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

Example of Canadians quietly doing things just a little bit better.

 

The worst thing about objectively borderline looks for vehicles is they look dated - really really quick, then that look will often come with an equally worse stigma historic look ("eeuuuww - remember those ugly vehicles?") which really kills resale for the poor slob once they want to unload it - even when it's a decent car otherwise. Some manufacturers, on the other hand like to go style radical, because that way when they change the style, everyone knows that your car is now officially old & the other owner has the new one.
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Weird expression. There's no such thing as objective aesthetics. People's tastes vary all over the place. For example, I think the Model 3 is ugly and the Prime isn't (except for the back). But my tastes tend to be quite different from the mainstream.

 

I agree that more powerful batteries could be made. My point was, at least with the Prius Prime the design of the battery seems to be power-limited. Specifically, as I drive I can watch the Discharge Current Limit on Hybrid Assistant change depending on the temperature and state of charge. If power wasn't a limitation, I would expect more of that variation would be outside normal operating conditions (for example you might not see the power limit start to change until the battery gets below freezing). I would expect batteries with a similar size/weight/power/capacity ratio like the Rav4Prime to have similar limitations. Like you said, it's a trade-off. And since it seems to be a limiting factor in the trade-off it isn't "free" power.

 

I will definitely look at it when it is available next year. In 2017 our local dealer tried to sell us a RAV4 when they had no Primes in stock. One thing that impressed me was what the salesman called "birds eye" cameras, where instead of just a rear camera, you could see all around the car with them. I noticed that Washington has recently passed a law to eliminate the sales tax on EVs that sell new for up to $45K. A PHEV that gets over 30 miles on EV qualifies. That is about a $2500. savings. Not sure what the Federal tax rebate would be.

 

The Camry hybrid LE is rated 51mpg city and 53mpg highway. The XLE and SE are rated 44mpg and 47mpg. Much of that difference is because of the larger wheels. The Canadian hybrid LE is equipped with the same 16in alloys as the ICE LE, and its ratings don't break 50mpg, IIRC.

 

i like the idea of a plug in rav4. i don't like the idea of 40mpg

 

Watch what gets traded in on it. I think it's likely to be a lot of 20-25MPG SUVs

 

agreed. the rav4h is fabulous at 40mpg. but i can't go backwards

 

Just to add... I think it'll have less to do with a desire for MPG than a desire for performance, and other fast SUVs of trade-in age are getting "twenty-ish"

 

My question is since the Rav4 Prime will get almost double the range in electric mode, what will Toyota do to the Prius Prime? Will they attempt to go the Volt route and design a similar battery and get the Prius Prime 50 miles in EV mode or will they finally make the Prime a full electric that every Prius owner that doesn't want a Tesla thats been asking for for years.

 

I used to think just like that. I'll tell you why I don't now - Prime experience.

I do very close to 100% of my in-town driving electric only. If I never leave town, I'd use a tank of gas about every decade.

When I do leave town, it's not very frequent so the mileage doesn't matter much.

With 39 miles of range vs 25 (electric only), I'd run the engine even less frequently.

 

My crystal ball is no better than yours... but if the RAV4 plugger sells well and the Prime continues to er, do the opposite... I'd half expect them to say "Ah! We had the right idea, we just started with the wrong shape" and discontinue the Prime altogether.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they did that. Which would be a shame for people like me who love the Prius and dislike SUVs. But depending how the sales go, it would be smarter to get rid of it and just stick with the RAV4 plug in and eventually reintroduce the RAV4 EV. Although I'd would expect some pretty decent mark downs on the Prime if it is discontinued.

 

But will they reduce the cabin noise?

 

Thats what I'm saying and I really do hope they go that path instead of discontinuing it all together. Guess you can call me a Prius fanboy lol

I wish they could be more affordable options with full EV or plug in EV conversions because I love my V but it won't last forever.

 

Think it will have lane trace assist or some similar self-driving/lane-following technology beyond adaptive cruise?

 

good point. i might have a hard time using the engine at all with that range

 

so, what don't we know yet? mpg's? price? lost space due to battery size?

i hope they didn't give us all the good news first