Will this Year’s Venza Hybrid take my v’s place? Probably

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by rjparker, May 26, 2020.

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  1. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Personally, I'm interested to see what the Corolla Cross will look like....assuming it is released in the USA at some point.
     
    #21 farmecologist, Jul 27, 2020
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The Prius v has literally no sound deadening under the hood, in the doors or the back. A good audio shop could add it but the existing rear audio is so poor I never splurged in that manner.

    I noticed the new Rav awd hybrid has a pad under the hood at minimum and it sounds more like a Camry on the road. The reports of even better road and noise deadening in the Venza combined with more power, all wheel drive, Prius v proportions and similar mpg “sounds“ like a winner.
     
    #22 rjparker, Jul 27, 2020
  3. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Look at the cargo carrying capacity. That sloping roof line takes away a bunch. And the rear seat leg room. Other than that, the Venza looks like it is just a plusher Rav4. Now if it was a plug-in....
     
    #23 mikefocke, Jul 27, 2020
  4. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Hmm..I thought the Venza *is* a reskinned Rav4....am I not correct on that?

    One thing I love about our Prius v (wagon)...noise or not...is that it has a ton of cargo space. (y) It was a great replacement for our small minivan ( Mazda MPV ).
     
    #24 farmecologist, Jul 27, 2020
  5. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    My v seems tiny compared to my Previa Mini Van.
     
    #25 Tim Jones, Jul 27, 2020
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    It is on the same architecture, wheelbase, hybrid system and electric awd as the Rav hybrid. Its actually longer by a few inches in the back. The attraction is a better interior, smoother ride and lower noise than an already decent rav. Essentially a cross between a sedan and suvs by today’s standards. Which was the v’s spot in the past.
     
    #26 rjparker, Jul 27, 2020
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  7. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    You would look great in this...perfect for you.....! honda_600.jpg
     
    #27 Tim Jones, Jul 29, 2020
  8. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Honda_Insight_Back.jpeg
     
    #28 Tim Jones, Jul 29, 2020
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  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I still see an old Insight running around occasionally. But if the Venza is not a fit when I can see it I will “default” to the Rav’s 300 hp plug in version if Toyota ramps up production soon enough. Reports are it is also better insulated from engine and road distractions as well.

    B3E9E6F7-CD80-4319-A13F-E67B10611A2A.jpeg
     
    #29 rjparker, Jul 29, 2020
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    #30 Tideland Prius, Jul 30, 2020
  11. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Savagegeese review
     
    #31 rjparker, Aug 3, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2020
  12. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Looks like a total nightmare when they get older...... but otherwise It looks good.
    I really like total electric....... I rarely go over 200 miles a day.
     
    #32 Tim Jones, Aug 3, 2020
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I haven’t watched the review yet. Why would you say that? What did he point out? (Presumably in the “shop” segment?)
     
    #33 Tideland Prius, Aug 3, 2020
  14. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I was thinking when one has 175,00 + miles.... that rear electric motor.... $$$$ hugely ugly dash control center..... and having problems with all those under body panels..... I'll never own one...... by the time these are 5 or six years old full electric will be common.
     
    #34 Tim Jones, Aug 3, 2020
  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    My plan is to sell after 150k unless its fully depreciated by that time. Electric motor problems are one thing you don’t hear about even on the old hybrids. I agree that too much touch screen reliance is not a good thing from an ease of use or safety standpoint but I generally learn and use the voice commands and steering wheel controls. The voice commands on my 2012 v are far superior to even the latest Honda crv equivalents. Voice was the only way to set destinations on the v’s nav while moving. Setting up favorites made driving functionality very easy.

    As far as full electric goes, assuming you have reasonable commutes or a second gas vehicle, a Chevy Bolt or Tesla Model 3 is affordable right now. I have no doubt many evs will make 500k miles with a new battery or two as their only major maintenance. But living in Central Texas it is nothing for me to jump up to north Austin, drive around and come back on the 85 mph super speedway (Hwy 130), covering 250 miles. Throw in fulltime ac and range still becomes a problem even on an $80k Tesla. Obviously a trip to Big Bend would need a charger stop along the way. I like the idea of a plugin vehicle but I understand why Toyota, Honda and Ford have not gone full monte no engine yet.

