Featured RAV4 Plug-in Coming In 2020 (Page 4 for deets)

but a larger pack in rav4 is going to go fewer miles than a prime

 

i do not know - looking at some motorcycles with air-cooled fins size versus bikes with water jackets, the air-cooled volume between radiating fins seems like they take up more room. iirc, the same refrigerant in some EV's for cabin cooling, also cools their packs, so one would think they'd just need more condenser coil to support both purposes.
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This is going to be a really overpriced car if they pull off the same pricing as prime vs prius normal. I feel as this is a compliance car at best vying for those rebate dollars. Hopefully they don't make the trunk area smaller like the prius prime.

 

it will likely start out compliance, then hopefully, move toward the center of the country like prime has, with tons of inventory at every dealer

 

As an added benefit to USA customers this vehicle will be manufactured right here in the Central United States at the Georgetown Kentucky Toyota Plant!

https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=KentuckyGovernor&prId=905

The Kentucky Plant makes 4 Hybrid vehicles for Toyota- Hybrid Camry, Hybrid Avalon, Hybrid Lexus ES300 and now Hybrid RAV4

 

The plug-in version of the Rav4 which is a separate model from the hybrid Rav4 which is distinct from the ICE Rav4. My bet is the early ones are Japan as is typical of Toyota. Prove the production techniques there and then export the processes to other factories/countries. The march press release mentions nothing about the plug-in.

So do you have another source for that KY production story?.

 

You are correct about the plug in being Japan sourced. When I saw RAV4 I connected the recent announcement about the Hybrid RAV4 being built here to the Plug in. The Plug in will not be built in the US - yet.

I do not think any plug ins are made for Toyota in the US yet

 

don't forget, doing your fed taxes correctly, you can get a $7,500 credit (presuming the RAV4 plug-in pack is large enough to get the whole amount) Although the prime's Fed tax credit is smaller, some buyers end up paying less for the prime than they would if they had purchased a regular Prius, especially if your state kicks in credits or rebates as California does.
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Dealers in the Midwest (or Minnesota at least) certainly don’t have tons of inventory at every one.
I am very encouraged by Toyota offering a plugin version of their RAV4. 10 years ago my wife and I would be taking a look at it.
I just hope we will see them here in Minnesota quicker than the Prime’s.

 

Yes, it's possible. Here, the non-PHEV has 3 rows of seats - but very little boot space. But then a lot of 3 row non-people-mover cars don't have much boot space. I remember my 2 old VW Microbuses from the '70s which had good luggage space and 3 rows, but then, the driver sat almost at the front of the vehicle, something which wouldn't happen now.

 

You know, I think we are just going to have to wait until the product is released to answer a lot of these questions.

I'm speculating there will be some degree of cargo loss/interior space loss, due to the battery pack. As clever and ingenious as the designers can be, and have been, a battery is a battery and takes up space.

Then besides that, I'm optimistic that it could be a great product. Toyota's pretty damn good at these things.

 

Having just suffered a flat for the first time in 25 years, spare tire presence matters. Even the availability of a replacement tire can be crucial. I was amazed that in a 2+ million metro area with Rav4s everywhere, there were 2 tires in my size/brand/model in the metro area. None of the dealers had any. Cost me about 2 days and more than $1k total to replace the tire and get the TPMS reprogrammed. And one very disappointed 8 year old grandchild.

 

wow, that's scary. sounds like bmw territory

 

a lot, true but it really turns how they are configured. Our 3rd row folds into the floor, either in ⅔ or ⅓ sections. With 3rd row seats up, that space back there is pretty cavernous.

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RAV4 plug-in could be very interesting.
I do hope that they use a heat pump for cabin heat. It, combined with the AWD system, be the ideal car for my wife and me when they start to come available on the second hand market.

I am a bit scared about the price though, a nice RAV4 Hybrid AWD easily goes past €50.000 here (around $55.000) due to our tax structures and high sales tax.

 

The normal Rav4 hybrid already uses a heat pump for AC and an electric heater for heat.

 

They seem to change if there is an electric heater depending on the climate of the country sold. It is something to check.
If it does use an electric heater it would be nice. My wife could drive to and from work in EV mode and the hybrid mode can be used for family visits and vacations.

I looked at the Kia Niro PHEV and it has to use the ICE to heat the cabin so for about 6 months a year you can't drive in true EV mode with that car.

 

really?
what does that mean? not electric a/c compressor? no heat from the engine?

 

Which car is that?

 

school bus