I am not enamored with the hybrid SUV fad. I will not replace my Prius v with the Rav4 hybrid or the Sienna. For many years Toyota offered a Camry wagon. They should start offer it again. The Taxi cab companies as well as delivery companies would likely purchase them.
The Rav4 hybrid is the defacto replacement at the same pricepoint. You have to buy the low trim model but it comes with all the safety tech that a v trim 5 used to have as an option. In reality the Venza (only available as a hybrid) is closer in size, quieter, more powerful, more reliable and has all safety tech. Low end maybe $2k more than a v.
that's why we have the sedan, mrs b doesn't like the high stance. a 50mog wagon would be great, but i wonder if they would sell?
Because the malleable-minded American public has been convinced that a wagon is a boring family vehicle -- just marignally better than the much-maligned minivan... and that an SUV or Crossover is somehow cool. They've also been convinced they simply cannot possibly navigate our treacherous roads without all-wheel-drive. BTW: when I was a young single guy just out of college, I had a Toyota minivan. It was a great vehicle.
Just looking at RAV4 Hybrid: I REALLY don't like sunroofs, and I see the only way to avoid is with the base model, which nixes the LED headlights, smart key and push button start (maybe no great loss??), and power tailgate, .
I agree with you, Mendel. I do like LED headlights but prefer the ones that replace the standard H11 incandescent ones. $30 a pair on Amazon and much less expensive to replace than the hundreds that OEM LED replacements would cost.
Actually, the RAV4 Hybrid XLE can be had without a sunroof if it's ordered without the Convenience Package (includes height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection and power tilt/slide moonroof with one-touch open/close). Trouble is most of the XLE Hybrids seem to come with that package, so the ones without it are rare. I wish Toyota would make a smallish hybrid like the Prius V again that uses the same 1.8 liter engine as the Prius. A small tall wagon with sliding side doors would be ideal.
Comes down to volume, and the SUV craze has already strained car volumes. Pretty sure a Camry hybrid wagon would sell well, but now they have to contend with the new EV craze. A Camry hybrid wagon would likely come in at the Rav4 hybrid price. There are some great wagons out there now, but most are European models that are $$$$.
