[TrueTexan]

I have a 2019 XSE hybrid one of the first to arrive in Texas from Japan. My wife has an early 2020 XSE Hybrid assembled in Kentucky. Neither one has had any real issues that some others have had. We're in Texas so salt on the roads in almost none existent they might put down a prime coat. If that happens we are retired and stay home because the fools are out. The only issues we have had is the Stealership trying to push items and checks not needed. Especially needing a wheel alignment. If your RAV4 doesn't pull and tire wear is even you don't need an alignment every time you get your oil change. And Air filters for the hybrid battery, cabin and engine are easy to change. Check online for videos that show you how.

 

[lmcharlot]

some non-prime trims have lithium so your statement 'only primes' is incorrect

That's right, XSE Hybrids have Lithium batteries, I forget that. I tend to not think about XSE's, because my Prime is an SE, and my Sienna, if it actually arrives next month as promised, will be an LE (that's the base trim in the Sienna). And there's a specific reason that my Rav4 Prime is an SE and the Sienna will be an LE: those are the only trims in those vehicles where it's possible (not easy, but at least not impossible), to get it with a plain steel roof. I hate glass roofs in cars. Every car I've ever owned in the last 50 years that had a glass roof panel of any kind (sunroof or moon roof) either leaked rain water, or something went wrong with it that imposed a huge repair bill on me. And in the Rav4, the glass roof option robs you of 2-1/2 to 3 inches of headroom in the front seats.

 

[Cavalry]

View attachment 219798

Looks like you made my point with your chart! I forgot to add the price difference between non-hybrid and hybrid is pretty low ... $1800 more for the hybrid (from memory and mine is a 2023). I helped two family members buy Rav4 hybrids as well and they are both elated. The hybrid version adds a lot of MPG as well (around 10 mpg, also from memory). I'm not sure if the LE uses a nickle metal battery or not (I know the higher trim levels are lithium) but if the LE does use a NiMH, those are far safer than the lithiums you were concerned about. I've hear the Woodland edition uses a NiMH. One last thing: I see mentions of the 2026 in this thread but I just heard a strong rumor that they will not be released in 2025. It will be in 2026 before you see the next gen and Toyota has NOT fared well with redesigns lately (can you say Tundra/Tacoma?). So Toyota now joins the ranks of other makers where first year release cautions are warranted. Actually, there are 2025 Tundras still experiencing engine failures and 4 years into a redesign puts Toyota in a new category where that is concerned. The LAST thing I would be worried about is a well proven hybrid design from them.

 

[Automatic]

Another consideration is what kind of driving and the climate. I wouldn’t consider a hybrid for extreme heat/cold myself.

I would probably just get a standard gas model and use a battery tender to keep it charged since you won’t use it much. And use premium gas since fuel degrades and by the time you use it it may have become regular.

Can probably get a better deal since everyone and their brother has to have a hybrid nowadays. We have recently purchased two late model cars with very low miles at a good savings, they’re out there.

My dad gets gas in his car about twice a year.
Has had more issues with low batteries and low tire pressures than anything else.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

View attachment 219798

The gas model 5th gen RAV4 uses exactly the same electric water pump as the hybrids--the chart is incorrect. The hybrid cooling system and hybrid cabin heater system has more components and much more complexity than in the gas model.

 

[dt123]

@SomeCallMeTim #20

Agree with everything you say, but I will note for others that there is a permanent way to defeat the auto start-stop "feature." It is a small module thing that you plug into the defeater switch that simulates a button push every time you start the car. Amazon sells it and others too I presume.

 

[FKHeath]

First do you do mostly highway milage or city. Hybrid mpg great in city. Ok on highway if not using cruise control. Worse mpg using cruise control. Regular Hybrid battery is not lithium only prime is lithium

I drove to Southern Utah yesterday on I-80. I averaged 40 MPG in my hybrid, distance about 300 miles, used 1/2 tank of gas. Speed limit is 80 MPH but I drove only 75 MPH. Used cruise control the entire distance. On return trips in the past, I often take the "back roads" (US-89) where the speed limits are 55 to 65 MPH. Then I get between 45 to 47 MPG.

