19 Rav4 Hybrid

It is also only $800 more than the AWD ICE model.

Which is another reason to not see many discounts on the hybrid. The buyer isn't paying for most of the 'hybrid premium', Toyota is with the profits of the ICE AWD system.

It's the norm for Toyota. Their Yaris still has a 4 speed automatic in the US, and we got the latest valve timing system in the Corolla years after the rest of the world, and then only in the upper trims.

Another option for my second vehicle is an used XC 70.


The gaps in the trim of the Adventure does negate the entire point of putting it on though.

 

My Dad has a slightly older Toyota Rav 4, ICE....

I'll tell you what I like about it.
Speaking primarily as a passenger, I like it's height, stance and the outward visibility. I don't feel like I'm riding in a "Monster Truck" or driving something that is compensating for something else.
But in traffic, it has a good height, and I feel I can see everything I need to see. It's a very good height.

My Dad, has two dogs. And the Rav 4 works well for transporting them. And it's big enough to be utilitarian enough to work well for most trips to the Home Depot, or Big Box Food Mart.
My Dad opted for the 4 cylinder model and I think he's always been slightly disappointed in the MPG. I can't remember now what he said he was averaging but I do remember him saying that if he knew the MPG he was going to get with the 4 cylinder, he would of just opted for the 6 cylinder. But he's never been so disappointed as to look for change. I think he's keeping it until it simply isn't viable.

I haven't seen the Hybrid version. But I'd say I'd 41 mpg for anything like my Dads Rav 4 would be impressive.
Sometimes I think Prius owners lose this perspective. But my Dad's Rav 4 is a significantly bigger vehicle than my current Honda Fit. And I hover above and below 30 mpg combined. So basically with the Hybrid Rav 4, you're driving an smaller SUV sized vehicle and getting 11 mpg more than I am, driving a sub-compact. That's great IMO.

I'm a right tool for the job guy. Or at least that's my Mantra, and I don't need a vehicle the size of the Rav 4. But if I did? I think 41 mpg and being able to drive a Rav 4, is great.

Hypocritically however, I admit I don't know why the idea of the Rav 4 at 41 mpg, impresses me, while the Toyota Prius v, never did. It may be as pedestrian and simple as I compare the Rav 4 to my Dads Rav 4...and anything named Prius...to Prius.

 

The new Rav4's MPG will be impressive to a buyer no matter what one they look at. Most of them will be comparing the numbers to the older car they currently drive.
Compare Side-by-Side


Included my current ride for comparison; a 2016 Camry with 4 cylinder. My lifetime calculated fuel economy is just over 34mpg. Now most of my commute is more highway than city, but the only 'mod' on the car for most of the time is tire pressure at sidewall. The only 2019 Rav4 that has a worse EPA rating is the AWD model without the auto stop system, and it is only down by 1mpg in the highway rating.

 

Maybe, but we are in Prius Chat and talking about the Hybrid Version.
And I have no idea what may or may not impress individuals looking at separate vehicles. The Rav 4 is a popular model. So yeah, I'd expect the ICE version will continue to be popular.

I don't know if the Hybrid Rav 4 can steal buyers away from it's own ICE brethren. I tend to think hybrid buyers, start out looking at Hybrids. But I think Toyota would love it, if the Hybrid Rav4 could expand the audience of 1st time Hybrid owners.

 

The original Rav4h was the first hybrid to beat the Prius in sales. My friend's wife replaced a Tahoe with one. With it being just $800 more, in MSRP, than the AWD ICE model, the new one should do well.

Personally, I want a BEV for my commute, and an ICE car for hobbies and long trips. Doing under 7500 miles a year, I don't need it to be a hybrid, but would like good fuel economy. I don't trust the electric AWD system to do well crawling a mile or two through loose sand, and with the ICE model likely doing slightly worse than my current Camry of trips, I don't have to take a gamble that it won't.

 

The parts for the hybrid likely weren't available for introduction with the rest of the model.

I believe Honda intends to bring the hybrid CRV to the US. I think I read about that before the Rav4 hybrid arrived. while Honda is big in the US, and a big company overall, they aren't a big car compnay, so doesn't have the resources at their disposal like Toyota does. Then they handled the problems with their earlier hybrids badly, and are being more cautious on introducing new hybrids. The new Accord hybrid wasn't offered in the US during its second year because some issues came up back in Japan.

 

I'd be careful and let the new model be tried by others before I'd buy. Either Honda or Toyota. I've had 2 really bad Hondas, one good. 5 Toyotas, all good. I haven't been impressed with the service that people have been reporting over at crvownersclub. Too often dealers are dismissing complaints and Honda isn't much help.

Let the wisdom of the crowds be displayed on the forums as someone else is the beta tester. Buy the third year as they start introducing fixes and improvements to goose sales. And read the appropriate forum to see what owners think of the model.

 

They talk about Aerodynamics:
"Form and function combine in taillights and exterior door handles which have been shaped to contribute to aerodynamic stability."

All-New 2019 Toyota RAV4 Breaks the Mold for the Segment It Created | Toyota USA Newsroom

 

The Rav4h is starting to trickle into the US and there are starting to be online reports of drives and ownership. Be a while before non-early adopter prices can be determined. First drives say quieter than the ICE version. And faster off the line. No EV but then where is the SUV EV that you can buy in all 50 states at anywhere near the $30-40k price..

 

Now, I didn't check all 50 states, but a couple of non-CARB ones, and it is possible to push the price over $40k.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Plug-in Hybrid | Mitsubishi Motors

 

When I saw the 2019 version of the Rav4 hybrid I was impressed. I miss having a vehicle with more interior room both for long trips (we like San Diego) and "honey do" trips to the local Homedepot. I like the rugged look for the 2019 and I like how the rear portion stays level for more head room in the rear. The shortest person in my family is 5' 9" and the tallest is 6' 4" so rear interior room is a premium for our family.

 

My wife and I have driven both the gas and hybrid versions of the 2019 Rav4. The gas engine sounds noisy and rough on acceleration, the hybrid sounds much smoother. Better acceleration is also noticeable. When taking foot off the accelerator, regenerative braking seems a little stronger than my 2010 Prius, maybe because both front and rear regen is happening. It didn't seem excessive but if you want to coast a long way you have to put your foot on the accelerator a bit. No biggie and just a first impression.

Overall, we liked it a lot and have put a deposit on one. We will keep the Prius, trade our 11 Y.O Nissan Murano.

 

If the 2019 followed the previous gen in output, and I think it did from eyeballing tow ratings, the hybrid drive train is the more powerful one.

 

219 total HP IIRC

 

I currently drive a Prius V wagon and I have test driven the 2019 Prius AWD e . I was very impressed with how much improved it is. Very serene drive on the highway, and also peppy acceleration.
Waiting to test drive a RAV4 hybrid.
I am thinking this AWD e will meet my needs for less $$$.

Has anyone else done a comparison?

 

My wife just went from a Prius v, which we loved, to a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid. Her primary reason was all the new safety features but another important reason was the higher profile of the RAV4. There are an awful lot of jacked-up pickups and other vehicles on the road in CO and AZ and my wife felt like she'd get steamrollered in the lower profile Prius v. So far she's completely satisfied with the RAV4 Hybrid, where she is getting 40 - 41 mpg compared to 43 - 44 mpg in the v.

 

that's a lot of vehicle for only a couple mpg.