Topic: 2019 Toyota Rav4

[EV Dan]

Saw a 2019 Rav4 on the freeway today, looks so good.

When will you fix your avatar? The pic is blank on my side. 

Better? 

No but whatever floats your boat 

[EV Dan]

Euro model Hybrid. Unfortunately they don't know if it's a FWD or AWD as there are two models available over there 
In any case the drive begins at 26 min and the engine, cabin and road noise could be heard. The verdict? NICE 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pcYRFlLe0

[Dante]

Finally saw the Trail trim in person at the Autoshow.... I could not believe that the door panels in a $41K car, in the second last highest trim, are still hard plastic top-to bottom (except for the arm rest) and all around....Left kind of disappointed to be honest.... I'm really trying to like this car as it seems a rational option for my next purchase, but it gets harder and harder with each encounter... And this was not the only cheap feeling part of the interior...

I recall watching/reading many (I should say all) reviews from the California press event last Nov and they were all praising the improved interior quality and how improved it is over the outgoing model.... The old version must've been really bad or the wine and cheese at the upscale resort was really good and they did not want to get uninvited next time....

[EV Dan]

Saw a Limited Hybrid on 401 yesterday, in the same silver colour.

Real world off road test of the Rav Hybrid. I think what it needed most is proper tires. Nonetheless, very impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdjb8CrAA6w

[dirtyjeffer]

Real world off road test of the Rav Hybrid. I think what it needed most is proper tires. Nonetheless, very impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdjb8CrAA6w

that's the beauty of "real world" testing...in the real world, these things rarely leave the pavement, and if they do, it's a gravel road or the lawn at the park as its most challenging drive.

[EV Dan]

Real world off road test of the Rav Hybrid. I think what it needed most is proper tires. Nonetheless, very impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdjb8CrAA6w

that's the beauty of "real world" testing...in the real world, these things rarely leave the pavement, and if they do, it's a gravel road or the lawn at the park as its most challenging drive.

While the above is true, the most "off-road" happens in snowstorms when you need to get uphill. Having good constant hp and torque at the rear axle is a big plus which is also nice to find out before buying a car, so that's when these tests come in useful.

On-road drive of an XSE hybrid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxGfM6SHnKc

[ltruong]

I see a ton of these. They are everywhere already and they looks really good both  trail edition& limited

[johngenx]

I see a ton of these. They are everywhere already and they looks really good both  trail edition& limited

No kidding, wow, the new RAV must be selling like nuts.  Traffic is filled with them already.

[Robin2]

And they are.... hybrid came out much later in production and they're way behind.

We test drove a base LE hybrid and it was ok but to buy..... 8 month wait list!  crazy.

If we buy one, it will be XLE hybrid. 

[dirtyjeffer]

And they are.... hybrid came out much later in production and they're way behind.

We test drove a base LE hybrid and it was ok but to buy..... 8 month wait list!  crazy.

If we buy one, it will be XLE hybrid.

i like them, especially the hybrid, but i'm just not sure i'd spring the extra cash over a loaded Soul (for what i need).

[PJungnitsch]

We rented an LE over the weekend to get a better idea of what it is like

-seems like a lot of car for the money, with the seat heaters, blind spot detection, radar cruise, auto stop, carplay, 8 airbags. Some nice extra touches like indicator mirrors

-the rear view screen is not that visible in some lighting, but does have the predictive lines and a wide/close setting. Also seems to have park sensors backing up

-the bulky hood is not so bad for my wife if the seat is up at the top, but the steering wheel is then too upright and the armrests are out of reach

-leaving the seat up all the way as my wife had it, still had a couple inches headroom for me

-back seat had tons of knee room, but seemed a bit low

-engine gravelly pulling away, but quiet at speed. Not slow, but the hybrid had a lot more get up and go

-seats seem comfortable to me, she finds them hard. Would know more on a long trip

-the cubbies in the dash are a great idea, but finished in hard plastic and everything in them skitters around