    But you are right, in five years my one day driving range may be reduced significantly and perhaps panasonic cell kits will let me pick up a used Tesla S. For others full ev is as close as the Chevy dealer for the price of a decked out Rav. I will get there but likely with a gas vehicle for long trips.

    Finally the Toyota hybrid warranty of 8 years 100k miles and 10 years 150k miles looks pretty good. 8FBE12B9-F7B2-4614-ABB6-C19E6D827B45.jpeg
     
    #35 rjparker, Aug 3, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2020
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    How's the rear elec. motor different than MG1 or MG2 in all the other Toyota hybrids? I haven't heard of one failing in a Prius (though statistically, there must be at least one but I guess we won't hear about it).

    Also, it's "mechanically" similar to the RAV4 Hybrid, of which, there are many being sold so if it is a problem, there's gonna be a massive recall since Toyota will have to recall the RAV4 Hybrid too. Not the RAV4 Prime since it uses the Highlander's motors.
     
    #36 Tideland Prius, Aug 4, 2020
  17. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Why yes...your statement is spot on. (y)

    However, the Mazda MPV was a pretty small minivan and felt more like driving a car ( I loved the fact the rear windows rolled down ). Still much larger than the v though. The v was a good middle ground at the time due to a few things :
    • Kids were teenagers and didn't 'need' the van anymore.
    • The MPGs of the MPV wasn't great...but decent for a minivan.
    • The MPV was rusting...badly. In fact, we switched away from Mazda due to the awful rust problems they had. I hear they fixed that...but I'm not going back. We had three Mazda vehicles with rust issues! :eek: I'm really, really impressed with how Toyota seems to have mostly defeated the rust issue. I still see spotless Gen 2's around here...in MN!
    • I got a great deal on the v..but it ended up needing a lot of work ( see link to post in my signature ).
    With those things said...I still do miss the space in the minivan. However, if I take the rear seats out, there is a ton of room. I do this when I move the kids to/from college, go on road trips, etc...

    Our next vehicle will probably be another downsize....I'm really interested in the Corolla Cross! With THAT said...I wish the hybrid sienna was out while we were shopping for a van! (y)

    2021 Toyota Sienna | Toyota Official Site
    • The "long-slide captain's chairs with built-in ottomans" in the 2nd row looks awesome!
     
    #37 farmecologist, Aug 4, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2020
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  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I remember getting a Mazda5 (I guess spirtual successor to the MPV?) and loved the seating position and compact sized. Didn't like the stereo or the automatic transmission though. Loved the hidden storage spaces (we had the GT version).
     
    #38 Tideland Prius, Aug 4, 2020
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  19. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Hmm...come to think of it, maybe the Mazda5 is a better comparison to the v than the MPV is. However, I always thought the Mazda5 looked a bit odd.....literally like a shrunken down minivan. (y)
     
    #39 farmecologist, Aug 4, 2020
  20. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    I have 3 kids and many, many, many cars have 2 seats as the second row. So that rules them out for me. Same with the Alphard (saw many in China).
    I did look at the Sienna, and the way you can get the 8 seater AWD if you can get hold of some spare rails for the seats iirc. But since they are rarer than hens teeth here (Netherlands), the chance of finding parts (rails/chairs/etc) at a junkyard are non existant. And we pay silly amounts of roadtax (based on weight) and our gasoline is 2-4x more expensive, so it was a fun dream while it lasted.

    Is the hybrid option new? I thought they only had the 3.5V6 and no hybrid option. Maybe I'll look at them again in a few years when the second hand Hybrids pop up...

    Stumbled in here from the Gen2 forum because I was looking at a V (called Wagon or Plus and has 7 seats here) and wanted to know what to look out for, but it would have been an impuls buy (8 years old, 100-150k miles, >10k$ is the going rate for cheap ones here) . It was just for a holiday of a week and since I just fitted a roofrack on the Gen2, we'll manage...
     
    #40 R-P, Aug 4, 2020
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