2017 Prius Two or Rav 4 Hybrid?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Shelley12, May 25, 2017.

Tags:
Page 2 of 4
  1. Shelley12

    Shelley12 New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2017
    17
    6
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    I'm very much interested in a car that has a high MPG.
     
    #21 Shelley12, May 25, 2017
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,128
    16,360
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Well that's where marketing comes in lol..

    "People want the features of a van/wagon without the look of a van/wagon."
    "Ok, how about we raise the vehicle, shorten the length and charge the equivalent of the next class up?"
    "Great idea!"

    And the cute-ute was born.


    TBH the RAV4 is probably as good as it gets if you don't want the "van' look. It has the look you want, as good as an MPG you want (given the rest of the criteria), the cargo space you want (particularly the golden retriever), the passenger space you want and it's within your budget.

    Hmm, there is also the C-Max and C-Max Energi (hybrid and plug-in hybrid respectively) but I don't know if that looks like a "van" to you. It's a tall hatchback. C-Max is probably a better bet as the Energi's battery takes up space in the trunk that it'll be hard to carry both dogs and (future) strollers at the same time.

    There's the Rogue Hybrid, new for 2017.

    The CR-V is all-new for 2017.

    Alternatively, you can look for a used Highlander Hybrid (preferably 2nd generation... 2008-2013 MY. There was a slight power bump and mpg bump for 2011 as it switched to the newer 3.5 litre engine vs. the old 3.3 litre).

    How soon do you need a vehicle?

    If you can get by until the first child arrives, Subaru is planning a few more "electrified" vehicles. One candidate is the Crosstrek (currently in mild hybrid form but I wouldn't recommend it as the mpg gains isn't as great. It only gets slightly better mpg than the larger, heavier Highlander Hybrid!) for the new PHEV drivetrain. Other rumours suggest the Forester or Outback might be another candidate. If so, that might work for you if you're ok with an Outback or Forester.

    Subaru PHEV possible next year, pure EV in 2021 - Autoblog
     
    #22 Tideland Prius, May 25, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    12,285
    11,620
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    #23 Prodigyplace, May 26, 2017
    Shelley12 likes this.
  4. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    1,391
    544
    0
    Location:
    Santa Monica, Ca. 90405
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    In the long run, I think you would be happier with the Rav 4 Hybrid in the long run. Also I think the Rav4 will hold it's value better.
    I bought a new Prius 2 in 2011, dumped it in 2013 for an Avalon Hybrid, never looked back, feel I went from a penalty box to a comfortable car, still get better mileage than most cars.
     
    #24 Munpot42, May 26, 2017
    Shelley12 likes this.
  5. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,185
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    @Shelley12 may I suggest you visit your nearest/favourite Toyota dealership and have a really good look at each of these cars. I have had a test drive in a Rav 4 hybrid and it's very nice, smooth and relatively quiet for a 2.5 liter gas engine. On my drive of mixed urban and highway driving I got over 40mpg (UK) which is about what Tideland P. suggested you'd get in USA. Seats were very comfortable and the room behind the back seats is taller than the space in the Gen 4 Prius. Ok, I chose the Prius because it was so much more economical to run, handled better and it's futuristic technology. Good luck in your choice.
     
    #25 RCO, May 27, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  6. Shelley12

    Shelley12 New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2017
    17
    6
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    Thank you so much. I did test drive both a few weekends ago! I liked how futuristic the Prius was, definitely would be a huge jump from my current 2000 Nissan Maxima, I very much liked how the Rav 4 drove and how open it felt inside. I felt like I coulndt see much out the back window of the Prius :/
     
    #26 Shelley12, May 27, 2017
    RCO and Prodigyplace like this.
  7. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    1,389
    951
    4
    Location:
    Foot of Pikes Peak
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    If you can wait a year or so, the next generation Rav4 hybrid may be released in the fall of 2018 as a 2019 model. It will be based on the TNGA platform (same as the current Prius) which should improve handling and will probably use the next gen Camry Hybrid engine (using current gen Prius tech improvements) which should mean about a 20% improvement in mileage to the upper 30's or maybe even 40 mpg average.
     
    #27 royrose, May 27, 2017
    Mendel Leisk and Prodigyplace like this.
  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    12,285
    11,620
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    Perhaps a good used Prius v would work for you until the new RAV 4 is released.
     
    #28 Prodigyplace, May 27, 2017
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,128
    16,360
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    This.

    Someone posted a screenshot from the LV dealers' meeting. The next Camry Hybrid is expected to get "over 50 mpg". This will (most likely as an educated guess) translate to 40 mpg for a RAV4 Hybrid if it were to use the same next gen hybrid system. (That's basically what the current Camry and Avalon Hybrid get now, so it's a significant bump).
     
    #29 Tideland Prius, May 29, 2017
    RCO, royrose, jerrymildred and 1 other person like this.
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,517
    14,132
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    WOW! A 50+ mpg Camry would be spectacular. We loved the two 4 cylinder Camrys we had a decade or so ago.
     
    #30 jerrymildred, May 29, 2017
    Tideland Prius and RCO like this.
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    12,285
    11,620
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    My brother-in-law is still trying to kill my 1996 Camry.
     
    #31 Prodigyplace, May 29, 2017
    Tideland Prius and jerrymildred like this.
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,128
    16,360
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    #32 Tideland Prius, May 29, 2017
    jerrymildred likes this.
  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,517
    14,132
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    #33 jerrymildred, May 30, 2017
  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    12,285
    11,620
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    #34 Prodigyplace, May 30, 2017
    Tideland Prius and Mendel Leisk like this.
  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,517
    14,132
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    #35 jerrymildred, May 30, 2017
  16. Prime Example

    Prime Example Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2017
    58
    99
    0
    Location:
    Shenandoah Valley
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
     
    #36 Prime Example, May 30, 2017
  17. Prime Example

    Prime Example Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2017
    58
    99
    0
    Location:
    Shenandoah Valley
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I have two words for you: Kia Niro
     
    #37 Prime Example, May 30, 2017
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    12,285
    11,620
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    Toyota Hybrid experience & reliability.
     
    #38 Prodigyplace, May 30, 2017
    ShenmueTacos likes this.
  19. Shelley12

    Shelley12 New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2017
    17
    6
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    I have looked into that one actually! I don't know much about Kia or how reliable it is...plus I'm pretty sure the Niro is Kia's first hybrid...don't know if I want to take a chance on that
     
    #39 Shelley12, May 31, 2017
    Prodigyplace likes this.
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    12,285
    11,620
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    The Prius gets better than its EPA numbers.

    I see the Niro is supposed to get 52 mpg city / 49 mpg highway.

    Fuelly shows the average if 32 vehicles is 46.7 mpg, below the EPA numbers. Most get 44 mog.

    upload_2017-5-31_17-44-15.png

    From Kia Niro MPG - Actual MPG from 42 Kia Niro owners
     
    #40 Prodigyplace, May 31, 2017
    RCO and jerrymildred like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 4