Overall, thought it was an amazing deal at around thirty grand, but we'd go for the hybrid if we go this way



Why the engine is a bit noisy, no hood pad!:

[EV-Light]

We rented an LE over the weekend to get a better idea of what it is like

-seems like a lot of car for the money, with the seat heaters, blind spot detection, radar cruise, auto stop, carplay, 8 airbags. Some nice extra touches like indicator mirrors

-the rear view screen is not that visible in some lighting, but does have the predictive lines and a wide/close setting. Also seems to have park sensors backing up

-the bulky hood is not so bad for my wife if the seat is up at the top, but the steering wheel is then too upright and the armrests are out of reach

-leaving the seat up all the way as my wife had it, still had a couple inches headroom for me

-back seat had tons of knee room, but seemed a bit low

-engine gravelly pulling away, but quiet at speed. Not slow, but the hybrid had a lot more get up and go

-seats seem comfortable to me, she finds them hard. Would know more on a long trip

-the cubbies in the dash are a great idea, but finished in hard plastic and everything in them skitters around

Overall, thought it was an amazing deal at around thirty grand, but we'd go for the hybrid if we go this way



Why the engine is a bit noisy, no hood pad!:

A rental already hey?


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[rrocket]

A rental already hey?

Not sure what you mean....rental companies add to their fleets with new cars all the time.....

Won't be long before new RAVs and Corollas are everywhere at rental places.

[OliverD]

A rental already hey?

Not sure what you mean....rental companies add to their fleets with new cars all the time.....

Won't be long before new RAVs and Corollas are everywhere at rental places.

Yes but manufacturers don't tend to dump brand new, in-demand models into fleets.

[EV-Light]

A rental already hey?

Not sure what you mean....rental companies add to their fleets with new cars all the time.....

Won't be long before new RAVs and Corollas are everywhere at rental places.

Yes but manufacturers don't tend to dump brand new, in-demand models into fleets.

That’s what surprised me...I read things like ‘short supply’ online, turn around and Toyota already sold some as rental units?! Hmmmmmmm


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[johngenx]

The Hybrid is in short supply. Regular RAV production is meeting demand.

The Hybrids pricing is going to make getting one potentially difficult. It’s easily the best value RAV. There are some production limitations not faces by the standard RAV.

[dirtyjeffer]

A rental already hey?

Not sure what you mean....rental companies add to their fleets with new cars all the time.....

Won't be long before new RAVs and Corollas are everywhere at rental places.

Yes but manufacturers don't tend to dump brand new, in-demand models into fleets.

That’s what surprised me...I read things like ‘short supply’ online, turn around and Toyota already sold some as rental units?! Hmmmmmmm

the LE is the base trim...and most rental places carry a variety of vehicles to satisfy a wide range of customers...if your Toyota is in the shop because it was in an accident, it's nice to have a Toyota as a rental since you're familiar with it...this isn't new.

[dirtyjeffer]

Why the engine is a bit noisy, no hood pad!:

i don't think the hood insulator would do much for sound intrusion into the cabin...you would need insulation on the firewall area for that, since it's the only "wall" between the engine compartment and the interior...also, most hood blankets are for fire suppression or to prevent excessive heat from damaging the hood over time.

[PJungnitsch]

The hybrid has the hood pad, and it is a fair bit quieter. Then again, the engine does not have to work as hard of the line either as the electric kicks in off the bat

Anyway it was very likeable generally, I could certainly get used to it.

Seemed quite similar to the CRV as far as size and driving dynamics went

[Dante]

A rental already hey?

Not sure what you mean....rental companies add to their fleets with new cars all the time.....

Won't be long before new RAVs and Corollas are everywhere at rental places.

Yes but manufacturers don't tend to dump brand new, in-demand models into fleets.

I would look at it as good and cheap marketing tool unless it's done in large volume to boost sales numbers which probably Toyota doesn't need to for this one.