popular trim, wait time would be longest for those (was surprised when that was available first), and more expensive trims like Limited would have the shorter wait time. Just wanted to see if that actually might be true.

Price/features, an XLE is the best value. I have seen my dealer sell them for $35,000 USD with decent options package. A vehicle in limited trim jumps the price to over $40,000 USD. Usually close to $41,000. Hence the insatiable demand for the XLE. Plus, in five years, a XLE trim's resale will probably be only $1500 USD less than the Limited that sold for over $5,000 more new. In retrospect, the XLE has a lower entry price and better resale over a higher trim. Hence why they are so in demand.

 

[fsu23phd]

Thank you for your reply. I remembered reading somewhere that XLE is the most popular trim, wait time would be longest for those (was surprised when that was available first), and more expensive trims like Limited would have the shorter wait time. Just wanted to see if that actually might be true.

I read recently that manufacturers are prioritizing higher trims, since it seems that mostly affluent customers are buying new cars now, and that they perfer higher trims. I've noticed logs of SEs and XSEs on the dealer websites, with a good number of XLEs but almost no LEs. XLE is my perfered trim, so combined with what you said about demand, it could be a while.

 

[fsu23phd]

So has anyone actaully had a delivery since November? I am following the Sportage Hybrid forum too, and they seem to have just stopped shipping Hybrids. I know that those are made in Korea and the R4s are made in America. Still, it seems like the lithium shortage is for real.

 

[bt10]

Just as an aside for perspective, I bought a '23 Lexus NX350h, same as the Rav4 Hybrid. My dealer would absolutely not place an "order" for what we wanted exactly, thinking she wanted the sale now. She would only let us look ahead at what the factory put on the dock in Japan and ask if that was what we wanted. This went on for approximately 5months, and the toyota dealer across the street was even worse, charging up to $15k or MSRP. I knew the wait times involved to order, but we were honestly one rejection away from going to another dealer to "order". The one we got has everything we needed but cooled seats, the rest was close enough, so we tagged it at MSRP about 11/5/22, delivery about 12/15/22.

 

[zanzabar]

I just got notified on Monday about an allocation for an XSE and they told me it's building Feb. 19 and I did get a temp VIN. I was pretty surprised to be contacted because I only started the search like 2 weeks ago and getting on lists. I dont even remember getting on this dealers list but just submitting an online quote request to them. They are kind of rural so I'm wondering if less people had been contacting them about the vehicles. All the others around me were saying 6-8 months to even get an allocation. There are some port add-on fluff though. The salesperson claimed it would arrive by March/April but we will see. This would be built in Kentucky. I didnt remove myself from the other waitlists I'm on cause I'm just curious if any of them get something.

 

[Aquinsqui]

Got our 2023 Rav4 Hybrid LE on January 4th, ordered in June. Were pretty upset because of that at first but got 2023 instead of 2022, Midnight black exterior, Nutmeg interior with blackout emblems and mudguards. Worth a wait. One thing surprised me, spec for 2023 LE said that it has automatic headlights, turned out that it doesn't (doesn't bother me though). Made in Japan, so proper Toyota!

 

[fsu23phd]

Got our 2023 Rav4 Hybrid LE on January 4th, ordered in June. Were pretty upset because of that at first but got 2023 instead of 2022, Midnight black exterior, Nutmeg interior with blackout emblems and mudguards. Worth a wait. One thing surprised me, spec for 2023 LE said that it has automatic headlights, turned out that it doesn't (doesn't bother me though). Made in Japan, so proper Toyota!

Glad to hear that! So they are still making them!

How do you like the Rav4 Hybrid? Not too loud, handles well?

 

[Aquinsqui]

Glad to hear that! So they are still making them!

How do you like the Rav4 Hybrid? Not too loud, handles well?

Nice ride, not too soft which is good, great height. Handles like a dream for SUV, not a racecar of course. In lower speeds (<50) it is pretty quite. Some wind noise on highway speeds because of big side mirrors, engine gets loud on hard acceleration like any other 4 cylinder but not annoyingly loud. Gas mileage is lower than advertised (33-35) but it is cold outside, since we've got it temp was in between 25 and 45, so waiting for summer to get my 40 mpg, lol.

