I believe that is already the RAV4H. It is an SUV and a Hybrid. There is also the Highlander Hybrid. that is an SUV
I suspect a Prius SUV is in the works and it will use the 2.0 litre HSD from the new Auris. That 2.0 litre HSD may also make its way to RAV4 Hybrids outside of North America.
RAV4 Hybrid definitely seems to fill some of the expectations of what people would have of a Prius SUV, but doesn't it still go a bit against the "philosophy" of the Prius (fuel economy above everything else)? It seems to me that with even the new RAV4 Hybird Toyota targets the regular compact SUV buyer who does not necessarily have fuel economy as a strong priority. Even if the new RAV4 Hybrid achieves the Prius V mileage, wouldn't the same drivetrain applied to a smaller vehicle still appeal to some people who see RAV4 as overly large and heavy? A Prius SUV would probably aim at the people who value fuel economy very high, but also want a higher ground clearance than Prius V, as well as an AWD option. If this is what Toyota is trying to do, judging from the links (and from how the vehicle looks), then perhaps, indeed, we will see a new, larger Prius (Prius L?) soon.
It seems everyone is trying to create a new niche market like the Prius did back in the day. Gas being relatively cheap the last several years hasn't helped things. I bought another Prius because I like the car and the fact that it gets great gas mileage is a just a plus.
The RAV4 hybrid is what people want, though. Crossover SUVs are selling like gangbusters. From what I understand very few people place fuel economy at the top of their shopping lists anymore, it's merely a bonus after the required check boxes of high ground clearance (because perceived safety), tech features, and all-wheel drive, in that order. Add in sales-hungry dealers and retailers that do everything they can to "put you in a RAV4 today" and you have a recipe for sales success. As an aside, when I was searching for my v wagon, I contacted a bunch of dealers that had one on the lot. A few days after they returned my calls saying that the v wagon(s) I was looking at had been sold, I started getting calls asking if I would consider a RAV4.
We can hope that AWD is optional on the Hybrid models for 2019. All-New 2019 Toyota RAV4 Serves Up a Breakthrough Debut at New York International Auto Show | Toyota
The dealer gave me a loaner for a day when I had the clear bra put on my new Prius and it was a 2016 RAV4 but not they hybrid version. When I buy a car and I touch it there has to be some kind of magic at that moment, the RAV4 did not even give me a tingle.
Wow long thread! I am thinking Camry Hybrid for me only because my wife has strong preference for sedans. But the other surprising thing I noticed, when you look at quoted total volume, 2018 Camry is not bigger than Prius. I posted volumes in a prior thread. Camping and lots of miles argues for a liftback Prius. Lack of spare is a concern, but you can make the floor level by using insert cheaply made out of hard foam insulation from Home Depot or Lowes. If you are handy you can put your own spare in too per some threads here by cutting a hole in the Toyota-supplied rear foam interior. You still get the indent for the spare in the base metal chasis of the vehicle.
I think my 1996 Camry LE rode much better than my 2017 Prius Two. That can be a determining factor too, especially for long trips.
I average 36 in the Avalon and averaged 44 in the Prius, as far as comfort, think park bench vs leather recliner.
This is my main concern, really. I am not terribly picky in terms of comfort, I am young and sporty and can easily handle average-comfort rides - but with that said, 1-2 week long trips are probably going to be much more enjoyable in a more comfortable car such as the Camry or the Avalon, than the Prius. If the question is "Would the Prius do?", the answer is definitely "yes"; if the question is "Would I enjoy it long-term?", then the answer is much less certain. Ride, seat comfort and noise levels are my only reasons for considering Camry and Avalon, rather than jumping straight at the Prius. The Prius really excites me in how it is designed, in how it looks both from the inside and the outside, it has a definitive futuristic vibe. But I can't help but think that perhaps a more traditional comfortable sedan will make me more satisfied long-term. And, of course, it is far superior in terms of cargo holding and camping utility. Thanks to everyone for the feedback! I understand very well now the upsides and the downsides of the considered models. Prius V is at the top of my shopping list, followed closely by Avalon Hybrid, then the regular Prius and Camry hybrid tied for the 3rd place. In the end, it all depends on what offers are available on used models. Will let you all know what I end up picking.
If you are looking for a new car the Prius v is no longer an option. I know the 2018 Camry Hybrid is based in the latest Gen 4 hybrid system. I do not know if that is the case for the Avalon.
The Prius v is still available in Canada (sorry @Prodigyplace, just making sure that any Canadian that reads this knows that the Prius v was discontinued in the US market for the 2018 MY but soldiers on in Canada.
I am looking into buying one of the used cars, tentatively from 2013 to 2016. For Prii specifically, there are decent deals on the 2016 models, albeit I wouldn't particularly mind a Gen 3 Prius either (and to be frank, I like the look of the regular Gen 3 Prii quite a bit more than the Gen 4 version ). I plan to do some test driving, but not necessarily for every single car from the list. As long as I've test driven a regular Prius, a Prius V and one of the hybrid sedans, I think I will have a decent grasp on which I prefer. Hoping to get a Camry for a 1,500 mile drive in early December. I wonder if it is possible to buy the Canadian 2018 Prius V from the US. As far as I understand, a car needs only to satisfy certain standards, such as the emission standard, to be purchaseable by a US resident?
I know. I was hoping you would write "the Prius v is discontinued in the US" Best to check with US customs and the EPA for import standards. The car is/was sold in both countries and typically Canada follows the US standards anyway (cheaper to manufacture if we just use your standard) so unless there's some obscure detail, it should be import-able. Plus, given the exchange rate, you get a "discount" when converting the MSRP to USD.
For 2015 the Prius v has a strengthened front end frame to improve crash test results. The Gen 4 Prius performs much better in the tests than Gen 3. The 2017 tested with less headlight glare than 2016.