The traction battery in the Rav4 Hybrid is Nickel Metal Hydride (NIMH) = no fire risk.

some non-prime trims have lithium so your statement 'only primes' is incorrect

Only the LE hybrid and possibly the XLE are NiMH. My XLE Premium hybrid and above are Lithium Ion. Never heard of a fire in one. Please cite a thread on the forum where a member has had a fire in their hybrid battery.

Edit: I believe in Canada, the hybrid comes with only NiMH batteries because of Li Ion battery poor performance in the cold.

Every car I've ever owned in the last 50 years that had a glass roof panel of any kind (sunroof or moon roof) either leaked rain water, or something went wrong

Every car I have owned for the last 25 years, starting with my 2000 VW Passat, has had a sun roof with zero problems.

I wouldn’t consider a hybrid for extreme heat/cold myself.

Not a lot of experience with extreme cold, but for the last three summers I have driven to Southern Utah to hike. Zero problems with my hybrid in 115 degrees temp. Even in ECO mode, the car was very comfortable.

 

[Dimitrij]

What kinds of "hybrid issues" are causing most concern?

I bought my first hybrid (a Prius) in 2015 and since then have clocked almost 270K miles in Toyota's hybrids. I did have a few annoying issues with the 2021 Sienna, but not with its hybrid system.

 

[Skribanr]

Hello all,

First post on the forum.

My wife wants to buy a small SUV and RAV4 comes to my mind.
But it gets so many trims and I have no idea which one to buy.

Can someone give me some general idea where to start?
Personally, I prefer to buy non-hybrid to avoid possible issue down the road. The gas saving from hybrid may not cover the premium I will pay for it.

Thank you

PHEV all the way. It's great to use NO GASOLINE 95% of the time in town, but have no range anxiety for interstate trips. Add solar panels and charging costs ZERO.

 

[lbbirdz]

I purchased a 2024 RAV4 hybrid XLE Premium about 14 months ago and have been very happy. I went with that trim level despite the extra expense, because I wanted the Softex seats, which I found to be more comfortable during test drives, and I wanted the power liftgate. The liftgate on this vehicle is quite heavy. I'm getting older and I was afraid that dealing with the manual liftgate would cause problems with my arms and shoulders. I open and close the liftgate frequently. I wasn't happy about having to pay for the rest of the XLE Premium add-ons, but had no choice. Would have been nice if Toyota would let us customize a vehicle, but they don't. I don't know if gas savings and likely lower maintenance costs will ever pay for the price difference of purchasing the hybrid, but I like the increased driving range and the thought that I'm saving at least some carbon emissions. I also like the extra power when I need it. I've been very happy with this vehicle and so far have had no issues other than some of the USB charging ports acting flaky for a few months. That problem seemed to go away on its own.

 

[RobertQ]

My preference is not to ever buy the first year model of a new version. Too many teething problems. So I would get a 2025 instead of a 2026.

Back in 2015, the base level (LE) did not have adjustable interval wipers. Just off, low, hi. That was the one thing an XLE would have that I wanted. So I swapped in an XLE wiper switch on the new 2015 LE I had had for a week. Not sure that is still true today, but it is a cautionary tale.

As far as gas/hybrid/PHEV, I don't think there is an economic formula that shows the hybrid/PHEV premiums are justified. They are cool to own and fun to talk about though, so you have to credit the premium to your entertainment account.

I had a 2008 Prius, and I did the math. It was a while back, but I think it would have taken 7-10 years to make up the premium difference between, back then, a small car equivalent to the size of the Prius and the Prius itself. That figure was also dependent on the price of gas.

 

[q0987]

I really like the power liftgate feature, but unfortunately it always comes bundled with the sun/moon roof. Since the sun/moon roof is a deal breaker for me, I'm left choosing between the 2025 Hybrid XLE and the 2025 XLE.