 

[skier6]

Got our 2023 Rav4 Hybrid LE on January 4th, ordered in June. Were pretty upset because of that at first but got 2023 instead of 2022, Midnight black exterior, Nutmeg interior with blackout emblems and mudguards. Worth a wait. One thing surprised me, spec for 2023 LE said that it has automatic headlights, turned out that it doesn't (doesn't bother me though). Made in Japan, so proper Toyota!

I thought (if you are in the States) that all the RAV 4 LEs are made in the US? Our 2021 was; in Georgetown Kentucky . Our Highlander Hybrid LE, a 2023, was also built in the US.

 

[Aquinsqui]

I thought (if you are in the States) that all the RAV 4 LEs are made in the US? Our 2021 was; in Georgetown Kentucky . Our Highlander Hybrid LE, a 2023, was also built in the US.

Back in June when we ordered our Rav4 I asked where will it be made and I was told that there are 2 options: Woodstock (Ontario, Canada) and Japan, didn't even mentioned Georgetown, I live in Western NYS. But you can't pick what build you want anyways, whichever comes first...

 

[neonlazer]

Been looking for one for about 2 months. Finally found on that was allocated to dealer in the area that took off the extra charge for out of area customers. Toyota site lists it as "Vehicle is in build phase. Estimated availability 01/11/23 - 01/18/23." Dealer says it is in transit and should be here around the end of the month.

 

[rosek476]

I ordered a 2023 XLE Premium Hybrid in June and picked it Saturday. Salesman called in November said they were allocated one similar to my request. I told him I would take it. When we picked it up on Saturday he said the wait times are now 8-12 months for a Hybrid.

 

[gogolfbuddy]

went to the dealer today and bought a woodland edition. itll arrive in a aweek.

 

[Rick G 1466]

Hey all, I’m new here. I initially posted in the new members introduction section. My thread there is titled: Just Joined From Central Texas.

Man oh man oh man did I get a shock yesterday. I talked over the phone with a saleslady from our local Toyota dealer regarding our interest in a RAV4 Hybrid XLE. We want a white one with a beige interior.

She said they could order one. It would cost a $1,000.00 deposit, which is refundable. They do not mark up or add on from MSRP. The bad thing is- she said it could take up to 12 months to arrive, and if so, it could end up being a 2024 model, so they would not be able to quote us an exact price at this time. Nuts. We are ready for one now. Ugh!

If you read my post in the introductions section, you will see that I had sold my ‘06 Tundra to help make room for (both space-wise in the garage, and financially) for a RAV4. But I wasn’t expecting to have such a long wait to get in to a new vehicle.

The guy hadn’t paid me yet for my Tundra nor had I taken a deposit from him. I called him last night and told him he might want to keep looking because it’s now going to be a while before I’ll let the Tundra go. He asked how long. I told him maybe up to a year. Well he got a bit pissed, and told me to go f- - k myself. (ouch) Whelp that’s the end of that deal. I’ve also now taken down my ad for the Tundra. Looks like she’ll be with me for a while longer yet.

I feel bad about it. Wifey had told me to get the Tundra put up for sale right away, “because you don’t know how long it’s going to take to sell it,” and here it sold right off the bat.

It’s been such a long time since we’ve bought a brand new vehicle. I had no clue it would take such a long time to get one.

We last bought brand new, a 2019 BMW X1 for my wife. It was easy peasy, wham bam thank you ma’am, drove it home same day, and got a very satisfying deal to boot. And now you have to wait a year????? And pay sticker??? Totally ridiculous.

But wifey says we’re going to go in and plunk down $1000.00 and get the Hybrid XLE ordered. Maybe it won’t take as long as they say.

I was originally wanting a new 4Runner, but we’re concerned about what many happen again with fuel prices looking forward. You can see I mentioned this in my thread in the new members introduction section.

Well, nuts. I’m glad I found this forum. We were looking forward to going out and finding us a new RAV4 Hybrid, but the reality of it is it looks like we’re going to be maybe a year out. As such, I may not have much to post about here in the near term. Take care all.

