My great little 2009 Gen 2 Prius was totaled. Wanting something a little bigger, a little higher off the road. To satisfy my paranoid tendencies after my accident and also because of winter weather (I'm in the Midwest, near Chicago). I have to say I love how the RAV4 feels and the hybrid was even better. You seem to loose some visibility on the sides but there are good safety features that compensate. Safety is top priority. The Prius V drove nicely but I got a headache. Not sure why. It is a little higher up than a standard Prius, but not by much. It gets better mileage than the RAV4 hybrid of course. Cargo area in both is sufficient. Price between the two is close so not a determining factor. I would welcome your thoughts.
Drive them some more and decide for yourself. I traded my 2013 v for a Rav4 HV and am happy with the choice.
Yes, it is something I will decide for myself. I was just asking if anyone could share their experience. You did... and thank you. I have two logons... this "makar". Sorry.
I live in the South so AWD was not an issue, I got and am very happy with the v. If I lived near Chicago AWD would be a plus!
I'd strongly recommend the Prius v. We traded in our Mazda CX-5 (similar to a RAV4) for the Prius v and couldn't be happier. Safety is also a huge priority for us too, as we travel with our toddler and dog. Plenty of space and fun too. My wife's best friend drives a RAV4 so I'm familiar with it. Much prefer the Prius v. And the better mpg of course!
Well the RAV4 Hybrid has the (obvious) benefit of AWD so with a set of winter tires, it'll be a capable winter vehicle. The Prius v is a tad more spacious for rear passengers with a touch more rear legroom and the ability to slide the seat forward/back (both vehicles have reclining rear seats). The Prius v should have a more comfortable highway ride because of its "Pitch & Bounce Control" system which monitors the pitch of the vehicle and uses the electric motors to counter the motion, resulting in a flatter, smoother ride. The RAV4 has the latest in safety equipment with Toyota's TSS-P system. The Prius v does have a similar system but it's the last generation. On the other hand, the Prius v with LED headlights has just been rated as "Good" in the IIHS' new headlight tests ( New IIHS ratings show most headlights are lacking ) The RAV4 Hybrid has the convenience of an optional power liftgate with adjustable height settings while the Prius v has plenty of underfloor storage compartments and a flat load floor from bumper to front seat (there's a slight rise in the RAV4 Hybrid). Since safety is top priority, I'd go with the RAV4h with TSS-P. There's also an available Bird's Eye View Monitor w/ PanoramaView Feature. It's basically an overhead stitched camera image (like Nissan's AroundView) with the additional benefit of being able to see around the car, as if you were walking around the car, by pressing a button.
I had 2006 Prius, and I was hit by 2008 Rav4 (frontal crash), both car was salvaged . After accident my body felt sore, but what hurt more was my hands hitting dash. As far as psychology effect, I became more defensive driver. I tried to understand at bit more about prius car crash test, went to youtube, and found many information viewing crash test. My suggestion are: 1. If you really do care about safety, car maintenance and defensive driving are the key for you to prevent automobile accident(my experience). You will have no control on other drivers, regardless what digital products options you purchase for your car. 2. I recommend reviewing car crash test videos on your interested vehicle(s), you will learn alot about the vehicle(s). 3. Did I mention about focus while driving (part of being defensive driver)..not texting, not having phone in your ear, no speaker phone, not reading... As far your decision purchasing between hybrid Rav4 and Prius v, depends on your characteristic and life style, usually peoples want does not equal what people need/require. If I were you, I would look why you buying hybrid Rav4 vs regular Rav4 vs Prius v. I view Rav4's and Prius having similar standard safety features, pricing for the vehicle are similar, similar cargo space, similar depreciation value in % terms, but fuel spend will be different. Compare in % terms, reg Rav4 vs hybrid Rav (advantage 27%), regular Rav4 vs Prius v (advantage 62%), hybrid Rav 4 vs Prius v (advantage 27%), so if you spend $1000 on fuel annually for hybrid Rav4, or spend $730 on Prius v will pend $730 or spend $730 on regular Rav4. Using my example numbers, I will choose regular Rav4 or Subaru Forester.(Forester definite). Using environmental, technical advancement and reduction fuel consumption information I will choose Prius v. Using want(feeling) decision, is/are endless. Whatever I or other say should not hinder doing your own due diligence in making your own decision. Correction ..spend $1270 on fuel on regular Rav4.