I handle most of my own maintenance and come from a Sienna-owning background. I’m hoping the RAV4 proves to be more reliable than the Sienna in the long run.

 

[jaketulling]

Hello all,

First post on the forum.

My wife wants to buy a small SUV and RAV4 comes to my mind.
But it gets so many trims and I have no idea which one to buy.

Can someone give me some general idea where to start?
Personally, I prefer to buy non-hybrid to avoid possible issue down the road. The gas saving from hybrid may not cover the premium I will pay for it.

Thank you

Bought the 2024 XLE Hybrid last year. No regrets. The upgrades are worth it.

 

[jaketulling]

Bought the 2024 XLE Hybrid last year. No regrets. The upgrades are worth it.

Forgot to add "Premium"

 

[Dimitrij]

I really like the power liftgate feature, but unfortunately it always comes bundled with the sun/moon roof. Since the sun/moon roof is a deal breaker for me, I'm left choosing between the 2025 Hybrid XLE and the 2025 XLE.

I handle most of my own maintenance and come from a Sienna-owning background. I’m hoping the RAV4 proves to be more reliable than the Sienna in the long run.

You are not the only one who does not like glass things on the roof; interestingly, I have never had a problem with mine (I think I am on my 5th moonroof right now, touch wood). I don't use them all that often and I do not drive in very hot or very cold climes - except a few days in FL last summer, maybe that's why.

 

[Yendor the Grey]

Crisps: the tire pressure is not in the higher trim hybrid? It's in my '24 prime, but can't say about the '24 hybrid

It is available. My wife's '25 Hybrid Limited has it (see below). Check pages 411-412 of the owners manual.

It does not display by default, but can be configured to if desired.

 

[beesonmichael]

Hello all,

First post on the forum.

My wife wants to buy a small SUV and RAV4 comes to my mind.
But it gets so many trims and I have no idea which one to buy.

Can someone give me some general idea where to start?
Personally, I prefer to buy non-hybrid to avoid possible issue down the road. The gas saving from hybrid may not cover the premium I will pay for it.

Thank you

Any with ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. best feature

 

[Cavalry]

You are not the only one who does not like glass things on the roof; interestingly, I have never had a problem with mine (I think I am on my 5th moonroof right now, touch wood). I don't use them all that often and I do not drive in very hot or very cold climes - except a few days in FL last summer, maybe that's why.

I like the sun/moon roof but only the NORMAL sized ones. I do NOT like the panoramic ones. That's just WAY too much glass in an important place and most ... probably ALL will leak, some sooner than others. On my other vehicle, an F150 crew cab that I ordered new, my choice was that giant, problematic glass roof or no sunroof at all. I chose the latter. I have first hand knowledge of way too many problems with them. The thing that cinched it for me are the beams in the roof: If you look at the roof from the inside on one with and one without, it's clear to see there is a massive beam or two going across in the non-sunroof models and nothing on the pano roof models. When you view them from above, it looks like there's a 6 inches of metal all around and the rest is all problematic glass. No thanks.

I'm glad I didn't have to make that choice with my Rav4 because I like the sunroof on it just the way it is.

 

[DeaconDash]

Hello all,

First post on the forum.

My wife wants to buy a small SUV and RAV4 comes to my mind.
But it gets so many trims and I have no idea which one to buy.

Can someone give me some general idea where to start?
Personally, I prefer to buy non-hybrid to avoid possible issue down the road. The gas saving from hybrid may not cover the premium I will pay for it.

Thank you

I just bought my wife a XLE Premium, and she loves it. One step below the Limited but not as pricy.

 

[SomeCallMeTim]

I have had zero problems with my hybrid. Less than zero? Please itemize the problems that the hybrid has.



The start/stop system is not mandated, rather it is used to save fuel. Yes, the fuel economy standards are mandated, but how a manufacturer meets those standards is not mandated.

Thought they were mandated - thanks for the info.
All I can say is that BMW's implementation (at least for a rental) was a PITA and pretty much broke my obsession with Beemers... I even owned one for a couple years before this latest RAV4.