 

[skier6]

Look for a dealer , that has a RAV 4 Hybrid allocated to that dealership, but not delivered yet..
Make phone calls, visit dealers. Once a dealership puts a car up on their website, it has usually been sold, or is under deposit. Too late. Another advantage of finding an allocated car, before it is built, is you can tell the dealership, no "aftermarket" paint protector, fabric treatment, rust proofing. Just tell the dealership, "don't touch it" . Saved us $1750 on our Highlander, stopping this extra stuff before car arrived at dealership.

So you need to visit/call a salesperson, who looks on his laptop, and says "Looks like we have a RAV4 XXX Hybrid allocated, to be built next month"..If no one else has put down a deposit for this car, no waiting list, put down a deposit. Be flexible, don't expect just the color/features/interior you want. If your RAV 4 hybrid is built in the States it could be yours in 5 weeks. Ours was, a base LE model in Ruby Red paint
We picked up our second Toyota Hybrid, a Highlander, in December. It was built, and delivered in 3 weeks, after our deposit. This Highlander was allocated to an Out-Of-State dealership, but no one had called and put down a deposit on the car. We had asked the dealership to look up their list of allocated cars, in the future.
At one point I had deposits with two dealers for a Highlander.. Dropped the pending delivery of a IC Highlander, when a Hybrid Highlander suddenly came available out of State.

ps. nice BUFF in your avatar

 

[mikefocke]

My Toyota dealer hasn't had any hybrids on the lot that aren't pre-sold for months. Yes, in '19 things were different. (You would cry if I told you how easy and cheap my buy was then.) And later in the year things might get better as Toyota has said they will increase production in '23 and they do not anticipate any more supply constraints.

Register your interest with a large dealer. They get more allocations. Ask the sales manager if they have a waiting list and if so how many are on the list.

And look for a used one. Not going to be cheap but may be more available. My DIL just had to abandon her search for the exact same car you are looking for and went with a Ford hybrid sort of equivalent for which she paid original list price used! Needed a car because of an additional driver. CarMax.

These aren't normal times.

 

[my3dunns]

I'm curious how long each of you waited for a 2023 Rav4 Hybrid, or at least how long the dealer has told you it will be. I'm eastern NC and just seeing in-transit inventory come online on all of the area dealer websites, but ofcourse they are probably spoken for. I may end up with the gas version just because I'm not patient. This thread will help me decide if the wait is worth it. Thanks! Edit: I see that there is a thread regarding waits in Canada, I started this one because they come from different factories and I think it's likely that wait times are different in the US. Thanks again.

I am in Colorado, I ordered my RAV4 Hybrid on 6 October 2022. I am still waiting as of 3 Feb 2023. The wait is frustrating, but it should be worth it once the vehicle comes in.

 

[rn701]

Dealer notifed me 1/6 they had a 2023 Rav4 Hybrid Limited in their allocation that matched what we were looking for. Placed deposit on 1/9. Monday they said they expect delivery between 2/10 and 2/18.

According to the timeline it was built on 12/15, departed Japan 12/23 and arrived in port on 1/11.

We asked to be put on the list back in November. At the time they had stopped production on 2022 models and were switching over to 2023.

 

[jweiler]

I don't see anywhere on the Toyota site to enter a VIN to track you delivery. Entering the VIN into the general search found nothing. Can anyone describe how to navigate the site to get to the VIN entry page? I ordered ($1000 deposit) a RAV4 XLE AWD Hybrid (white or silver, with or without winter package - I'm on Cape Cod MA) in July 2022. I had to keep asking the young sales guy I got, about a delivery date. In January he finally said there was a 2023 one available (white with winter package) for late Feb. or early March and gave me the VIN.

 

[jweiler]

I don't see anywhere on the Toyota site to enter a VIN to track you delivery. Entering the VIN into the general search found nothing. Can anyone describe how to navigate the site to get to the VIN entry page? I ordered ($1000 deposit) a RAV4 XLE AWD Hybrid (white or silver, with or without winter package - I'm on Cape Cod MA) in July 2022. I had to keep asking the young sales guy I got, about a delivery date. In January he finally said there was a 2023 one available (white with winter package) for late Feb. or early March and gave me the VIN.

I just found it by Googling it. Vehicle Specification | Toyota Owners. Date of first use is Dec. 31, which is what a lot of others said they see regardless of actual delivery status.