19 Rav4 Hybrid

I believe the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid will be setting the bar for others to follow. The horsepower/mpg ratio is something Toyota needs to "brag" about!

 

I just read an article about the 2020 Highlander Hybrid. It said that the new HiHy will have (essentially) the same 4 cylinder engine that is in the 2019 RAV4 hybrid. Apparently the new ICE is a significant improvement in Atkinson cycle engine technology. You can imagine how peppy the RAV4 Hybrid feels, even my wife never stops talking about it. BTW, she is edging on 41 mpg on her initial tank of gas.

 

I wonder if they will increase the size/power of the electric motor on the rear axle to compensate for the greater weight over the Rav4.

 

TOYOTA Australia have put a BROCHURE of 2019 RAV4 online in case anyone is interested:

https://www.toyota.com.au/main/-/media/toyota/main-site/vehicle-hubs/rav4/files/rav4_online_brochure_may2019.pdf?la=en

 

Hmmm - which tag line? I don't feel any.

 

"oh, what a feeling"

That is an old tag line for us, wasn't it in the 80's?

 

Screen grab from Alan's brochure link:



Vs 2019 Honda Fit Owner's Manual screen grab:



PLEASE Toyota: stop being clever, deliver a Heating/Ventilating control interface that you can use WITHOUT practically driving off the road.

 

That must be a very old Fit (Jazz here) - here is the current one:


But, yes, I prefer buttons and knobs.

 

Alan, I believe all but top level Fit, current model year in Canada (and states too?) have the controls as I posted. That's a screen grab from 2019 Owners Manual. I wouldn't be suprised if the top level touch screen is adopted on lower levels though, as we "progress".

 

Oh - that's the only one in Australian Jazz - seems Honda does regional differences like TOYOTA. I'd have expected that yours would simply look like this:

 

I long for the day when a button or knob for each HVAC function, not an integrated touch panel that costs many many hundreds or thousands in parts to replace.

I want to be able to make the change I want and need while in urban traffic without wandering through menus and total distraction from safely driving. There are enough events that come up in the course of the driving I do that I want to be able to make changes by feel and instinct and not by wandering down a decision tree that requires me to precisely place my finger within a large screen and achieve the right pressure point to get to the next menu item. I also want the safety items to be immediately usable by the person who only drives the car every 6 months. That means lights, HVAC, turn, cruise. And the speedometer to be digital and large enough that it is readable fast and easy and not marked in tiny increments up to 160 MPH that makes maintaining a 25 MPH speed where required a stressful exercise.

No problem with set it once items to be behind a menu. No problem with set it while you are parked items to be behind a menu. But for things I need NOW, I don't want to have to do anything but reach and feel all the while keeping my eyes and attention on the idiot in front or to the side of me.

 

Yeah my big nit with our '10 is the steps required to set the HVAC system to direct lots of air to the windshield, in humid conditions. Yes I know you can hit the front defog button, but I want to set "Mode", to the one that sends air to the windshield and the feet. And as long as I'm on a rant: I'd really like one more mode (Toyota...), that sends ALL the air to the windshield. N'mind the feet, they're fine. Please.

Anyway, to accomplish this, I've gotta take my eyes off the road, look down, find the MODE button (a flush button in a row of similar buttons):



Then maybe glance up at the road again, do steering correction, then look down and push aforementioned button, and look at the wee LCD display, see what hieroglyphic it's displaying, mentally process if it's the correct one or not.

Then maybe another steering correction, and repeat, 'till Heat/Defog comes 'round. Go too fast, you'll go past it, and can start again.

The place this usually occurs is entering the Barnet highway, from the west, at night, in rain, and it's a twisty road.

 

I can relate. Just to get all air to the windshield, you have to do the settings before you drive.

 

With the Fit: grab this dial, turn it counterclockwise as far as it will go, done:



Sorry for being completely off-topic, btw. Sorry, sorry.

 

I read somewhere the 4Runner is top rated for owner satisfaction.