If the AWD of the RAV4 Hybrid wins out over the v, I'd then recommend you also look into the Subaru Outback. It's very popular up north for its all weather capabilities. Surprisingly, it has more ground clearance than a Tahoe and most important to me when I purchased: the most amount of safety for the least money in a large wagon/suv style vehicle. It actually has better hwy mpg than the Rav4 hybrid and the loaded premium OB with all safety equip. comes in about $3k less. It's very popular so don't expect big deals and it's not uncommon to have to order to get the exact car you want. FWIW
Factor in the uncertain future of the v and the RAV4 makes sense. I've driven my v 30k miles, love its cargo utility and gas consumption. Drove a Rav4 Hybrid maybe a mile and was impressed with the conventional information display placement, the seeming quietness of the ride in comparison. I don't use any high mileage tricks and get EPA MPG on the v. I do have a sound meter on my phone and one of these days I'll take some readings and compare the two though it won't be fair as one has 30k on the tires and the other is riding on new ones. Just to confirm my impression. I don't like the multi color/fabric interior color schemes of the RAV4. I don't see a lot of them on the lots or online. For utility, probably pretty even. For winter, the RAV4. For depreciation, the RAV4. For MPG, the v. I suspect a RAV4 hybrid with all the safety features off the lot is going to be more than a v with as similar as you can get. I've been trying to configure a loaded Rav4 for 3 days, unfortunately southeast toyota has been unable to do it. When I got to a non-SET site, my Rav4 build got to brushing $37k. I wrote up a list of the best and worst features based on many people's online comments and my own experiences of the v here. It is for the '12 model v 3 and was as honest as I could make it. No car is perfect. (I have owned at least 30+ cars, from Porsches, Alfas, Plymouths, Pontiacs, Fords, etc going back to the 60s. v the most trouble free.)
Haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but the RAV4 hybrid also offers some towing capability while the prius v does not. That might be a factor in your decision.
They really are completely different cars, I'm not sure a comparison is fair to either one. I was glad to give up 10-15 MPG in exchange for a better, quieter ride and AWD, but not everyone will be.
I have a prius v, I live in Montana. I have a 15 mile (one way) commute to the school where I teach. The road is twisty and narrow with a 1,000 foot elevation gain, lots of snow and ice. The v was very good on it, I had studded tires.
Here's an opinion: Yes they are two different cars, ride height, comfort for example. If you find both interior comfortable, driving visibility, purchase price/ resale value and road/ride feel the same... The 4 wheel drive and ground clearance may be the deciding factor....do you live where it snows? The decision is yours.
We traded our 2013 non hybrid Rav 4 xle AWD for our 2014 Prius v three a year ago. My wife was / is the primary driver on those cars. She was averaging 17 mpg in the Rav!! That's insane for a 4 banger, even with AWD. I can accept low double digits in my HEMI RAM since well it's a huge V8 with 390 HP, not so in a gasser Rav.. She loves the v as she well over doubled her Mpg and still has plenty of cargo room plus it rides great. It's our road trip car too. Heading 700 miles or so each way in a couple weeks to S.C. With it. A hybrid RAV4 is certainly an option for the next go around, it just wasn't available last year to buy or test drive.. We shall see. To the op, take each one on a nice extended test drive and see which you prefer
Yup! And considering for that surcharge you also get better acceleration & "AWD" which really is best for when you drive assertively from a stop at an intersection & instead of all the wheel slip from surprise sand/dirt or water you just go forward instead of that short pucker moment when traction loss just compromised your driving decision I think it's a no brainer.
